Run Away

Chapter 7

As soon as Owen and Evie walked into the house, Sandra wrapped her arms around Evie. Over Sandra's shoulder, Evie saw Owen watch the embrace before walking out of the room, back to Zane in the dining room. She was unable to read his expression.

When Sandra released Evie from her hold, she held her still at arms-length.

"You gave me such a fright," Sandra said truthfully.

"I'm sorry," Evie apologised, "I didn't mean to. I didn't think. I just felt trapped and needed to get away. I couldn't breathe. Anyway, I shouldn't have shouted at you and I'm so sorry."

Sandra gave a slight smile, as though she felt she had cracked Evie.

"I shouldn't have pressed you so far, I'm sorry too," Sandra spoke softly. "Next time I will try to be more considerate of your need for space."

Evie forced a weak smile to show her appreciation of Sandra's acceptance. Still, it didn't feel right that she was trapped, forcibly having to stay with the Taylor's.

After the family dinner, Evie excused herself to go to her room, on the pretence of wanting to do her homework. It wasn't a complete lie, but she also just wanted to be alone.

While she sat on her bed, flicking through her notes from that day, there was a knock on the door. Evie sighed, not from annoyance, but more in preparation for what detailed conversation Sandra may now want to have with her.

"Come in," Evie called.

The door opened slowly, as if cautiously and unsure. Evie's brow furrowed slightly in thought and then her eyes widened with the door as she saw who stood before her. The last person she expected. Owen.

"Sorry to interrupt," Owen spoke, breaking the silence that expanded the room.

Evie took a deep breath to gain strength. She felt she needed all she could muster in Owen's presence, especially in the small room with no one else around.

Owen stepped forward, his hand outstretched with a couple of notebooks in its clutches.

"I thought you might like these," Owen explained, his hand waiting in the air, "They're my notes from all my classes for this semester. I know we don't share all the classes, but we do all the same subjects."

Evie extended her hand out and retrieved the notebooks from Owen. She glanced down at them and then back up at Owen.

"Thank you," she said in a small voice.

Owen looked away and cleared his throat.

"Just give them to me tomorrow morning," he said quickly before leaving out the door, closing it behind him.

Evie tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep. When she did sleep, her head filled with nightmares, reruns of her argument with Sandra. Even though she had apologised and Sandra had accepted graciously, Evie was still plagued with guilt from how she had spoken to her.

Visions of her past played like movie before her eyes. There was no escaping.

A shrill cry of fear rang throughout the house as Evie woke from her nightmare. She sat upright in bed, panting and trying hard to breathe normally. The bedroom door flung open and the light suddenly lit up the room. Sandra ran to Evie's side as Brian checked the room for any obvious threat that may have caused Evie to scream.

"Evie," Sandra cooed, "It's okay. I'm here. You're safe."

At the sight of Sandra being there beside her on the bed and Brian standing in the middle of the room, a look of concern etched on both their faces, Evie began to cry tears of relief that they were okay. It was just a dream.