Not to be found

Chapter 22 - Why so protective?

~Lacey's POV~

"Why?" Mike questions Noah from downstairs as I am busy packing some clothes into a duffle bag.

I agreed to go away with him, for the sake of my sanity and the trust that I have in him.
On the way back we talked things over; agreeing that we would tell Mike and Julie whilst we were away so that they could have time to process it before we got back.

"Because I've taken time off work, and it would be a good idea to get out of here for a while," Noah states in a monotone voice, clearly bored of his fathers interrogation.

I hear Mike sigh, "that's still no reason to up and leave Ark."

"Well, I think it will be good for both myself and for Gracie."

I sit down on the bed for a minute, listening to them going back and forth. Father and son. Like a game of tennis; sending the ball across the court and then returning it swiftly to the opponent.
I've done this. I cannot be responsible for tearing this family unit a part. But at the same time, Noah is all that I have left. I have to be selfish don't I?

"Let them go," Julie chimes in, "Noah deserves a break from his work, and I'm sure Gracie would love to get out of this house too!"

I love it here but yes, yes I would love to get out of this house! I think I'm going stir crazy.

"Let them go Mike," she attempts to reason with her husband, "they'll both be safe, we know where they are it's our house for crying out loud."

Silence takes over as Mike deliberates us leaving the safe confinement of his home.

"Fine," I hear a long sigh, "but you're to stay in regular contact."

Why is he so protective? I mean I know it's his son and all but still, let him go. He's 19 years old. A very intelligent 19 year old who graduated university very early. I know my parents are overprotective but still, I didn't think Mike was this bad.

"We will dad, we'll call everyday I swear!" I hear Noah comply to his fathers wishes.

The family meeting disbands in the living room, and I continue to pack up my remaining belongings; tooth brush, inhalers, socks and not to mention my phone that has been switched off since the...what shall we call it? 'Incident' happened.

I throw it into the duffle bag and then zip it up, throwing it over my shoulder and taking one last look back over my shoulder at my beautiful bedroom; my sanctuary.
As I step out of the room I walk into something solid, I know it's not a wall so I look up, it's Noah's chest.

"We seem to be making a habit of this," he chuckles as he looks down at me, a twinkle evident in his deep hazel eyes.

I cover my face with my hands trying to hide my embarrassment and mentally scold myself for not using my eyes like every other person on this planet does.
"You could say that," I sigh, "or it could just be my very clumsy nature."

"There is nothing wrong with clumsiness, especially since I'm guilty of it myself," he says as he reaches for the bag resting on my shoulder.

I cling onto the bag, wrapping my fingers around the strap.
"I've got this," I say to him, being the stubborn one that I am.

"Okay, okay," he says as he raises his hands up in surrender, "ready to go?"

"Absolutely!" I say trying to contain my excitement.

*************************************
It's 2am, me and Noah have been on the road now for 2 hours.
It took us an hour to say goodbye to Mike and Julie and so we didn't leave until midnight. Julie seemed happy for us, allowing us to go and giving me a warm small and a comforting hug before she went to her son placing a kiss on his cheek. Mike on the other hand gave him a quick hug and me a quick show of his teeth something that I do not call a smile.

The darkness is welcoming, the only light coming from the the front of the car and blue glow from the dials.
I feel my eyes beginning to get heavy, my head spinning and my limbs going numb. But before I can let the darkness take over I feel a hand placed on my knee,
"Lacey?" I hear a distant voice call, "Lacey?"

I roll my head over to the side towards the source of the voice, "mmmhhhh," I groan trying to get my eyes to focus. Noah.

"Do you want to stop for coffee?" He asks, "we still have another 2 hours to go."

"Mmmm, sounds good to me," I mumble as I rub my eyes.

He chuckles to himself and pulls over.
Geez I really am out of it. Maybe I need this caffeine more than he does.
The service station is practically deserted, which is something that I don't mind because it means that I can't be spotted. Before Mike and Julie could see me I snuck off upstairs to reapply my make-up covering up that revealing scar on my lip, keeping my identity a secret for just a little longer.

I unclip my seatbelt and open the door stepping out and being blown away by the wind that is bitterly cold. I pull my jacket around my body, and walk to the front of the car, Noah taking my hand in his as we walk towards the entrance.
I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel anxious before walking into these places, any place in fact that involves seeing members of the public. Because there is always a chance that someone might be smart enough to suss me out, and then I really am screwed. I've made it this far, there is no way I can go back now. Noah said that I am safe with him, I have to have some kind of faith or belief in him.

"What do you want?" Noah calls me out of my trance, "you seem distant are you okay?"

I feel a warmth rush into my cheeks; embarrassed again, "yeah I'm fine just lost in my own thoughts I guess, I'll have a cappuccino please."

"Okay, but if you want to talk I'm always here," he reassures me.

I smile up at him and then take the coffee out of the machine, we pay and head back to the car.
I buckle my seatbelt and take a sip of my coffee, the caffeine having a reverse effect.
"So how far away are we again?" I ask, placing my cup in the holder.

He takes a sip of his coffee and places it in between his legs, how that doesn't burn I do not know.
"Around 2 hours away," he says as he stifles a yawn.

"Are you going to be able to drive all the way? Because I can take over," I suggest, concerned in case he falls asleep behind the wheel.

"Nah I'll be fine, just need my caffeine fix that's all," he confesses.

I'm usually the same but this time it's having the opposite effect; making me drowsy and dopey.
Gosh I need sleep. No Lacey no, you need to stay awake you need to stay awake for Noah. Maybe one minute won't hurt, just one minute, just a minute........

"Sweet dreams Lacey," I here a far away voice call, and then darkness.