Hands of a thief

Burden

After being stuffed full of choc-chip pancakes, Will and I were passed out on the ground, giggling hysterically about counting how many we'd had. 

"I- I don't think I've eaten that many ever! I bet it's a new world record" Will chuckled, clutching his belly. 

"Do they record that stuff? I'm sure we'd contest for it!" I replied smiling. These were the times when I wish I could replay these moments again and again. Lost in laughter and contentment. 

I tried to slow down time, but it wasn't long before mum came into the room chortling at the mess we'd made in the kitchen. 

"We just had to eat them mum, I mean c'mon Y/N, that pancakes must've been the thing you missed the most!" Will smiled at me, but I felt my heart clench at the thought of those moments. 

No, I had missed Will the most, and it had been terrifying. I gave a small smile anyway, then sat up after a couple of tries. 

"I think I'm gonna change into some going out clothes. I need to walk and clear my head a bit." Will frowned at my slight change in mood, opening his mouth but then closing it again quickly. I couldn't tell him what was wrong, I didn't even know myself. My thoughts were just everywhere, and that girl had invaded my mind. 

Perhaps she was just normal. I had to stop looking for things that could go wrong, maybe finally I'd be able to live my life! Eleven had Mike, and they seemed truly happy together, even though she had strict orders not to go out too much. I often caught myself staring at them when they thought no one else was looking. I wish I could have that one day, with Will. 

But for now I needed to clear my head. I placed my home clothes neatly on the bed before choosing my favorite outfit and walking out the door, promising mum that I'd stay where she could see me. 

The cool air wakes me up a bit, and I am for a second, elated. I will always treat fresh air like the best thing in the world now. I was about to close my eyes when they snapped right open. It was her, she was walking with a friend, chuckling about something. They were heading towards where I was, and I knew I promised mum but I needed to hide. I couldn't let Allison see me!

I slowed down time just enough so I could duck behind a large tree, and waited for them to pass. 

I studied her face, she didn't look like her father did when he forced me to do those things. But I couldn't get her smile out of my head, when she called Will Zombie Boy. I hoped they didn't call him that still, it was such a mean name, calling him a freak just so openly. 

I shook my head to clear it as I focused on her words. 

"Yeah. He was nice. I was surprised he could dance." I gritted my teeth as her friend nudged her playfully, suggesting that Will liked her. Did he like her? We hadn't actually talked about it, and I wasn't sure how to approach the subject. 

"Well, he is kinda cute." Her friend raised her eyebrows. 

"Yeah, and he's super smart. Who knows, might ask him to help me with my homework tomorrow!" They both laughed making my skin crawl. 

This jealousy thing Max had told me about felt terrible. I wanted to keep her far away from Will, and it wasn't just to protect him either, though I wasn't sure what I was protecting him from. 

Would she recognize me? She'd tell her father for sure and then he'd come after me. 

I was lost in my thoughts until they were right near me, I could hear their shoes on the pavement. I backed away, grimacing as I stepped on a twig. 

"Oh no" I whispered as their eyes shifted towards the same. 

I turned to run, knowing they definitely would've seen me, but as long as they didn't see my face, it was ok. I ran until I was sure they'd just moved on, sure they'd be weirded out but as long as she didn't recognize me, she couldn't know. She wouldn't know that I escaped her father's lab. 

I panted, even though I'd sped time up. I just wish mum wasn't too worried about me, it wasn't safe to go back yet. I rested, sitting on the sidewalk wondering why my heart felt cold. 

I should talk about this with Eleven, she'd know what to do. I hoped I wouldn't have to leave Will, mum, dad, and the gang. I'd just gotten back, I couldn't let her ruin it!

Tears escaped my eyes, making small dark spots on the ground. I couldn't lose Will again, in more than one way. This morning had been amazing, but we'd grown distant somewhat. It was too many unspoken words, unshared feelings that I couldn't tell anyone. 

They wouldn't understand. Perhaps I should go away, the threat was gone now. The gate was closed and everything would be back to normal, unless they found out. Allison would tell Will what she saw, and he'd know that I was a murderer. That I hurt people. 

The tears came faster and soon my breathing became too fast for me to handle. I clutched my chest, willing my heart to slow but it wouldn't. I fought the urge to collapse, and that was when I saw a shadow standing over me. 

Perhaps it her. Perhaps it was Will. 

Whoever it was, I couldn't be anyone's burden anymore.