Fugitive (ON HOLD)

IX

"Calum, huh?" I question, my head tilted over to the side a little. The attractive male nods, a smirk still on his lips.

"You got it, babe."

"That's a strangely normal name for someone with a strange nickname. Why do people call you Pyro?"

Calum just shrugs, chuckling lowly. "Eh, who knows? You light your parents and sister on fire in their sleep and suddenly you've got a new name," he says casually. My jaw drops and both Michael and Calum start to laugh.

"How in God's name is that funny?" I ask, completely flabbergasted. This new life is scaring me by the minute. What I wouldn't give to be back home, buried under the warm covers of my bed.

That gets me thinking. If I plan this out, I can get back home without Michael even catching me. My mind starts to buzz with ideas, trying to come up with a way to trick Michael and hide out somewhere until I can make sure I'm safe. I will not spend anymore time here, being compliant.

I don't want to encounter people like Calum ever again in my life. It's truly scary knowing someone has the power to set you alight just because he can and he finds enjoyment in it. I start to think of ways to separate myself from the two.

"Pyromania does that kind of shit to you, honey," Calum says to me, zipping up his jacket and covering his Nirvana shirt. I don't hear him though, I'm thinking things through. Maybe the second we walk through the exit, I should bolt. It's my best shot. I should run and run fast, maybe turn a corner and throw him off. Yeah, yeah maybe that could work.

"Should we go?" Calum asks Michael, biting his full bottom lip.

"Sure. Lead the way," Michael says, nodding toward the exit of the shop. Calum gives a mischievous smile and then starts to leave the store, Michael following at his heels. I kind of hang back. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest and I can already feel myself shaking with nervousness. I start to walk toward the exit as well and the second my feet touch the outside, I'm taking off running in the opposite direction, the cold air whipping my hair back as I go.

"She fucking got away!" Calum shouts from behind me. I feel a jolt of panic run through me and I push faster, wanting to get away, wanting to be home with my mother and friends. I have to keep going now. If Michael catches me, I'm positive I won't see the light of another day.

"FUCKING SHIT!" I hear Michael swear and I start turning corners at random, accidentally running into a few people. I don't care though, I have more important things to worry about. I'm surprised when I turn to look back and I have a lead on the two boys. I can do this, I can.

I turn onto an alley and hide behind a gross looking dumpster. After waiting a minute, I decide that the coast is clear and I move out from my disgusting hiding place. I've done it, I've lost them. I've never felt so relieved in my life. It hadn't hit me until just a few moments ago just how scary a life as Michael's captive is. I'll end up dead no matter what I do around him.

Now, it's time to activate part two; find somewhere to hide. As if on cue, I notice a tall man walking past me, a phone pressed to his ear. Hair pulled up in a bun, long legs hidden by tight jeans, and a cute dimpled smile, I could tell he was a kind person. Maybe if I just...

I sneak behind the man at a distance and I follow him as I listen to his conversation on the phone. He seems to be talking to a girlfriend or something, considering his smile. I'm not surprised that he isn't single, he's too attractive.

"I told you it's okay. You have a football match, I get that," the attractive man says into the phone. "I'm twenty one years old, I think I can handle being by myself, Lou. You'll be back tonight, I can last about five more hours."