2017↠l.h

viii

i had to escape. sooner or later i would be recovering from those horrible wounds, even if that took me a week or a month. the two men came back at the same time every day, but didn't hit me, as their 'boss' had ordered not to. they just came to check on me and leave some food. i had figured the time they were coming from the way the sun rays hit the floor of the room. i had created my own clock according to the sun slipping inside my window. what else is there to do when you're captivated and hurt that all you can do is lie on that old matress? well, except for creating clocks, i had plenty of time to think of a plan. a plan to escape.

+

"i can't do this" i stumbled backwards hiding behind that old tree.

"luke, don't be stupid. look at their faces; they all wish you were there" alicia tried to persuade me not to leave.

"what am i supposed to do? walk up to them and say 'hi i'm back'?" i shook my head. it was stupid to even come here. "this is a bad idea, alicia"

"if you don't go, i will" she threatened. "luke, they need you" her voice sounded softer now. she was right; they needed me as much as i did. i had to go.

"okay, i'll go. just give me some time." i took a deep breath and stepped forward.

seeing them all grieving over an empty grave made my stomach churn.

"go" alicia whispered and that was the last words exchanged between us before she pushed me lightly to start walking.

i was getting closer and i still didn't know what i was supposed to tell them when they saw me. should i catch their attention or wait until someone notices me?

the light shuffling of the grass caused by my combat boots and the absolute silence haunting the cemetery made it easier to know that someone was here.

soon, a few faces turned my way with a look that established that they had just seen a ghost.

"luke?" ashton was the first one who managed to get a word out.