Us Against The World

Chapter 43

Another few moments of silence pass by and no one wants to speak. The air around us has been replaced with awkwardness and tension. I try not to think of all the things I could do right now; as I have to think about whatever is left of my sanity and well-being. 

I wish I would have just turned and ran the moment I caught a glimpse of Ander's face. I should have known that he would be baffled at the sight of me and that he would do anything and everything to fill my head with nonsense once again. But was it nonsense?

"Stop thinking, everyone!" Ander's voice yanks me, and everyone else, from thought. We all look at him simultaneously and he snaps his fingers. He purses his lips and nods. "Good."

"Can I go outside?" I ask and turn away from Henley and Halten to Ander. He tilts his head up as if to ask me to repeat myself. I stay silent, because I know he heard me. I clasp my hands together and rest my forearms on my knees. 

"Sure! We're all being civil here." Ander says with his big, annoying smile. I stand and roll my eyes, but turn away quickly hoping he did not see it. I am corrected when his laugh sounds throughout the living room of Ren's house. I sigh as I walk to and out the front door. "Leave her." Ander's voice softens as I close the door and I don't bother turning around.

The cool air fills my lungs and I close my eyes at the bittersweet feeling of the wind gently caressing my skin. Oh, what I would give for a nice, warm shower right now. 

I open my eyes and run my hands through my hair, disgusted by the dirt particles that I feel in the roots, littering my scalp. I sigh again and sit on the doorstep. I look up at the night sky which is now lightening up. I rest my chin on the top of my forearm which is crossed over my other arm on top of my knees. I turn around and look through the door window to make sure no one is watching me. When I see that no one is, I turn back and return to my previous position. 

I should take this time to get away. To run and be free. I don't know what it is that is holding me back from doing just that, but there is something. Why is it that I believe that I cannot function without Jexton? Why are we always pulled back together when him and I both know that we would each better off without each other? I will never know, but I know that I do not love him. Is that the name for it? Not being able to get someone off of your mind? Not being able to do anything when their presence is lacking?

But why would I love Jexton if he was the reason I was nearly killed? Why would I love him if he manipulated to me and lied to me? Why would I love him after everything he has done to me and put me through? 

I can't love Jexton. I just can't.

To prove myself wrong, I stood from the doorstep and turned around to make sure that no one is checking up on me. I inhale deeply and turn around once again. I walk forward slowly, then jog, then run. I need to get out of here.

I figured that I could run to the house Jexton and I stayed in for a night and take all of the food. As much as I would like to stay there, it's too risky. It would be better that I get as far away from here as possible. 

But where do I go? It seems that no matter where I go- no matter how far away I run- they always find me. He always finds me. Then I remember: the chip.

I grab the skin on my arm in which dry blood remains. I pick at the scab and watch my arm bleed. I cringe as I dig into the raw skin, hoping to find the tiny piece of technology. No luck. I place the palm of my hand over the newly opened wound and press down. 

I need to go back to Gwen's house and see if she can help me. She has everything there is to have and I'm sure she would be more than happy to help me. Maybe she will even let me stay for a couple days. 

But then I remember that I have no idea where she lives. I only woke up inside of her house. The only people who know where her house is, is her, Jexton and Drade.

Drade...

I cringe and mentally beat myself for allowing his name to ease its way into my mind. I never wanted to see him again, and I sure as hell never wanted to think of him again. The horrible things that man has done to me...

I shake my head free of the evil thoughts and continue to walk forward. My heart stops when voices echo through the air. 

"Farrah!"

"Farrah!"

My name sounds from five different voices, causing my adrenaline to speed through my veins. My legs carry me as far away from them as quickly as possible.

I run until the voices fade and until I cannot breathe correctly anymore. I duck behind a truck and climb into the back after a few moments. I lie down on the bed of the truck and raise my arms above my head to catch my breath. I flinch when the outside light on the garage comes on. Someone storms out of it, yelling, and I jump. I hop out of the truck as quickly as possible and run again.

I have done too much running. I'm starting to tire out.

After running for so long and so far, my legs give and I collapse. I try to sit myself up, but I feel too weak. I allow my muscles to give up, and I close my eyes. The cold earth floor has suddenly become comfortable and I begin to drift off into sleep, but I am yanked from that state once again.

"Get up!" a voice yells and I become too dizzy to make out the face or recognize the voice. 

I do as they command though, and try to stand, but my legs give once again.

I feel a sharp blow to my side but my body falls numb.