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They both looked at me like they didn’t understand the word, and part of my heart drooped a little. Every expression that hit Cal’s face was a battle. His body was practically humming to chase me. I saw it from the glint in his eyes to the disappointment set in his mouth. Because, yeah, our runs did turn eventful. Something I couldn’t get out of my memory, even if I wanted to. But I needed to think, an honest deep breath, and last ditch effort to decide how to spend what would be a brand new year come a few hours from now.
Jack just looked pissed. Not that I was being challenging, but because he held his tongue and didn’t challenge back. He looked like he was…stuck. Stuck in his mind. Stuck trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation.
“You’ll come back,” he said. But if I wasn’t paying attention, it almost sounded like a question. Jack’s eyes held a hint of fear that I may just not.
“Yes,” I said softly. “I’m coming back. I just need some air.”
“Okay.”
My eyes shot up. Okay? Jack looked tortured, but he uttered the one word he seemed disgusted with.
“You make it seem like I’m asking for a lot. I’m just taking a short jog.”
Jack nodded once. “I know. But watching you walk away is asking me to handle a lot.”
I swallowed hard. “Trust me, I know the feeling.”
That may have been a cheap shot, and it showed on the harsh plains of Jack’s brow. I wish I could pull it back, but it was said. The truth. Watching him leave that day had changed everything. And it hurt. He’d walked out on me, I’d walked out on Cal, and now I was running from both of them. But there was one thing that was different.
“I’ll be back shortly,” I whispered, and Jack’s eyes met mine. I looked at him for a moment, then turned to Cal who seemed just as uneasy as Jack.
With that, I opened the door, and walked out.
~
The snow crunched beneath my feet. I’d decided that a brisk walk was more in line than a jog. Running in snow was tricky and I’d almost slipped twice. But I was heading back up the road now and toward the cabin.
The last signs of the sun were diminishing quickly, and the night was graying by the second. The air did nothing for my mind. The New Year would be ushered in tonight, and with that the promise of the future I had no clue about. It was like starting over in the dark after experiencing the light.
My breath fogged around me and the cabin came into view as I wound around the small road.
A loud shot fired and I jumped. Several birds flew to the sky in a scattered cluster.
A gunshot…
It fired again, this time closer.
I screamed. Bone chilling fear slapped my body all at once. They’d found me. Wanted me dead. I should have known better. I was easy pickings, just like I had been when I was young. Brock sitting back and waiting, keeping me on the verge of fear until he decided to attack.
I ran as fast as I could, my heart beating so loud it was pounding in my ears like a drumline. I sprinted faster, not caring that the snow was getting thicker as I got near the edge of the road.
Another shot rang out.
I tried to stay focused and just run. The snow around my ankles got thicker and gripped me like the cold terror surging through my blood. I kept my eyes on the front door. Almost there…
Jack and Cal both rushed out of the cabin, and I saw them both see me just as I came up on the house. Jack’s eyes met mine for a brief moment. “Are you hurt?” he yelled loudly.
“No.” I was just terrified.
He then he took off running in the direction I’d come from, right as I launched myself into Cal’s open arms.
“Gunshots,” I said against his warm chest. “Don’t,” I called after Jack, realizing he was bounding toward the danger. I tried to stop Jack, but Cal was pushing and pulling at my clothing.
“Are you hit?” he asked frantically.
“I’m fine,” I told him, but he kept searching my entire body, as if he had to see for himself that I was really okay.
“I’m just scared.”
