Escape

Chapter 8

I awake to the morning sun streaming in through my billowing white curtains. I look up at Aspen to find him fast asleep. I decide to let him sleep so I attempt to sneak out of the bed, but in his sleep his arms and legs have wrapped tightly around me, sufficiently trapping me. His eyelids flutter open and he looks at me.

“Where are you going?” He mutters sleepily.

“I was just going to get up and let you sleep in peace.” He wraps his arms tighter around me and pulls me closer to him.

“No, stay. Five more minutes.” He protests, closing his eyes again.

“Aspen,” I give his a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth, causing it to turn up in a sly smile. “I have to get up.” I kiss the other corner. “We have things we need to do today.” I try to wriggle from his hold, causing him to pull me closer again.

“Not until you finish what you started.”
“What are you—“

He quickly flips over so he’s hovering above me and dips his head, bringing his mouth to mine. I gasp in shock against his lips before returning the kiss. The kiss begins to deepen and I pull away.

“Aspen, I was serious. We have things to do today, we have to get up!”

He pouts and I roll him off of me, getting out of the bed.

“Fine,” He replies, “but we will be continuing this later.” He says with certainty. I roll my eyes at him and walk to my closet. I talk with Aspen through the ajar door as I change into jeans, combat boots, and a black t-shirt.

“Like I said last night, we can’t do this alone. We need to meet with the others. We need a plan, Aspen.”

“I agree, which is why everyone is meeting tonight in the woods.” We have our own way of communicating among each other. Xavier, our technology genius, managed to a small black communicator. When you push down on it, it reveals a clock, which Aspen and I can set to a certain meeting time, and the time will appear on everyone else’s, alerting them to the meeting. It also includes a tiny panic button, for if, God forbid, one of us is caught. If the panic button is pressed, everyone’s communicator will vibrate, alerting us all to the ominous danger. Mine is on the back of the infinity sign on the bracelet Aspen gave me last year. It’s chain link and must be made of silver or white gold. Aspen’s family is not wealthy like mine, I still have no idea how he managed the gift.

“You already contacted them?” I ask, emerging from my closet.
“Yes. So we have the whole day to ourselves…” Aspen looks at me with mischief in his eyes, and comes to wrap his arms around his eyes.

“And I know just how to spend it.” I say, brushing my lips briefly against his.

“Oh really?” He asks with intrigue.

“Yes, we need to train with Pierce?” I giggle.

Aspen frowns, confusion washing over his features. “Pierce? Why would we train Pierce?” He voice is growing louder with each word.

I forgot that I haven’t had a chance to tell Aspen about my conversation with Pierce last night. “Oh, I forgot to tell you last night.” I proceed cautiously, “Pierce found out about us. I don’t know how, but he’s on our side.”

He looks at me, anger overtaking his expression. And, without another word, he stalks quickly from the room.

“Aspen, stop!” I yell, running out the door after him. When I leave my room, I immediately collide with something, or rather, someone. One of my father’s guards, a young one. I look up and quickly mutter an apology before running off after Aspen. When I reach Pierce’s room, Aspen has him pinned against the wall, his hand fisted in the front of Pierce’s shirt.

“Aspen, stop!” I yell again.

The door opens and the guard I ran into enters the room. “What is going on in here?” He questions with authority.

“Nothing that concerns you.” I snap in reply. “I have it under control. Go.” I say forcefully, slowly pushing him from the room. He leaves reluctantly and I shut the door tightly and quickly behind him. “What the hell are you thinking, Aspen? Have you gone mad?” I demand, walking over to the pair. Aspen hasn’t moved during my short conversation with the guard.

“He can’t have just figured that out on his own!” Aspen growls. “He’s working for someone.”

“Aspen, I swear I’m not! You have to believe me, I only want to help.” Pierce says.

“I believe you, Pierce.” I reply, “Regardless, this is not the place for this! Now we have a guard outside wondering what we’re doing in here. That is the last thing we need, Aspen. We need to take this somewhere else. Now.”

Aspen still does not release his hold on Pierce, so I move closer and whisper quietly in his ear, “we can’t talk in here, you know that. Let’s go to the beach.” He looks at me and reluctantly loosens his grip on Pierce.

“Let’s go.”