The Key To My Heart

Chapter Four

Leah's POV
I had been with Devan and his family for a week, when I woke up to yelling downstairs. I slipped to the top of the staircase, and then felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around to see Collins, who put a finger to his lips. We snuck to where we could see who was yelling, and I gasped, pulling away and hurrying back to the room I was sleeping in, Collins close behind. I curled up on the bed, shaking.

"No. No, it can't be. They can't be here. They couldn't have found me." Devan hugged me, and Collins gently rubbed my back.

"Who was it?" He asked, whispering.
"Its my mom and dad. I don't know how they found me! I didn't leave anything, and I don't think Kelly knows where you guys live." Devan sighed.
"But she saw me, and she probably recognized me. And from there, it would be fairly easy to do the rest. Find out address, and they'd find you." I started crying quietly, hearing the shouts get even louder. Devan hugged me, whispering to me. Collins slid the dresser in front of the door, and moved the bed on front of that. We heard thundering footsteps, and then pounding on the door.

"Hey! We know you're in there! You kidnapped our daughter, and we want her back! Open this door, now!" Collins dug around in the closet, coming back out with a plastic whiffle ball bat and a foam t-ball bat. Then, I heard sirens, and Devan went to the window.

"Police. It'll be alright." We heard shouts, and more footsteps on the stairs. Finally, it quieted, and there was a gentle knock.
"Leah? Boys? You all can come out now." Devan stood again, helping Collins move the bed and dresser. Their mom stood there, a tired look on her face.
"Are....are they gone?" She nodded, hugging me.
"I'm so sorry, sweet girl. I didn't know." I nodded, fighting the tears. I wasn't even safe here. I had to do something. I couldn't just stay here and put Devan and his family in even more danger. I only had one choice. I'd have to run. That night, I packed my stuff, leaving a note. I slipped down the stairs and our the back door, somehow without anyone hearing me. I couldn't stay in California, otherwise they'd find me again. I headed for the bus station, thinking. One of my best friends, Jenna Cooper, lived in Nashville, Tennessee. I could go there, stay for two years, and then come back. I had to get away somehow. I ran, not looking back anymore. It was time to leave all this behind. But....What about Devan? I shook my head. He'd move on. He would be able to move on. I couldn't. I couldn't be with him either. I was too broken and messed up. Things just wouldn't work.

Collins POV
I knocked on Leah's door the morning after, trying to wake her up.

"Leah? Leah! Pancakes and bacon! You awake? Leah?" My mom looked up from the bottom of the stairs.
"Stick your head in, make sure she's okay. Yesterday was pretty hard for her." I nodded, opening the door.
"Leah? Le-" I dropped my phone, shocked. The room was empty. She was gone, her stuff was gone, and the bed was made. I went in, seeing a note on the nightstand. I picked it up, reading it, and ran down the stairs. Devan and my parents looked up at me, confused.

"She's gone. Leah's gone." I tossed the note onto the table, letting them read it.
I know you're really confused right now, and I'm sorry, but just finish reading this. I should never have come. My coming only put you all in danger. If you knew what my dad and mom have done in the past, you'd understand why I say that. I'm so sorry I led them to you, and I have to do this. I have to leave. If I stay, they'll only come right on back, and you all could get badly hurt. I couldn't live with myself if that happened to the first people who have ever truly cared about me. Don't go looking for me. Don't try to find me. This is like a deadly disease. The more I'm around you, the more danger you're in. I'm sorry, but you can never see me again. Thank you for everything you did for me. I'm sorry I can't repay you, and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am. Thank you again, and goodbye. Leah Isabelle Jones.

I saw the shock on everyone's faces as they read it, and the pain in Devan's and my mom's. Leah was kinda like the daughter she'd never had. And now she was gone. But where? She had said don't try to find us. When people say stuff like that to me, I take it as a suggestion. I was going to do everything I could to find Leah, no matter what.