Expose Them, sequel to Release Me (Editing)

11

A cool breeze slaps me in the face and my eyes begin to tear. I wipe at them before quickening my pace.

I enter Central Park, which is absolutely beautiful at night. Neon rings circling the trees, illuminating the winding path before me. My feet float down it, lost in my troubled thoughts.

You know you have feelings for him.

I clutch my head in an attempt to get the voice to shut up. It doesn't work.

Don't run from him, go back.

NO! And you're not going to make me.

I begin to run, which occasionally calms me. I run so fast that the trees lining the path pass me in a green and brown blur. I run, run, run, and run, my feet flying over the neatly paved sidewalk.

Suddenly I crash into someone hard, falling down onto the pavement.

"Ouch," I groan, struggling to stand up.

"Need a hand?"

I gaze up at the guy I crashed into, my mouth dropping open in shock. It's Brandon.

"You," I gasp.

"Yeah, me."

I growl. "What do you want?"

He offers me his hand. "We'll talk, but first let me help you up." I accept it and he pulls me up on my feet. "Walk with me."

Nodding, I follow beside him. "What is it? Why are you here?"

"Not here," he whispers, his eyes scanning over the happy couple walking hand in hand ahead of us. "Pretend to be like them." His hand slides into mine.

Kill me now.

I squeeze his hand tightly, enjoying watching him wince. He leads me onto an empty path.

"Ready to spill the beans?" I let go of his hand and he flexes his fingers.

"I believe you already know why I'm here."

"To get back at President White."

He smiles. "You're a smart girl."

I glare at him. "How do you plan on stopping him?"

"We're working on a plan."

"Oh, I see." Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean back against the trunk of a tree. "Just like the brilliant plans you came up with before, the ones back at the clinic."

He flinches. "These plans will be well thought out beforehand. But first, we need your help." His eyes are on mine.

I tense. "With what?"

"You have to tell those that you're supposed to be making acquaintances with the truth."

I roll my eyes at him, annoyed. "I'm not an idiot; I'm already working on that."

"Oh, got any plans?"

"Of course."

"What are they?"

"It's confidential," I smirk, pushing myself away from the tree.

He chuckles. "Very cute."

"I wasn't trying to be. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to continue my jog."

"It's late; you should go back to him." His voice is barely a whisper, but I still manage to catch his words.

"Derek? Nah, I'm good." I begin to jog off.

"Well then that would be your mistake," he calls after me.

I look back at him. "What do you mean?"

"Even a fool can tell he has strong feelings for you."

Heat creeps its way up my neck. "I have no clue what you're talking about. You're obviously delusional; Derek can't wait to get rid of me."

"If that's true, then why are you still alive when he had so many chances to kill you and declare you weak?"

"Good question," I mumble, before jogging off, leaving him far behind.