Innocence

Chapter Seventeen

I awoke to a tapping on my window. At first I laid in bed, frightened. He was back. He was going to take me again. I heard the tapping again and finally fully awoke. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window, sliding it open. Ethan sat perched on a tree.

"Oh Ethan!!!" I cried as he jumped in the window. I ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"What took you so long?" Ethan joked.

"I was afraid. I thought, I thought he was back. That he was coming to kidnapp me again." I whispered, referring to Chase. Ethan's eyes filled with pain as he drew me into him again.

"I swear you will never have to endure that again. I promise on my life." I nodded my head and buried my face into Ethan's safe and warm chest.

"Mikeala? Are you awake? Come on your going to be late to school!" my sister yelled from downstairs.

"Yes Ash! I'm awake!" I yelled back.

"Well hurry slowpoke!" I stuck my tongue out in Ashley's general direction. Knowing that she couldn't see it. I grabbed my red Aeropostal hoody and pulled it on over my head. It had been two weeks since I got home and today was my first day back to school. The first week hone was filled with police, questioning, and wish you well cards. The second week was ok. Mom allowed me to rest and spend time with Ashley, who took off Monday and Tuesday to stay with me. Ethan secretly hung out with me the rest of the week, taking me hunting when know one knew I was gone and setting up arrangements. He had managed to buy a house five miles out of town. I tried to get him to move closer to me but he said no. I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.

"Finally! Gosh what were you doing? Building a life size earth?" Ashley asked, tossing me a chocolate granola bar and bottle of water.

"Ya, right." I rolled my eyes. Ash laughed but grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door. The bus pulle up by the driveway and we burst out laughing.

"Just on time. " Mrs. James said as we got on the bus. She shut the door behind us and pulled away, leaving our house in a pile of dust.