Love Thaws: Melting

Can Run, Can't Hide

Elsa tossed again. Sleep simply wouldn't come. There was an unease seeping into her body that made her restless. Elsa laid flat on her back and stared at the ceiling, contemplating the cause of her unease. With a moment's hesitation, she decided it was Jack. Not Jack himself, of course, but he seemed to be constantly on guard. She noticed how he'd do a quick sweep of their surroundings habitually or how he kept glancing outside. He was watching—no, waiting—for something. Or someone. Did he realize that this peace was too good to last forever? Elsa bit her lip. The trees whispered outside, stirred by the wind. With a sudden pang of guilt that stole her breath, she realized she was the problem. Solely her. The only reason he was in danger was because she was in danger. Elsa turned slightly. She could barely make out Jack's form in the dark. Elsa reached out until her fingertips barely touched his cheek. She was endangering the most amazing man she'd ever met—the man she loved. Elsa swallowed, trying to suppress the tears that threatened to cloud her vision. She inhaled deeply. Jack had been so kind and selfless. He's risked everything for her. And she would do the same.

She summoned her courage and quietly slid out of the bed. Elsa padded down the stairs, avoiding the creaky areas. She sat down on the cold wood and slipped her boots on before grabbing a coat and a few items of food. She stuffed them into the spacious pockets of the coat, hoping Jack wouldn't mind terribly. There was no way she'd reach the highway or a nearby town without some provisions. She toyed with the idea of writing him a note before snatching up pen and paper. 

Jack would worry himself sick when he found her missing. The least she could do was leave a note telling him that she hadn't been kidnapped. Her hand trembled as she poked a period into the end of the sentence. Doubt crept into her mind, casting shadows on her bold plan. Elsa clenched her jaw. Jack would not die because of her. She inhaled deeply and tried not to think about what she was going to do. Elsa swallowed and silently turned the door knob. With little effort, it opened, allowing an icy blast of air inside. Elsa quietly shut the door behind her. 

The air was sharp and cold and dry, tinged with pine. The snow was soft and crunched lightly underneath her feet. Her pace began to slow the farther she wandered from the house. She forced her feet to keep a steady marching rhythm as she trudged through the snow. She was reluctant to leave, reluctant being an understatement. It felt like her heart was being torn in two. Elsa swallowed and continued plodding down the faint path leading to the highway. Once she got to the highway, she could only hope a friendly driver would give her a ride and wouldn't recognize her. The path became steep and curvy. Elsa leaned back slightly, taking slower steps to avoid rolling down the hill. Fierce determination swelled within her. Each step she took farther from Jack, was one more step away from endangering Jack. With her new mindset, walking became easier. She was giving Jack the chance for a new—a regular—life, filled with peace and joy, no threat of kidnappings by the government or being shot by random people. There was only one problem. 

What if Jack followed her?

XXXXXXXX

Jack's face was buried into the soft pillow. Elsa had been so restless moments earlier and then she'd left suddenly. Jack figured she needed a drink of water or a trip to the restroom. The minutes trickled by. He felt a combination of dread and unease burrowing into his heart. He waited. More seconds, more minutes. Jack swung his legs off of the side of the bed. He couldn't stand waiting anymore. Elsa still hadn't returned. Why hadn't she come back? A myriad of questions plagued his tired mind. He knew it was paranoid to think something bad had happened to her. They had just been eating gingerbread cookies and opening presents.

"Paranoid or realistic?" he asked himself out loud. 

No answer came. 

His increasingly morbid thoughts were enough to make adrenaline course through his body. He flung the covers off and sprinted downstairs, his feet impacting the wooden stairs with a solid 'thud.' "Elsa?" He checked the bathroom, the living room, the basement.

"ELSA!" Cold sweat iced his skin. He climbed out of the basement and into the kitchen. 

A bright yellow piece of paper caught his attention, and he wondered how he didn't see it before. More cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He snatched the note. In his frantic state, all he saw was black scribbles. A moment later, he could make sense of the words.

Jack, I haven't been kidnapped, if that's what you're wondering. I'm perfectly safe. I've decided to leave. Jack, I care for you deeply and appreciate everything you've done for me, all the sacrifices you've made for me. Please don't be upset. I'd love to stay at the cabin, and it makes me sick to leave you, but it's for the best. Thank you. For everything.

Elsa

The note crumpled in his hand. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd just read. Jack's face paled and the room spun before his eyes. He leaned against the counter to steady himself. One thought filled his mind. I have to find her. He struggled to calm himself, to think logically. He wouldn't get far. Nausea churned in his stomach. 

She was gone. 

The word echoed tauntingly in his mind. He propped his elbows on the counter and buried his head into his hands. Think! He analyzed the facts, digesting them slowly. Elsa couldn't have been gone for more than thirty minutes. He raced to the window. It was fogged over with frost. He swung open the door and found the car where it should be. There was a trail of footprints, leading away from the cabin. The snow was quickly covering her tracks. She'd gone on foot. He could catch up to her easily. The highway was miles from the cabin. 

He forced himself to slow down, to not race down the path after her. Jack grabbed his wallet, keys, water bottles, granola bars, and his pistol. He sprinted to the car and slammed the car door shut after him before he started the engine. Windshield wipers slid the snow off of the window. He began driving, meticulously following her fading tracks. He would find her. 

Jack clenched his jaw, suppressing his irrational fears. By morning, she'd be safe and sound in the cabin. He would scold her thoroughly before cuddling with her by the fire. His wife would be cradled in his arms, protected from every force of the outside world. The car abruptly jerked to a stop. The footprints veered sharply to the right, vanishing into the forest. That was fine, he'd just outrun her. He turned off the car without a second thought and got out, closing the door behind him. The car handle felt smooth and icy underneath his palm. The snow was cold and feathery as it fell on his face and dusted his hair. 

He sprinted into the forest, occasionally avoiding a branch. He was forced to slow when the trees got thicker. He still ran recklessly, not feeling anything but a numbing sting where branches had scraped him. 

The footprints stopped. 

Jack's pace slowed, his mind reeling. The footprints stopped. He stopped down and touched the last set of footprints. His nausea increased. 

The footprints stopped. 

He clenched and unclenched his fists, urging his mind to think. Footprints weren't the only way to track someone. He could— The faintest of crunches. Jack felt a prickling sensation from his ears as they focused on the noise. Another faint, light crunch. Like footsteps. In one fluid move, the cold handle of his pistol found the palm of his hand. 

Jack whirled around, his heart lurching. The silhouette, veiled by shadows and trees, continued strolling towards him at a leisurely pace. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Jack's eyes widened. The chuckles sounded like icy barbs.

"Ah, Jackson Overland. After all these years... Truly, it's a pleasure to finally catch up to you again." He flashed Jack a wicked grin.