Escape {COMPLETE}

~Chapter Fourteen~

Patrick's P.O.V.

She looked so innocent and vulnerable. Her mascara was smudged down the line of her cheekbones, obviously from crying. I wanted to go over and comfort her....

"I wanna go through the tunnel, over the road." The soft comment took me by surprise, and I looked over at her in curiosity. "I mean it." She murmured. Her voice was so weak...hoarse. All I felt like doing was giving her a big hug.

But I knew that wouldn't be enough.

I caught in the middle of the conversation. Rachel was saying, "Don't worry. We'll call you if you find anything." while laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sure, I guess," She muttered darkly. Damn, what'd he say to her?!

Nick and Rachel and Anna started walking towards the door, with me unwillingly following. Hannah started to step towards the escalator, and we reached the door, the rest of the gang filing out. I nearly closed the door, and looked back at her. She was starting to turn and watch us, but Nick yanked me outside.

"Come on, Patrick, you'll get plenty of time to stare at your girlfriend once we find Erin. And not to mention kill the bastard who took her in the first place." I nodded. Erin and I had been friends since, what, fifth grade? We rode the same bus to school every day, through middle school, and even now. I missed her. She always made me laugh.

"OK, so, where do we begin?" Rachel sighed and asked, glancing around. "Well, didn't Hannah say that Blaze told her about a cabin in the woods?" I remembered. I could scarcely believe I could even recall the words coming from her mouth; I couldn't stop staring at her hunched, frightened stance. She usually stood tall, proud. I looked up at the tunnel, ignoring the buildings of the Mall. I searched for the familiar face. I finally spotted her, staring darkly at the street. I wondered if she could see me...

"Patrick, snap out of it, boy!" Nick snapped, waving a hand in front of my face. I swatted at his hand. "Dude, knock it off!" I sighed and looked back up at the tunnel, and I noticed someone else heading for her. It was nothing special; just Sean. I wasn't worried about him. Even though he still had a huge crush on her last year....

I shoved the thought away. All that was over, they hate each other now.....right?

I faded from my thoughts, catching onto the middle of what they were saying. "...to the woods and look for a cabin or something." Rachel was saying, defiance glittering her blue eyes. Nick and Anna nodded in agreement. I was still looking up at Hannah and Sean. They seemed to be yelling at each other....

"PATRICK!" Rachel and Anna screeched in my ear. "GAH, WHAT??" I jumped, having a mini-heart attack. Rachel smirked. "Come back from lalaland long enough to join us in plan-making," She said calmly. I relaxed my muscles, still staring at her. "I heard enough! We're going to the woods, right?" I clarified, my voice still sort of shocked-sounding. "Yeah, you ready, or will you keep staring at-" He looked up at Hannah and pointed to her. "Ew she's with Sean!" He whined. I rolled my eyes. "It's fine."

"Aren't you worried he'll rape her or something?" Nick asked sarcastically. "No, I'm sure she'll kick his ass if he even tries." Nick and Rachel burst into giggles, failing at any sort of attempt to stifle it. "We should really get to those woods.....Erin's out there, somewhere, just waiting for us." Anna suddenly became serious. I nodded. I was really determined to find her, even though I hardly get any chance to talk to her. Well, other than us riding the bus.

"True dat," Rachel's face danced with laughter. "Where's the nearest forest?" A knowing grin plastered itself on Nick's face as he answered, "There's one off Clays Mill Road, past the first turn to Copperfield." I nodded. "Yeah, I think I've seen those before...but that's a very small forest. Too close to civilization." Mumbling agreement, Nick shrugged. "A criminal's got to be secluded so no one can hear the victims' screams..." He meant it to be a joke at first, but it only pressed on our determination to find Erin. He better not hurt her....she doesn't deserve that. I thought to myself.