Gen.1 Chapter 7- Never again

“Blaise.” Kaleb whispered.

The forest appeared around me.

“What do you want?” I asked.

He stepped out from behind a tree a grin stretched across his face that made my stomach turn.

“How’s Ashton my dear?”

“That’s none of your business.” I snapped.

“So you know he’s alive and I assume he’s with you.”

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. How could I have been so stupid?

“Well that was all I wanted to know.” He said.

The forest disappeared.

I shot up in bed.

I can’t believe I just gave Kaleb that information. I looked down at Ashton sleeping peacefully beside me. I made the right choice choosing him. I do miss Ryan but not nearly as much as I would miss Ashton.

Pushing thoughts of Kaleb from my mind I laid back down. There’s not much I can do about him right now. I snuggled up against Ashton’s warm body and felt at ease. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

A few weeks passed with silence from Kaleb.

I frowned at the TV.

“What’s up?” Ashton asked, sitting beside me.

I shrugged.

“Has Kaleb been invading your dreams?”

“Not for a while, it’s weird.”

“Hmmm… He’s not one to give up.”

I nodded. “What if he has a lead?”

He frowned. “I’m sure he wouldn’t.”

“But we can’t be certain. What if he knocked on that door right now.”

He chuckled.

“What?”

“I doubt he’d knock.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean.”

He sighed. “Yeah, unfortunately.”

“I don’t want to go on the run. I like this place.”

“Me too.”

“And there’s something else.”

“What?”

“I’m…” I trailed off, not sure how to tell him.

He took hold of my hand. “You can tell me anything.”

I looked into his eyes. “I…I’m pregnant.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“I did a test this morning. This isn’t exactly the best situation to have a baby.”

“Blaise I love you, this is great news. We can keep our baby safe.”

“Neither of our parents could keep us safe.”

We sat in silence for a moment.

“I have an idea.” He said.

“What?”

“It’s a long shot but it might work.”

“Explain Ashton.”

“My parents had a friend who could shield a small area from the hunters.”

“Then why were you caught?”

“I didn’t listen to my parents.”

“But your parents…”

“Are gone. You know what happens to parents who try to rescue their children from the hunters.”

I sighed. I knew all too well.

“So where is this friend?” I asked.

“Twinbrook, hopefully.”

“Lets go then.”

“It’s too risky, the hunters will be watching for me trying to go home.”

“Well we’ll just have to be careful.”

He shook his head. “I should go alone.”

“No I want to go with you.”

“No Blaise, you should stay here, it’ll be safer. Kaleb hasn’t turned up in the last few weeks I doubt he’ll turn up in the next few days.”

I wasn’t going to win this argument.

“Fine then at least take Mirel with you as back up.”

“She should stay with you.”

“Like you said, Kaleb probably won’t show up in the next few days, so you need her more than I do.”

He sighed. “Fine I’ll take her.” He lent in and kissed me. “We will keep our family safe.”

That afternoon, Ashton and Mirel set off to Twinbrook.

The house was oddly quiet now I was alone.

I focused on my painting to pass the time.

A few days past and morning sickness was now kicking in.

There was a knock on the door late one evening.

I stopped when I saw Ryan looking at me through the window.

I opened the door and stepped outside. “Hi.” I said.

“Hey.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see how you were. Where’s Ashton?” He asked looking behind me.

“I’m okay, he’s not here.”

He nodded. “When will he back?”

“Erm I don’t know.”

He nodded. “Okay that’s all I needed to know.”

“What? Why did you need to know that?”

He was fidgeting.

“It doesn’t matter.” He replied.

“Is everything okay?”

“It will be soon.” He said.

“You’re scaring me Ryan. What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’ve got to go.” He turned and left before I could say anything else.

I closed and locked the door.

Something’s very wrong with Ryan. I wish Ashton would hurry up and come home. I expected him to be back by now.

I forced myself to go to bed that night. The pregnancy was really making me tired.

I tossed and turned for what felt like hours before I eventually fell asleep.

I was stood in the forest again.

“You’re all alone now Blaise.” Kaleb said.

“No I’m not.” I lied.

He laughed. “I have Ashton.”

My stomach twisted. “What?” He couldn’t have him, Ashton couldn’t have been caught.

“Yes, he’s back where he belongs.”

I couldn’t speak.

“If you ever want to see him again you’ll come back.”

The forest faded and I sat up.

I need to save him. But I can’t go back. There has never been a successful rescue mission. And now I have our baby to think about. My child can’t grow up in that place. I can’t save Ashton.

Tears broke free. I wrapped the covers round me and curled up into a ball trying to hold my heart together. Ashton’s never coming back. I’ll never see him again. I’ll never feels his arms wrapped around me. I’ll never hear him say he loves me. He’ll never meet our baby.

Gen.1 Chapter 6- Difficult Decisions

I smacked my fist into the side of the punching bag over and over. I still had to make a decision. No matter who I choose someone is going to get hurt. I stopped hitting the bag and rested my head against the leather.

Ryan had been my childhood friend. We’d been so close. On top of that he’s the only friend I’ve made since I arrived in Willow Creek. Our first date at Blue Velvet was amazing. I’d finally started letting go of the past. He’d helped me to start moving on. I can’t help but smile whenever I think of the times we spent together. I can’t hurt him. I don’t want to hurt him. I care about him too much. He already lost me once and I doubt he’ll stick around to see me be with Ashton. I smacked the punch bag again.

Ashton had helped keep me going all those years we were imprisoned. We’d started as friends. I met him about a month after I was taken when I was finally allowed to interact with the other prisoners. It was in the grey cafeteria where all the prisoners would eat together watched by guards. An older kid had started to pick on me and push me around. Ashton came straight to my rescue and since then he was by my side whenever he got the chance. I always felt safer when he was around. He hadn’t been able to protect me from everything in that place. But  no one could have. Not even my parents. I pushed my memories of them away. I couldn’t imagine my life without Ashton by my side. I didn’t have to keep secrets from him. He’d understand my nightmares. He’d understand my fears. I wouldn’t have to hide anything from him.

When Kaleb had told me Ashton had been killed my legs had buckled under me. The pain had nearly crushed me and if I lost him again it probably would. I can’t lose him. I don’t ever want to feel that soul crushing pain again.

But if I chose Ashton I lose Ryan.

And if I chose Ryan I lose Ashton.

Either way I’ll be hurt.

I punched the bag again. I have to choose and I have to choose today.

“Hey.” Mirel said.

“Hi.” I said.

“How’s it going?”

I shrugged.

“I heard about what happened.”

I shook my head. “How do I choose? No matter who I chose I’ll lose the other.”

“And if you don’t choose you’ll lose them both.”

“I know.” I sighed. “They’re both so important to me. I just don’t want to hurt either of them.”

“Well your hurting them both right now by making them wait.”

“It’s just so difficult.” I said.

“I think you’re so afraid of losing one of them again it’s blinding you.”

I stayed silent.

She continued. “But in your heart you must know which you truly love, whether it’s Ryan or Ashton.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” I turned and hugged her.

“Ew you’re all gross.” She teased. “Lucky you with two guys practically fighting over you and here I am with no one.”

I smiled. “You’ll find someone.”

“I better.”

I laughed. “But really thank you for saying what you said.”

“I’m a fountain of wisdom.” She joked.

I knew who I was going to choose. I probably knew all along, but Mirel was right. I only love one of them, but I still care for the other deeply. They have both been such important parts of my life and it’s hard to let either of them go. I took a deep breath. I’m ready to make my choice.

But first I headed to the shower. Mirel was right about two things today. I really am gross. I have been outside punching that bag for hours in the sun.

Afterwards I called Ryan and I asked him to meet me across the road from my house.

“Hi.” I said when he arrived.

“Have you made a choice?” He asked.

I nodded.

“Well…” He pressed.

“Ryan this isn’t easy…”

He interrupted “You’re picking him aren’t you?”

“Ry…”

He continued. “I should have known.”

“Please…”

“No Blaise. I love you. I always have. How can you not feel the same way? What about these last few weeks that we’ve spent together? Do they mean nothing to you?”

“Ryan I care…”

“Don’t give me that rubbish. You love someone else. It’s as simple as that. I don’t care if you care for me deeply or whatever. I want you to love me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear it.” He snapped and stormed off.

That hadn’t gone as I’d hoped. I sighed and held back the tears.

“Hey.” Ashton said.

I turned to see him walking onto the sand.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

“No it’s fine. He was rather loud.” I shrugged, shuffling my feet in the sand.

“You’re shaking.” He said, pulling me into his arms.

The tears broke free. He stayed there holding me as I cried.

“Sorry.” I sniffled, noticing the wet patch on his jumper.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He said, looking into my eyes. “Even now I can hardly believe that you’re actually alive.”

“I thought I’d lost you.”

“I don’t ever want to feel like that again.” He held me tighter. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Gen.1 Chapter 5- Choices

I pulled away from Ashton. Ryan stood starring at us.

“Who’s he?” Ashton and Ryan said in unison.

“I…I…” I stuttered, no idea what to say.

I ran. It may have been cowardly but I ran straight out of the house.

I didn’t go far. I stopped across the road.

“Blaise?” Ryan said, from behind me.

I sighed and turned to face him.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“Who is he?”

“His name is Ashton.”

“How long has that been going on for?” He scowled.

“It’s not what you think.”

“You don’t know what I think.” He snapped.

“Ryan I thought he was dead. He turned up on my doorstep last night.” I tried to explain.

“So that’s why you didn’t want me to come over.”

“I’m sorry. I was going to talk to you and I was trying to talk to Ashton.”

“Yeah because that looked like talking.” He scoffed.

“Ryan I loved him or… I still do, I don’t know.”

Pain flared in his eyes. He looked away.

I continued. “Until last night I thought he was dead. He was held prisoner too, that’s how I know him. We got separated before I escaped and I was told he’d been killed.”

“How come you never mentioned him before?”

“I didn’t like talking about it.”

“Blaise you have a million secrets. Are you ever going to be open with me? Are you ever going to trust me?”

“I do trust you.”

“Then tell me why you were taken, tell me what makes you and Ashton different.” He pleaded.

“I can’t.”

He shook his head. “You have a choice to make. I can’t be with someone who isn’t honest with me. And I want him gone.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“It is that simple!” He shouted. “You have to make a choice Blaise.”

He stormed off.

I watched him leave.

I took a deep breath and decided it was time to talk to Ashton.

He was still sat on the bed.

“Hey.” I said not sitting down.

“Would you like to explain?” He asked.

I took a deep breath and sat down. “His name is Ryan. He was my best friend when we were kids. He was there when I got taken.”

He nodded but remained silent.

“I bumped into him a few weeks after I escaped and well, I thought you were dead Ashton, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m sorry. I should never have assumed you hadn’t moved on. I was just so happy to see you.” He sighed.

“I was too.”

“You know you can never be honest with him.”

“I know.”

“Do you love him?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed.

He took a deep breath. “You have a choice to make Blaise.” He stood up.

I nodded and looked away.

“Do whatever makes you happy.” He said and left.

I sunk down on the bed. I don’t really know how I’d hoped this would all go, but this was certainly not it. I feel like such an idiot. They’re both right. I have to make a choice. This isn’t fair to either of them.

Gen.1 Chapter 4- Surprises

I urged them inside and dashed to the window to check they hadn’t been followed.

“We weren’t followed.” Ashton said.

“Sit.” I said, gesturing to the sofa. “You’re alive! How are you alive?”

“Could ask you the same question.” Ashton replied.

“You thought I was dead?”

“Yeah until the rumour of your escape reached me.” He said.

“Basically you both thought the other was dead. Which is what Kaleb wanted.” Mirel said.

I could not believe this. Ashton was alive. He was here. We’d been torn apart by Kaleb when he found out how we felt about each other. He’d made me believe Ashton was dead in the hopes that he would break me. He nearly had. But Ashton and I had planned our escape and so I still went through with it on my own.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I said.

“Me neither.” He stood up and pulled me into his arms. “I’ve missed you.” He whispered.

Guilt overwhelmed me. One thought entered my mind, Ryan.

When he finally let me go I spoke. “You guys are welcome to stay here. There’s not much room but we’ll be together.”

Ashton laughed. “We were hoping you’d say that.”

Ashton got the sofa and Mirel shared my room.

As I fell back to sleep I was so confused. I’m happy with Ryan but I’d thought Ashton was dead. I just…I don’t know what to do. Somebody is going to get hurt.

It was my day off in the morning. I took Ashton and Mirel shopping to help them fit in and they both had their hair done. We bought some new beds so they would be able to sleep comfier and headed back home.

Later that afternoon I found Mirel admiring herself in the mirror, which she’d insisted I bought.

“It’s so weird not being in grey tracksuit.” She said.

“It’s good though.” I smiled.

“Yeah it is. I love it.” She did a twirl. “Ashton really loves you, you know. I wish someone loved me like he loves you.”

I half smiled and looked out the window. Ashton had insisted we buy a punching bag which he was currently pounding.

“You two have always been so great together.” She continued still watching herself in the mirror.

“Yeah.” I sighed. I still had no idea what I was going to do.

“So what have you been getting up to over the last few months?”

We sat on the bed and I filled her in on my job. I didn’t mention Ryan. I’d sent him a text asking him not to come over today because I needed to do some extra work.

After a little while Ashton walked in.

“Hey I’m going to go try out that punching bag.” Mirel said, giving me a cheeky smile.

She nudged Ashton as she passed him.

My heart raced.

“How’ve you been?” He asked, coming to sit down beside me.

“Not bad.” I answered.

“It nearly destroyed me when I thought you were dead.”

“Me too.”

“But now we can be together again and no one can seperate us.”

I opened my mouth to try and explain about Ryan but Ashton leant in and kissed me. I couldn’t resist him. I thought I’d lost him forever but here he was and I didn’t want to let him go.

That’s when I heard the door open and Ryan walked in.

Gen.1 Chapter 3 – Dream Walker

I was standing in the middle of a forest.

“Hi Blaise.” Kaleb said, stepping out from behind a tree.

That’s when I knew I was dreaming.

“You’re a thief.” I snapped.

He laughed. “It is rather useful.”

“Give it back.” I used to be a dream walker. I could literally walk into a persons dream. It was the reason that I was taken. Kaleb had stolen my ability and now he’s using it himself.

“Never.” He gleamed. “But, maybe we can make a deal, if you come back home.”

“I am home.”

“Blaise I will find you. You know that.”

I narrowed my eyes. That was my greatest fear.

“Looking for you will only anger me further.” He said, through grated teeth.

“Look all you want, I will never come back. You’ve taken enough from me.” I wasn’t only referring to my ability. He’d taken so much more than that, people I could never get back.

“You always were a stubborn one. I’ll find you. I did before and I will again.” With that the forest around me faded and I woke up in my bed, safe, for now.

I pushed any thoughts of Kaleb to the back of my mind. He’s trying to scare me. He has no idea where I am.

Either way I couldn’t go back to sleep. So I painted till it was time for work. And after work I painted some more.

I finally stopped painting to get ready to meet Ryan. I put on a dress I hadn’t had a chance to wear yet and set off. 

Ryan stood waiting for me when I arrived. He greeted me with a hug. I’d forgotten how good human contact felt.

“You look amazing. How was your day?” He asked.

My cheeks burned crimson and I laughed. “Not too bad thank you.”

After a little small talk he took me inside to get a table.

“It’s so weird having you back in my life.” He said. “A good weird.”

I smiled. “Yeah I know what you mean. Doesn’t feel too minutes since we were on that playground.”

He sighed. “No it doesn’t. I wish I could have stopped you.”

“Stopped me?”

“From leaving with that man. I’ve looked back on that moment so many times and tried to think about what I could have done different. I could have saved you. I should have protected you.”

“Ryan you cannot blame yourself. You were twelve and trust me, no normal twelve year old could have saved me from those people.” I tried to explain.

“Normal?” He questioned.

I grimaced. I’d regretted saying ‘normal’ as soon as it had passed my lips. “You know what I mean, just kids, kids are ordinary. Not like superheros or anything.” I blagged.

He narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t press me.

“Did they hurt you?” He asked.

I shrugged. “In a way, but I’m fine now.” Even with the loss of my power. “Good even, and I’m happy.” I smiled.

Though a face I missed and would never see again haunted me.

“Good, I’m so glad that you’re ok.” He smiled. “Do you want to dance?”

I hesitated.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.” He pulled me up onto the dance floor. It took me a little while to get going, but I was having fun. I was laughing. I didn’t care if anyone thought I looked stupid.

The rest of the evening we danced, laughed and talked. He filled me in on his life and the gossip of Willow Creek. 

And then finally as the sun was starting to rise he walked me home. Can’t really say to my door.

“I had a wonderful time tonight.” I said, even though I hadn’t slept at all in the last twenty four hours.

“Me too. How about we do it again tomorrow?”

“I’d like that.”

He smiled and we came to a stop on my land.

“I’m not going to lose you again.” He said.

He lent in and kissed me. I felt a pang of guilt but I buried it. I had no reason to feel guilty.

“Good night Blaise, or good morning as the case may be.” He looked up at the sky. “Get some rest and I’ll see you later.”

“Goodbye.” I said, as he walked away.

I collapsed onto the bed. Work started in few hours. I slipped into a blissful, dreamless sleep.

I woke about an hour late for work and dashed off the lot.

The next few weeks fell into a pattern, work, painting and Ryan.

Kaleb visited me a couple of times in my dreams but each time he just demanded I return to him. Which wasn’t going to happen. From his growing anger I could tell he wasn’t getting any closer to finding me. I ignored him.

After a while, with a couple more promotions and lots of painting, I managed to afford a little one bedroom house to be built.

Still very basic but it was nice to be showering inside. I used some of my own paintings to decorate the place.

Everything was perfect.

Until a bang on my door woke me in the middle of the night. I stumbled through the dark to the door. No idea who it could be at this time.

I nearly passed out at the sight of the two familiar faces that greeted me through the glass. I must be seeing a ghost.

I swung the door open.

“Ashton.” I gasped. “You’re alive?”

He didn’t speak. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

Gen.1 Chapter 2 – Secrets

I filled my time with painting. They even sold for a little bit of money. An art collector even suggested I get a job in the art career. So I did. A few weeks had passed and I hadn’t met anyone. I’d been keeping to myself. It was getting me down. I needed to change that. 

That afternoon I decided to wander into town. I headed straight for the library since I needed to research art references for work, and I still can’t afford a computer. Luckily there was one available computer.

After a failed attempt to research I headed to the nightclub, Blue Velvet. I sat down at one of the tables unsure of what to do. Before I’d been taken I was only twelve. I hadn’t been alone. I’d had friends. I pushed away the guilt that tried to consume me when I thought about how I’d abandoned them.

I got up and went to sit at the bar.

“What can I get you?” The bartender asked.

“I…er…I….” I stuttered, no idea what drinks he even had. “Er… surprise me.”

He gave me a quizzical look but made me a drink. 

The drink was a pink colour and it had a sweet smell, I sipped it.

A few people said hi and spoke to me a little while I sat there. It was nice to just talk to people.

“Are you knew around here?” A dark haired stranger asked me.

“Sort of.” I said.

“You look vaguely familiar.”

“Just moved here a couple weeks ago.”

“Hmmm…I could have sworn I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

I shrugged. “Don’t think so.”

“Hmmm… Ok, if you say so.” He didn’t seem convinced. “What brings you to Willow Creek then?”

“A fresh start.” I hoped he wouldn’t pry, I hadn’t even thought of a background story. I was not going to tell people the truth.

He laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Most people leave Willow Creek for a fresh start.”

“Why?”

“It’s quiet and small. Most people around here have always lived here.”

I shrugged. “I like it here.”

“I’m glad you do.” He said with a sly smile. “Need someone to show you around?”

“I don’t generally go wandering off with strangers.”

He smirked. “That’s very wise. I had a friend when I was younger. A red haired friend.” He raised his eyebrows. “She wandered off with a stranger and I never saw her again.”

“Oh…” I trailed off as I looked at him closer and recognised his brown eyes. My heart hit my stomach. I did know him.

“I should go.” I stood up and headed toward the door.

“Blaise.” He called.

I didn’t look back. I dashed out the door and straight home.

I slumped down on the bed. I could not believe I’d just run into Ryan.

He was my best friend when we were children. We met one summer when I was staying at my grandparents house like I did every summer. But after they passed away Ryan would come to see me in Sunset Valley. We were playing in the park and a man in dark clothing approached me. He told me that if I didn’t go with him peacefully he would hurt Ryan. So without complaint I’d gone with him.

“Blaise?” Ryan said, I jumped.

“Ryan?”

He smirked. “So you do remember me?”

I sighed. “Of course.”

“Quite interesting living arrangements you have here.” He came and sat down next to me.

I laughed, my first real laugh in a long time. “It is isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” He starred at me. “Where have you been all this time?”

My smile faded. “It’s a long story.” 

“I’ve got time.”

“No. I can’t.”

“Blaise. I watched you walk out of that park with that man and I never saw you again. I was interviewed by police. Your parents were hysterical. They asked me even more questions than they police did and then they disappeared too. I gave up hope. I thought the worst. And now here you are after eight years and you won’t even give me an explanation.”

I didn’t have an explanation I could give him. He could never know the truth.

“I’m sorry. I know that’s not enough. I just…I can’t tell you.”

He sighed. “Somehow I already knew I wouldn’t get the answers easily.”

“I’m sorry.”

“The important thing is that you’re here now.” He said.

I nodded. Relieved he wasn’t going to press me for more information and happy to finally have a friend.

“So what do you say to me showing you around?” He smiled.

“You know I already know my way around.” I nudged him playfully.

“True. Well how about I take you out then?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Tomorrow, seven o’clock, blue velvet?” He asked, standing up.

“Sure.”

“Great. It’s a date.”

He left before I could say it wasn’t. But part of me kind of wanted it to be. I don’t know what I want. I hadn’t planned on getting into a relationship with anyone. At least not anytime soon.

As I slept that night Kaleb found me in my sleep.

Gen.1 Chapter 1- The Escape

I stumbled through the trees. The sounds of twigs snapping in the not so far distance spurred me into a sprint. I’ve got to make distance. Branches grabbed at my hair and clothes but I didn’t stop.

I kept moving until my knees shook under me and my breaths came in ragged gasps. Holding onto a tree I doubled over. I could still hear their voices and they were getting louder. I closed my eyes and hit the tree.

I glanced around. A thick bush caught my attention. Not seeing any other options I darted under it. I smeared damp dirt on my face and hands. I held my breath as a set of footsteps approached. My heart tightened and pounded against my chest so loud I was sure they would hear it.

“Blaise.” Kaleb shouted my name.

I stayed still watching his black boots pace.

He called me a again and again growing more frustrated with each time.

“Where is that stupid girl?” He growled and kicked a tree.

More footsteps approached.

“Have you found her?” Kaleb snapped.

“Err…well…” A man stuttered.

“Spit it out.”

“No, no we haven’t sir.”

Kaleb growled and punched the man. He stumbled but remained standing.

“Find her. She cannot get away.” Kaleb stressed. “Do you understand?”

“Yes Sir.” The second man started barking orders and footsteps darted off in different directions.

I kept still. Minutes or hours passed but I stayed in the itchy dirt. After a while as the sun started to rise above the trees the voices faded.

I pulled myself part of the way out and examined the surrounding area. Everything seemed peaceful. I climbed out of the ditch and wiped my face on my sleeve. I darted off in the direction of freedom.

Eventually the trees parted and I stepped out onto the edge of a small town. I didn’t recognise it in person but I had memorised it from a map.

I headed straight for the train station. I bought my ticket with some money I had stolen during my escape. As I sat on the train my shoulders sagged and a huge smile crept across my face. For the first time in eight years I’m free.

I knew exactly where I was going. My grandparents had owned a house in Willow Creek. However, it had burnt down leaving only an empty plot. I’d managed to research it on a computer before I escaped and found that it had never sold. I deleted all trace of my search. As their only living descendant I could claim it. I’m almost certain my captors don’t know anything about the place.

The journey took nearly all day. I arrived in Willow Creek as the sun was setting. I walked from the train station to the plot. I still remembered the way from when I was a child.

I arrived after dark. It may have been empty but I loved it. It was all mine.

I hadn’t managed to steal much money but I had stolen enough for a few basic necessities.

In bed that night I tossed and turned. Even though I was miles from danger it haunted me. They could find me. I don’t think I’ll ever feel completely safe. Eventually I slipped into a nightmare filled sleep.

The next day the first thing I did, with a little of the money I’d put to one side, I went shopping. For the first time in years I could wear anything other than grey jumpers and sweat pants. It felt so good. Dresses were just the best. It had been too long since I’d last worn one. I got a complete make over. I needed to blend in. I wanted to fit in. With my new makeover I was ready to start my new life of freedom in Willow Creek. No longer a guinea pig for their experiments.