A/N: I'm finally back. With a new pen name. It's changed from Ranel U. Owle to losingsleep20. Just thought I'd let you know.
I'd been struggling with writing for a good several months, but I finally wrote this during my writing class at school one day. This chapter is pretty short, but it's just kind of setting up the story. It'll get better, I promise.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own NCIS. I'm hoping I find it under my christmas tree this year.
Oh and reviews would be amazing. Anyway, onto the story!
Her feet sink down into the loamy soil of her mother's flower garden. Her fingertips spread out on the ground, steadying her body. She wants so desperately to stand up and take on last glance through the bedroom window she just slipped out of. Instead, she keeps crouched down and wills her feet to move away from the chaos that has quickly taken over her home.
She makes her way across her backyard, moving as fast as her feet will let her. The trees dotting her lawn provide a shelter that she's never been more thankful for.
Only once she's reached the tree-line of the woods does she pause to glance back at the long, one story rancher she had shared with her mother for the past fourteen years of her life.
That's all over now.
For a brief moment, her feet are rooted to the spot, unable to budge. Another round of men yelling is enough to set her off again.
Tree trunks blur together as she runs swiftly through the forest. Soon all she sees are splashes of reds, yellows, and oranges, testament to the fact that autumn has settled in during the past two months. She stops thinking and lets her mind go blank. She doesn't want to think. She wants to get out, she needs to get out.
Escape is all that matters.
She replays the words over in her head, blocking out everything else.
Crack.
Her head whips around at the snapping twig. It's a sharp sound, and it breaks through her senses. Alarms go off in her head.
They're catching up. No, no. Escape. I need to escape. I still can.
Her feet drop a little heavier than usual in her next few strides, and then she darts lightly behind a thick trunk. She listens, slowing her breaths down until they're completely inaudible.
Footfalls follow the path she has just walked and they slow. Leaves crunch with every step.
Closer, closer, closer...
She wheels out from her hiding spot, grabbing the assailants arm and twisting it. He cries out in pain and tries to wriggle free. She tightens her grip and pushes him to the ground, keeping the arm pinned to his back.
"Augh! Addi, chill out, it's me!"
The muffled voice stifles her movement, and she releases her hold.
"Hayden," she hisses, "leave."
He pushes himself up off the ground, trying to shake debris out of his short dirty-blonde hair. He shakes his head at her. Addi sighs, but steps forward and runs a hand through his hair, removing the leaves from his head. She can feel his eyes on her face, but doesn't return the look.
"I don't have much time," she tells him.
"Then it'll be easier for you to not fight me on this one. Let me tag along."
"What about....what about your dad?"
He scoffs. They both know it's a lame attempt. He smirks at his victory, while she frowns, staring off away from him.
Without a word, Addi turns and sets off at a brisk pace. She doesn't look back. She doesn't have to. She knows he's there, his presence is palpable at her side.
She starts over and replays the message again. Escape.
Hayden shoves his hands in his jeans pockets. He falls into step with her, his strides long and relaxed. He doesn't speak for a few minutes.
When Addi doesn't break the silence either, he questions, "So where are we headed anyway?"
"NCIS."