Run

Chapter 11

A/N: I wasn't going to do this but I couldn't just leave it the way I did because I'm sappy bitch.

~Six months later~

You've spent six months, Haylee, six months healing and becoming a stronger person. You spent the past few months learning that it's okay to need people, to want them around and even though you did that without any actual people around, you're ready. We wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case. 

God, I'm talking to myself in the third person now. 

"Maybe this was the opposite of helpful, huh, Victor. I'm crazy now." I look down to the shaggy pup. He needs a hair cut.

While I was away, I continued on like I did before, only I mourned my family. I opened the seal that held everything that has been fucking with me and over the months I learned how to cope and accept them. I used to be so scared of confronting those thoughts that I didn't realize that when I put myself in the postilion of forcing myself to confront them, that it wouldn't be world ending.

It wasn't an endless pit. 

It was a dam though. I cried like a bitch, a lot. 

I cried and I mourned and I accepted everything that I needed to. And I feel so much better. 

When I was not confronting my mental health, I was trying not to be eaten because holy shit. There seems to be so many more of those beasts. Like, enormous amounts of hoards everywhere. They usually travel in packs, packs that fight other packs. But these packs are insane and not like how they were. 

I have another scar to add to the collection and I lived rougher this time around. I know, it was kind of reckless but I enjoyed it, as crazy as that sounds. 

It's made my build look more like Hope's. I actually have abs and my arms are how I used to wish for them to be. I don't mean to brag but I could probably take the two men Hope had with her when I was there. The two ripped men holding guns that made sure we were safe to be there. Well, maybe not both at the same time- maybe though, if I had my knife. 

I mean, I'm not jacked. Just proud of my build. 

My hair had gotten too long so I cut it. I found scissors a couple of weeks ago and cut bluntly to just above my shoulders and its actually really nice, having short hair. 

Anyway, I stand a little hidden from the wall of the Safe Haven. I waited until I felt ready to come and stay here. Now that I'm here, I'm just nervous. Ready but nervous. Because, I'm not really here for James but I thought a lot while I was gone. 

We don't really know each other but we got incredibly close for such a short time and it was intense at the end there. Now what if me being here is awkward. What if he acknowledged this as well and since he was around others is, in fact, with someone else. 

I'm not saying this because it'd suck because, sure it'd be disappointing but understanding. I just like to avoid awkward scenarios. It's not a deciding factor, just-

Victor barks and I roll my eyes. 

"Right, thank you for getting me out of my head. It's fine, I'm fine. Overthinking is all, bud." I laugh at myself and he barks again. My eyes narrow and I grow silent, listening to my surroundings. 

"Haylee?" A familiar voice catches me by surprise. Emerging from the foliage, Hope lowers her weapon and the person with her follows suit. "Damn girl, look at you. You look good." 

I laugh. "Thank you, Hope." 

"It's good to see you. Are you here to stay?" she asks after introducing the man with her. 

"I think so." I shrug before nodding. "Yeah, probably." 

Hope and I share a small laugh before she tells me to come with her as we head to the gate. It's not far but as we make it there and through the gates I tell her how bad it's getting out there. "Yeah, I noticed there were more mutants than usual lately. It's disconcerting. We've had lots of talks about it here."

She tells me that things are fine here but the people have been slightly more cautious and anxious since I've been gone. But truly nothing to worry about. However, as we talk I find myself wondering if there's a reason why she isn't bringing Jameson up. As they take Victor for a check up and cleaning, like last time, they give me a quick check up. 

It's all the same as last time which makes me think of him more. 

Catching Hope's eye as the medic leaves the room after clearing me, she smiles. "Thinking of him, are we?" 

I raise a brow, "Huh?"

"You've got a thoughtful expression. Either you don't wanna be here or you're thinking of James. I assume it's him, as you came here of your own free will." Hope chuckles. 

Cheeks warm, I shrug. We head out of the little room and through a last bit of security. This time I get Victor quickly, which is nice.  "I guess I am wondering about him." 

She laughs again and shakes her head. "Well, I'm glad he'll have someone else to annoy now that you're here. He wouldn't leave me alone these past few months. Made my new relationship rocky at one point. Safe to say she did not want us being friends." 

We laugh and I silently thank the gods that Hope hinted that he probably missed me. I respond with a joking, "Oh god." 

"I'm wounded, Hope. I thought you found me charming and I hear not only you but Debbie find me annoying. Wow, that really hurts." His voice comes from the left. We'd just come out of the holding rooms by the wall. He comes out from the shade with a smile, soft and sweet. "And you, Miss. Sue. I'm truly hurt, how am I to ever get over this." 

I just smile at him. He looks the same, hair slightly longer and falling into his eyes though. Those eyes are just as bright and honest. It takes me seconds to realize how much I missed him. 

"I'm sure you'll manage." I murmur as he comes to a stop in front of us. We stand there like fools for a moment, just soaking up the others presence. 

Hope clears her throat and goes, "dear god." before shoving James at me and walking away.  

Just like that, we lock our arms around each other in a tight embrace. "It's so good to see you Haylee, I missed you."

"I missed you too." Six months ago I wouldn't have been able to muster the courage to tell someone that but that was then and this is now. 

We pull apart, but not by much, enough for him to look at me. He ruffles my hair with a goofy grin. "I like it. Your hair looks great." His eyes rake my body. "So does the rest of you." 

I shove him with a chuckle and pink cheeks. "Wow, thanks." 

"Seriously. You look good, I was worried you'd come back too skinny or something. I'm glad to see you come back looking even more capable of kicking my ass."

"I'm taking that as a compliment, and only because I know how much of a jack ass you are." I say, looking up into his eyes. Feeling more soft than I sound, I lightly lean into the hold he still has on me. 

"Well it was so," He trails off and it gets warm and my heart speeds up. His eyes trail down to my lips. We lean in at the same time and the kiss feels far more safe and warm than I anticipated. It's almost like that feeling when you come home for the first time in a while. 

We come apart with a gasp, breath labored and hot. My hands still on either side of his face and his still tight on my waist. "So," I all but whisper, still close enough that each breath we take is shared. "Hope never showed me to where I would be staying. Know where I should go?" 

With a quick kiss, James leads me in almost a run to what I assume is his place.