The Gifted [INDEFINITE HIATUS]

4 • Rel

A split second after I have started sprinting away, I realize how stupid the decision was. What was I thinking?

The answer is simple. I wasn't.

But it's too late to turn back now. If I wasn't guilty, I wouldn't have run. The very fact that I did implies that I have done something wrong. No amount of lies can cover that up now.

So I do the only thing I can: sprint, as fast as I can. I need to outrun these police officers, get out of sight and to safety. Then I can worry about finding Sage and Asher. In the meantime, Asher can worry about what he'll do when I get my hands on him, because if he hadn't suggested the idea of going to the Examination in the first place, I wouldn't be in this situation right now.

I mean, I know it's essentially my fault. First of all, if they actually do know I did something illegal, it's obviously my problem that I did that thing in the first place. But those people could have been staring at me for any reason. It didn't necessarily mean they suspected me of breaking the law. So, second of all, I made it worse by running.

I like having something to blame on Asher, though. He really pisses me off sometimes.

Right now, I can't focus on that. My attention is on getting away. Thankfully, I am much smaller and more light on my feet than these grown police officers. If they catch up to me, I'm probably done for.

Oh, if only I hadn't pulled that stunt in the bank last night. If I hadn't, I would have been able to say that I haven't done anything wrong--well, not recently, anyway.

My feet rhythmically pound against the pavement, my legs aching and lungs burning. All I can hear is the wind whistling past my ears, blowing my hair around my face. Normally, I'd love the refreshing feel of a long run. I'd shut my eyes and imagine I was an eagle, soaring through the air on my powerful wings, without a care in the world. But right now is not the time for that.

I push myself to be faster, swifter. I'm not yet tiring, and I can tell that I've greatly increased the distance between myself and the officers. Finally, when I reach the end of the street, I round the corner without slowing down my sprint.

I strain my ears to listen for any sounds of pursuit. But there's nothing. No shouting, no heavy footsteps. It's as if they've just given up the chase. Breathing heavily, I let myself relax a little, my quick footfalls gradually shifting to slow, jogging steps. I let out a little laugh, feeling exhilarated. I'm sure that later, I'll look back on this thinking that it was nothing but a fun experience. Outrunning a half dozen trained police officers, who probably had guns with them? Ha! No big deal. My smile widens as I imagine Asher's face when I tell him, and doesn't falter even when I picture Sage's exasperated groan and the following lecture on safety that I will receive. My lips refuse to stop grinning, and I doubt it will anytime soon.

That is, until I hear the unmistakable sound of the revving of a motorcycle.

And the siren that immediately follows it.

My smile is swept away by a waterfall of panic. Any feeling of triumph I had instantly evaporates in the wake of my sudden fear. "Shit!" I curse, looking around wildly. Of course that's why I couldn't hear the police officers anymore. They went back to get a motorcycle. How the hell am I supposed to outrun a fricking motorcycle?

Suddenly, the situation becomes much more serious. I know from experience that unless police officers are planning to take you into custody and march you to the police station for questioning, they won't bother giving chase on a vehicle. Which means...