Chapter 21

Waking up, my head bumped againts something hard making me groan, I cracked my eyes open to see that I'm in a car. I gasp when the car hit a bump making the car jump, my head banging on the seat I'm lying on. 

I couldn't sit up, my body hurt like hell, my jaw is throbbing in pain, from the punch Ashton gave me before I passed out.

My eyes trailed at the driver's seat to find Ashton driving, glancing at the rearview mirror most of the time to look at me. 

I turned my head to look for Melisa but she wasn't here. 

"Where's Melisa?" I croaked, fear spiked through me, What happened to Melisa? Please tell me she's safe, God please.

"I took care of her," Ashton mumbled, chuckling darkly. Hot tears streamed down my face, my nails dug into the seat, I kept myself from screaming profanties at Ashton. 

"You'll never get away with this," I tell him, closing my eyes, trying to stop myself from crying. I know people who'll die mostly tell the bad guy that but it's true though, Ashton will never get away with this because Jordan is already looking for me. 

And if I know him, he'll search through hell just for me.

Ashton just ignored my comment. I tried to sat up but only got half of my body to lean on the car's door, my aching body hurt more, but I ignored it. 

"Lie back down, no one's gonna get hurt, except you." Ashton laughed at his own joke making me roll my eyes. 

I grimaced at the sweat coating my back and forehead. I must look like a beggar right now. Why am I bothering about my looks? I should focus in escaping. 

Glancing at the car's lock, I raised my hand slowly and unlocked the car. At least there isn't a child's lock. 

I bit my lip, stopping myself from moaning in pain. I pushed the door open, me flying out of the car and tumble on the ground. I raised my head to see the car suddenly stop, I glanced at my right to find the forest.

I felt hope that I might escape so I crawled towards the forest. I stood up slowly and started limping towards the unknown.

I heard him curse so I already know that he's on my trail. I blinked my eyes rapidly, stopping myself from crying, I escaped, but he has an advantage, making me scared.

I heard loud slaps of feat making me bite my lip, stopping myself to let out a scared cry. I started running, ignoring the aching pain of my body, ignoring the pain, Ignoring the fatigue and hunger. 

I looked back, to see if he's on my trail, I know that people in movies do this but you just cant help but look back to have a slight comfort that he isn't hot on your trail.

Thank the heavens that I lost Ashton. Not for long at least.

I slowed down, panting, my body still ached from the bruises and gashes on my body.

I heard a loud howl from behind me, not too far, I started running again, my throat's dry and my lips are chapped, my stomach is growling and aching from the pain and hunger. 

I gasped when I tripped, landing on my face, I struggled to push myself up, I have to be quick, I know he can smell me and he'll catch me if I don't try harder.

I pushed myself up, I think my arms are burning, or I'm just hallucinating? I don't know, I stood up and held on to my beating heart. 

I looked back and started limping towards the unknown. 

I heard a river from a far making me limp faster.

If I go through the water Ashton would be thrown off my trail and scent, I gasped for air, my lungs couldn't get enough for me. 

I think I might pass out, my vision is getting blurry but I blink rapidly and limped towards the river, I prayed to God that Ashton would get distracted by something to give me enough time. 

When I reached the river I didn't hesitate to throw myself in, I swallowed some water for my dry throat, I stayed under water for a few minutes, holding my breath.

My hair went upwards while I saw the dirt on my clothes and skin float through the water, my eyes burned and I swam up, gasping for oxygen. 

I went to the other side of the river and pulled myself out of the water, I glanced down at my body, my body is heavier because of my wet clothes. 

I removed my t-shirt leaving me in my bra under my black tank-top, I removed my boots that I only now noticed after hell in Ashton's cellar. 

My body is lighter and I felt clean, I ran a hand through my wet hair, I started running, my muscles aching from the pain but I still pushed to run faster. 

If I get far, I'll rest.

I stopped after running for a few minutes, holding onto my chest, I feel awful. 

I sat down on the ground and pulled myself to a ball, taking a rest, I hugged myself tightly closing my eyes.

I took shallow breathes until I felt darkness consume me. 

"You think you can escape me?" 

I looked around for Ashton, scared that he might come out of the shadows and pull me back to the dark cellar. 

I don't want to get back there, from the pain, from the torture, from the nightmare, from hell. 

"Think again," then it's quick, he jumped towards me with a sadistic smile on his wicked face making a scream rip out. 

Sitting up and opening my eyes, I look around the forest, shivering in the cold. 

It was night, the moon shining brightly above me, the stars twinkling and a soft gush of wind hit me making me shiver again.

I stood up, noticing my clothes are still damp from the river, I shook my head and ran a hand to my dry hair. 

At least something is dry. 

Walking bare-footed to my left, I run my hand up and down my arms to keep warm, it's working but I'm still cold.

I heaved out a sign and walked deeper into the woods, my stomach growling from hunger, I sighed again and sat down, suddenly tired.

Since when did I get this unfit? 

I ran a hand through my tangled hair and leaned against a tree, looking up in the sky, tears brimming my eyes.

Even if I escaped from Ashton, I know he'll find me before Jordan does, but I hope not. 

If Ashton catches me the escape I did will be nothing, the pain I felt during my escape will be nothing, my effort will be nothing.

So I hope Jordan finds me before Ashton does.

I hope.