Chapter 8 Finally free

(Shit Blake is back! I need to leave now). I fumble with the metal clasp of the box unable to contain my nervousness. When i finally open it I stare at it's contents for a good few seconds trying to make sense of the items. There's a fancy key tied to a ribbon (I wonder what this key opens) i mumble to myself and there's also a sleep mask, handcuffs and some ropes.

(Great! I destructed myself with a stupid box, I have to go) I shove the box back under the bed and begin to climb over the window sill, with great caution i lower myself down using the sheets, There's no room for error i move onto the top of the fence looking down the height that separates me from the ground makes me falter.

(Just one jump and I'll be free, you can do this Alicia, you've come this far) I encourage myself and with that I crouch down and take the leap and just like that I'm on the ground, outside of the compound that has held me prisoner for the past 3 days.

(I did it) I look around to take stock of the situation, I am now standing on a quiet street along which typical suburban houses line themselves each shrouded by a big compound, with no time to waste I start running half expecting to hear the sound of blake's motorcycle right behind me but fortunately it didn't happen.

After running for a while i feel my legs almost giving out under me but i keep running cause i know I'll won't have another chance like this if Blake were to catch me.

After being on foot for almost an hour, I finally reach a rest area just off the interstate. There's a gas station and next to it a cafe, it feels as if i have stumbled upon a treasure cave.

(Exactly what I'm looking for) the bell rings as i push the door of the cafe open and there's not many diners inside. I take a sweeping glance over the interior and decide to choose the table located on the far end and i sit.

(Let me switch on my phone, bet it'll be flooded with missed calls and messages from dad) I thought to myself smiling, i take it out of the bag and switch it on and place it on the table in front of me. I wait for the flurry of notifications as the phone comes to life and the signal bar slowly increases. But the notification never came, not even one. Perplexed i restart my phone thinking something might be wrong with it.

(Hmm that's weird perhaps i dropped my phone that night and now it's acting up) I feel anger and rage starting to build up from the pit of my stomach slowly rising to my head. (I can't believe this! Seriously nothing? I can understand if dad or Aiden didn't get in touch during the first day. Maybe they were just letting me cool down after my outburst but this is the third day since I've been gone and nobody gives a shit. Well i kinda expected Aiden to be useless but dad? Really? His only daughter went missing and he didn't even bat an eye. I bet that evil witch has turned him against me, who knows what outrageous lies she has told him about me I've never felt so alone and helpless as in this moment i wish mom was here, nobody cares enough about me) a tear escaped my eye and i the feeling of suffocation was arising,

" i guess this is what pain feels like, at least i know my worth now" I look at my phone still on a state of disbelief that no one tried to contact me, taking a deep breath I still decide to call dad. I press the green button on his name and wait patiently but unfortunately my call goes to voice mail

(Come on, he missed my call which could possibly be my last chance at survival. Good luck living with that for the rest of your life dad!) I let out a exasperated sigh as i stash my phone away, the server appears with a big smile on her face to ask whether I'm ready to place an order.

"What will you have ma'am"

(I have some cash maybe i can order something I'm so hungry)

"Umm I'd love to have...... "

"Thanks but we're just about to leave" the sound of blake's voice right next to me causes me to slightly jump in terror. (Shit when the hell did he get here? I must have been so engrossed on my phone that i didn't notice him entering the cafe) I quickly scan the room and come to the realization that there was nobody else that could come to my aid.

"Let's go" Blake grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet, I relent knowing that nothing or no one will be able to stop him.

(He is incensed, I could swear i could see smoke coming out of his ears. I'm sure there's a price I'll have to pay for attempting this escape, is this my end) i feel Blake relaxing his grip on my arm. For a fleeting moment i feel almost safe and any thoughts of escaping fades.