Lovers' Maehem

Chapter 7

Maeve

June 8th, 2180

4:56pm

Shit. Shit, shit, shit! I'm sprinting as fast as I can through the trees, hoping to lose him. Whoever the man is, he saw me running out of the Rell's house, and something tells me he isn't just a normal person. He's sprinting after me, and I have to admit, he's starting to catch up. I'm using the trees around me to try and blend in, but I don't know if I'll be able to make it to town before he catches up. 1 kilometer. I can keep this pace up for 1 kilometer. Of course I would mess this up. The one high stake day mission in a rich neighborhood I finally get, I messed up. Dad's gonna kill me. I shake out of thoughts about what my parents may do, and focus on the blurring trees passing to either side of me. I dodge each one of them carefully, while creating a challenging path for this chaser. It doesn't exactly help that I'm wearing a blue dress, as the flash of blue doesn't really belong in nature. The town is in sight up ahead, and I could easily blend into the crowd, or hide in a shop. My number one priority is making sure he doesn't follow me home. I risk a look over my shoulder to see he's only 100 meters back from me now. I pick up my face, running the fastest I ever have. I reach the edge of the town, and slow to a brisk pace towards the nearest building. When I see the cafe, I duck into the door hoping he didn't follow me here. I go to the front counter and order a muffin, so no one suspects me. I eat the muffin quickly, and hope no one around is noticing how jumpy I am. By the time I finish my muffin, I debate whether I should stay longer or go outside. Check out the window for anyone suspicious, then go outside and take the long route home. I hear Dak's voice echoing through my head. I take a deep breath, and glance out the shop window. I see the Colton uniform right away. His head is facing away from me, so all I can see is his ruffled dirty blonde hair. I take one more deep breath, and while he's looking away from the shop, I slip out and around the opposite side that he is on. I stand, my back pressed against the cold stone wall, breathing hard. That was terrifying. I could've gotten caught and killed, or sent to jail, or tortured, or... So many bad things can happen with our job, but you never truly realize the risk until a moment like this. Breathe Mae, breathe. I take off walking at a fast pace, towards the long route to my house. I make sure to check behind me every few minutes to make sure no one is following me. When I get home, I go straight to my room, avoiding my family. I know the first thing I should be doing is telling Dad that I saw a Colton, but that would mean, we'll be out of Pennsylvania by the morning. I hate to admit it, but I don't want to leave. While the house isn't the nicest, and the beds aren't too comfy, I have things here I've never had elsewhere. One thing. I know in my head, that theoretically staying here because of Griffin is not a good idea, and that we will have to move eventually. At the same time... in my heart, I know what I have with Griffin isn't something I'll necessarily find again. Head over heart. That's what Grandpa always said. I'm not sure how long I contemplate whether to tell anyone, but at some point, Dakota must've come back from her mission.

"Hey," she says stripping off her boots, and placing the knives back in the box. "How was the high stake mission?" I don't answer at first, still stuck in my own thoughts. "Hello, Earth to Mae..." she waves her hand in front of the face.

"Good," I answer, "a bit rough, but it was fine." Lie. I guess I really do want more time here. Even if it is another few days, or weeks. Anything means more time with Griffin.

"K," she answers. "What's your plan for tonight?" she questions.

"Not much," I answer, "I have a mission at 7, but nothing afterwards." Dakota nods.

"Well, I have the night free, so I was thinking we text Indie, and have a sister's movie night?" she asks. I nod,

"Sounds great," Dakota notices something is off, which I guess is expected.