Her

Part Eight:

Sunlight through the tree tops gently wakes me up, still in wrapped up in Maddox. I guess we both fell asleep trying to calm me down. He shifts a little, his eyes flutter and open to reveal his actual eyes.

I am speechless.

They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. Sky blue, piercing but in a comfortable way, with depth that makes you believe he has a million dimensions. Clear as a lake so that I can almost feel the water. The color is darkest near his pupil, and fades to a pale, dreamy, powder blue. I want to look forever; I love it. I get this all from one glance.

He looks away quickly, obviously uncomfortable.

I find my voice, "I... I'm sorry, about last night... I.. my dreams were..uhm." I croak.

"It's fine. My sisters had bad dreams all the time. I'm used to it." He saves my sentence. "I get them to." he says softer, still not looking at me. 

I get up and start to look around, back towards our 'camp', but I have no idea where I am. I feel his presence next to me, and turn to meet his eyes, another gasp of amazement hits me.

I think he notices, because he says, "Is something wrong?" slightly backing away.

"Oh um.. no.. Your eyes... nevermind."

"They gave me medicine so I couldn't see that much. That was what that Torturer was coming in to inject me with, I guess it was wearing off, because I could see you come in and hide then when she... yeah."

"Oh." I reply, flustered. I hadn't realized that he saw what I did. 

He walks forward and keeps going, and I follow, ending up where the car and blankets are. He rolls the blankets up faster than I could get to him to help, and moves to sit on the hood of the car. I join, and notice the few inches he scoots over, probably still freaked out and scared of me.

"I really am sorry..", I say at the same time he says, "Where to next? You didn't happen to remember where you are from last night?"

"Oh um, I don't know. Let me think."

We sit for awhile.

And awhile.

Finally, he asks, "Okay, so you obviously do not remember, why don't we first find out where we are, and leave, soon. Really soon." He really emphasizes the word soon, and gets up and into the car. I slip behind the steering wheel and start the engine.

"We shouldn't go to a shop or anything, or gas station, while we can, in case they are watching us or something. We can watch road signs or something."

"Okay. Hopefully we are close." he replies, looking at me me out of the corner of his eyes.

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh, uhm no," he looks straight quickly, "Just last night y'know. Yeah uhm. So.. gas stations.. hmm."

--------------------

Many miles later and road signs telling us that we are in Iowa, our stomachs and engine are very, very low on fuel. 

"Rean! I can't stand it anymore! Next gas station, we are pulling over! I am not  pushing this car with the amount of energy I have." Maddox shouts, breaking the silence.

"But..." I try to protest again, but don't find a point.

"We don't have money, so you might have to sweet talk the owner or something." he says.

"Um, excuse you, no. Not happening. I will steal it before I get into that." I snap.

"Then I guess we aren't gonna get anywhere," he pushes back, "With your body, it would work." He mumbles the last part to himself, and it makes me furious, confused, and... some strange emotion, all in one.

"I guess not. Why don't you do it then, since you think you're so hot? I'm not an object." I snap back at him.

"I  don't need you to sass or anything." he mumbles, yet again.

"Me to sass!? Why are you even here, then?!? You don't have to come with me, y'know!!"

"You asked me to!"

"I shouldn't of." My jaw clenches.

He doesn't answer.

Finally he says, "Look, I'm sorry. We both are snappy because we haven't had anything to eat. I am coming with you because you seem... okay, and I wanna help. Plus, where am I going to go?"

I stare straight ahead, and sort of mumble an apology.

"Gas station!" he screams, startling me out of my skin, even after our shouting fight.

I pull in, and park multiple spots away from the loitering black SUV, with dark-tinted windows.

"Is this safe?" I whisper, extremely unsure.

"I don't care. I am going in."

We walk in, smuggle some protein bars and food into the bathrooms, and I devour mine immediately, washing it down with water from Guam, or Fiji or somewhere exotic.

He is waiting against the wall outside the bathroom when I come out, and we are about to leave when I notice a guy near the doors. He stealthily, or so he thinks, glances back every few steps we take, and I notice a bulge in his jacket near his belt.

My heart thrums inside my chest, and I am sure Maddox can hear it.

"I already filled the tank up," he whispers in my ear, and before I can even wonder how he did it, he whispers again, "Start running right as we hit the floor mats next to the door. The car is unlocked."

We walk casually, he stops to point out this really cheesy snow-globe, grabbing my hand like we are together. I try to ignore the slight electric feeling I get. 

We turn back to the doors, his hand in mine, and right as we get to the mats, he cuts in front of me to push the door open. We both break into a sprint.

"Just keep running." I think. Panting, I am almost at the car.

I don't realize the footsteps behind me.

Strong arms yank me backwards by the waist and short hair, and I am dragged halfway across the spacing between our cars before Maddox wheels around and sprints like a freaking god of speed  in our direction.

I am screaming and trying to get the guy to let me go.

He brings me to the back of his SUV and chucks me inside, slamming the door. It becomes pitch black, yet again.