The Escape

Run

Startled by a voice I quickly woke up.

"Girls get up! We have to get our of here!" Jess whisper yelled.

I sprung to my feet as he said that and started to gather our stuff.

I put Malory on my back and we ran, but stayed quiet like Jess said.

By the time we stopped we were deep into the woods.

"Um, Jess, do you have any idea where we are?"

"I know exactly where we are. I've been here plenty of times when..... Well um yeah. I know where we are." Jesse replied. "Follow me we're almost there.

Well that was strange. I wonder where he's taking us. By this time I had put Malory down and was holding her hand as we walked and Jesse was on her other side holding her other hand. We wanted to make sure we kept her safe and with us.

"Here it is!" Jesse said pointing up towards a tree.

"Whoa!" Malory said. "That's so cool!!"

"Wow Jesse. Did you, build that?"

"Yeah last summer when..... Um yeah. I built it last summer."Jesse said.

Wow he's acting weird i thought.

"Wanna go check out the inside?" Jesse said.

"Yes yes yes!!!" Malory cheered.

"Alright, ladies first." Jesse said letting Malory climb the later before him.

"Wow Jesse! This is so cool!" I said when we were inside.

"Eh it's nothing."

"It's nothing?!" Malory said. "It's amazing!!!"

It was really cool. I never would've guessed Jesse could make something like that.

"You guys hungry?" Jesse asked us.

"Yes!!" Malory said.

"Haha alright. No worries. Chef Jesse is here." He said.

It was pretty late and we've been out running and walking all day with only a few snacks so dinner sounded like a great idea. We talked as we ate and then headed to bed. We were all exhausted. Jess said he'd take watch for the night so Malory and I could sleep. Once I knew Malory was fully asleep I walked quietly over to Jesse.

"Hey"

"Oh hey. Aren't you sleeping?" he asked.

"No. I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh alright. Well talk away." He smiled.

"For starters you're a great chef." I said.

"Ha thanks."

"So umm about earlier, what were you talking about. You've been here before? Long enough to make this?"

"Well um you see over the summer I uh sorta ran away and well this is where I stayed."

"You ran away last summer?"

"Yeah." He said and told me everything.

"Wow Jesse. I'm so sorry. Don't worry that'll never happen again. I'll always be here whenever you need me. Okay?"

"Thanks Lindsey. It means a lot."

"Now why don't you get some sleep Jess. I'll keep watch."

"You sure?" He asked.

"Positive. Good night Jess!"

"Good night Linds."

Jesse's pov 👦 :

I can't believe I just told her that. I've never told anyone any of that. I mean obviously my parents know I ran away but still. I can't believe she handled it that well either. I'm glad I have a friend like her. I thought walking back into the treehouse. She's so sweet. I guess I should get some sleep like she said.

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THE NEXT MORNING:

I should go check on Lindsey. I thought getting up. I'm surprised I actually slept. I walked out to the porch (I guess you would call it that) of the treehouse. Lindsey looks so cute when she's sleeping with her curly brown hair a little tangled. I figured she'd fall asleep. But i wasn't too worried about it. I knew no one would find us. I grabbed a blanket from inside and covered her up with it to keep her warm and then went to begin making breakfast. I built a fire outside and away from the tree of course. I decided to pick some berries for breakfast. I knew which ones were okay to eat and which ones weren't so no worries there. I learned that the hard way though one of the past times I ran away. So I picked enough berries for the three of us and went back to sit by the fire until they woke up.

"Hey Jess" I heard and turned around to see Lindsey at the door of the treehouse.

"Morning sleeping beauty." I said as she came over go me. She rolled her eyes in response.

"Oh sassy sleeping beauty, huh?" I teased.

" oh hush." She said. "How long have you been up?" She asked sitting down next go me.

"Eh not quite sure. Long enough." I replied.

"Early bird huh?"

"Yeah. Kinda. It's the only time to get some peace and quiet at my house so, I'm used to it."

"Oh....." "The fires nice" she said.

"Yeah. Keep us warm."

"Yeah." She said.

*yawn* "Lindsey?" We heard.

"Must be Malory. I'll be right back." Lindsey said getting up and going up the stairs to the tree house.