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Chapter One - Lost & Found The sound of my panting is in sync with my rushed footsteps as I make my way through the city's streets, ducking into any alleyway I can find which thankfully guides me deeper into the city instead of a dead end. My breaths are visible in the chilly night and the wind blowing through my light brown hair makes them fly about wildly. I groan when my arm scrapes a stone corner as I round it, but I can't stop to inspect the area which is starting to sting quite painfully. I must keep going. I must get away. The streetlamps illuminate the deserted road for me but there's not one person in sight. I jump out of my skin in fright at the sound of his yell from behind. I sprint faster with the hope that the darkness ahead will blanket me in time before he catches up and drags me back to my personal hell. Tears of fright and frustration brim my eyes, blurring my sight. But the determination to be finally free keeps me moving forward. It has been a grueling year and enough is enough. When I found my chance, I didn't hesitate to take it. And now, here I am running for my life. Just as I slip around a corner into another street I press myself against the wall to catch a breath. His faint screams and threats reach my ears, shaking me to my very core at the thought of him catching me. And so, I run through the narrow street and into yet another deserted road. Looking around wildly I worry my bottom lip when I can't find a taxi in sight. I know well no one would be willing to let a stranger hitchhike at this hour, certainly not when they happen to take a good look at my appearance. Walking on a few steps I finally spot a wine-red pickup truck parked at a gas station with supplies filled in the back. A moment of desperation hits me, urging me to go to any extreme that will save my life. It's a do or die at this point. I rush forward and swing myself over the truck before noticing a worn looking piece of fabric. Picking it up I slip underneath and hide myself, making sure that I'm fully covered. Where I'm laying is right in the middle so there are supplies all around me and hiding my huddled figure from view. I lay perfectly still and hold my breath when a familiar voice yells out my name in the distance. My heart rate spikes as I panic. Willing myself to calm down I take slow and even breaths. In a matter of minutes, I'm completely silent and still as I listen to him yell out another threat but this time he's much closer. However, my concentration is broken by the sound of footsteps making their way towards the pickup truck. I wait with bated breath to see if the people will come around to the back and find me but the two men, from what I can judge with their deep baritones, simply open the doors of the truck and hop in. The engine starts with a low growl before the sound of teasing and laughter floats to my ears. The vehicle lurches gently and makes its way down the street. When it's safe to do so I peek out from under the makeshift blanket to see the stars twinkling above with the occasional houses and streetlamps passing on either side. With a start I realize that I'm finally free. I finally did it. My life isn't bound to my tormentor anymore and I'm free to live however I please. Hot tears stream down my cheeks as I silently cry for my freedom. Never did I think it would be possible to feel like this again and yet here I am, in the back of a pickup truck to who knows where with just the clothes on my back and a duffel bag with my meager necessities. A relieved sigh escapes me as I finally relax and let a smile bloom onto my lips. It's the first genuine and content smile that has graced my lips in a long while and boy, does it feel good. I just hope this will last. Gazing up at the thousands of stars littering the sky I admire the view as I lay in the back of the truck. The sounds of faint murmurings of the passengers and the midnight sky with diamonds twinkling is certainly a good way to fall asleep. When my eyelids droop of their own accord and I let out an involuntary yawn I close my eyes and finally succumb to sleep, thankful that I have survived to see this day, to sleep without having to wake up and be tormented. *** The next day. I'm roused awake by the makeshift blanket being pulled off me, exposing me to the sun's bright rays and the cool wind kissing my cheeks. Sighing, I sit up and rub my eyes while wondering why my back is so sore. I blink to see two young men staring right back at me with wide eyes and dropped jaws. It all hits me like a ton of bricks. Running away last night, seeing the pickup truck, hiding underneath the blanket one of them now holds and finally falling asleep. I gulp and look at the two men who I assume are brothers with their identical light green eyes. They are both the same height but the one with the light brown hair is far more muscular than the blonde haired one. However, I can tell one of them is younger and probably still attends school. "Who are you?" The right one asks with eyes narrowed in suspicion while the other one asks, "And why are you in our truck?" I fidget nervously as my eyes dart around in panic. "I...I'm uh -" "Boys!" A deep voice calls out from behind us.