The Enhanced

Chapter Forty Two

Aiden's P.O.V.

The car seems so slow on the way back, I run every light that I have to. I do everything short of run people over as I speed back to the motel, my mind whirling.

How could I allow myself to be recognised? And what the hell do we do now? How long would it take for them to find us?

They couldn't take her away from me, but Juliet was in bad shape. What could we do?

People shout abuse at me from the sidewalks as I speed past all of them, swerving in and out of cars, passing them as best I can.

Finally, the motel's tacky neon signs come into view at the end of the road. I can't get the car to go any faster as I push it forwards, I had no idea if Juliet was even still alive. What happens if I stumble into a room with her dead on the floor? I throw the thought form my mind immediately and focus on getting there. Just getting to her.

I sprint past all of the confused faces in the parking lot and the corridors in the motel, until I finally get to our room. I ignore the temptation to pause outside and take a moment to prepare myself for what may lie behind the door and instantly fumble around for the key card.

it was still dark in the room but I can still see Juliet sat on floor, leaning against the far wall. Her hands clutching at her stomach, her laboured breaths audible from even here. But that meant she was breathing, that meant she had survived until now. And I would ma esure she survivied now.

I run over to her, dropping everything on the floor in the process and cradle her head. Sweat matter her hair to her forehead and her skin was deathly pale. "Juliet, Juliet," I whisper in her ear, "I'm here, I'm not leaving, you're gonna make it, I promise," I mumble.

A small chuckle sounds from somewhere within her throat and she manages to smile at me just lightly enough for me to see it.

"Someone recognised me, they stopped me at the store. I had to run away," I tell her.

The smile instantly falls from her face and she meets my eyes, "we have to get out of here, now," she says, beginning to move from where she was sat.

I shake my head and top her from moving, "we can't, we're fixing you first, you come first," I insist.

Shaking her head, she coughs, "We're leaving now, if you don't help me go, I will never forgive you," she chokes out.

I pause and look at her, I look at the blood that had pooled around her. And with an annoyed click of my tongue, I stand and throw everything in our bags, including all the medical supplies we would need, and throw them both over my shoulder.

And then, I hold Juliet as I lift her to stand, she hisses in pain with every subtle movement, despite obviously trying to stifle them. I can't help but look at her in absolute terror as I realise today may be the day that Juliet dies.

We hobble out of the room and down through the motel, gaining many worried glances from strangers, many of whom offer their help and medical assistance that I have to shake off.

Juliet struggles the whole way, every step is an immense effort for her, blood drips between her fingers, leaving a small trail of red behind us.

"Juliet, are you okay? We can stop, please don't push yourself," I stop her, looking at her.

Her gaze was becoming all the more empty, even looking around was difficult for her. "We're getting out of here, no matter what," she rasps, squeezing my hand.

I squeeze back and hurry her along, anxious to get her to the car, it seemed as if the life was slipping away from her body with every second, with every step she pushed more of her weight onto me.