'Well don't you worry, I won't tell no one' he assured.

A few minutes into the drive a small supermarket came into view and Bo twisted the wheel to pull into the parking lot. Once parked he turned to me.

'Did you wanna stay here or come in?'

I opted to join him.

Trying to keep up the facade that we knew each other I kept close, trying to hold normal everyday conversation. Something that was proving difficult to do. It was honestly amazing at how socially inept I had become after being so mentally isolated for so long. I barely knew how to interact like a human being anymore. It was something Bo seemed to picked up instantaneously and I was grateful at how he drove the conversation by asking me the questions or my opinions on banal things. You know, normal people speak.

The whole time I was going back and forth in my mind on whether to take up this offer of his. I was so unsure that he was just dragging me along to just trap me and out my true self at any moment.

But why would he have created such a diversion with that cop back there? Maybe he did hate cops. God did I really look that much like a damsel in distress? I could feel my lips grimacing at the thought. I'd been so strong, I mean I must have been at least a little, going on like this for all these weeks, although I had to admit my fervour was wearing down day by day.

Why was he so insistent on me going with him? His face and personality oozed charisma but I could see something there, lurking under the surface. Or maybe I was being paranoid. I had every right to be paranoid right? I just couldn't put my finger on it.

What if I did get him to drop me off at the next town? The chase would begin all over again ducking and weaving out of sight. I mean not that it's stopped...perhaps even one night of normalcy.

Fuck I don't know. This was extremely new territory. I mean this whole on the run thing had become so routine now, this was my normal. This was my life now. No one has ever offered me anything like this, what the fuck do I do?

'You alright Hun?' I jumped as I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Bo peering down at me, his face concerned.

'Y-yeah, I'm ok. Just thinking is all'

'Yeah, well I thinking too. Pasta or roast for dinner?'

A home cooked meal, my stomach fluttered at the thought. It had been so long and my growling stomach was urging me to make up my mind.

'Oh...um pasta sounds great'

He smiled, well rather smirked, he knew he was winning me over and I hated it. He went up to the cashier and paid while I waited outside and then proceeded to help him pack the bed of the truck. Before long we were back on the road again.

The woods were beginning to thicken even more and fewer cars began to pass. I was truly alone with this man.

'So' His voice cut through the silence and I flinched.

I stopped chewing my lip and looked away from the window to face him, waiting for him to continue. His expression was unreadable.

'Let's see if I got this right. You killed someone' his tone was blunt and abrupt.

I blanched and while not intending to speak my mouth hung agape and a loud garble of sounds emitted from my throat. I was running hot and cold all over the two sensations were almost painful.

I was completely paralysed with fear.

His lips spread into an abnormally large grin and the car swerved and came to a sudden halt between a thick set of trees and before I could even prepare my body to flee his arm extended towards me grabbing me by the throat, effectively pinning me to the worn leather seat.

I couldn't move my neck as I struggled but I turned my eyes towards him. I could hear myself choking under his grasp.

'Don't scream'

His voice was unnaturally smooth and cool. He inched closer with that same grin plastered across his face. I couldn't scream if I wanted to.

'Yeah, I thought about damned right. Damn though I usually wouldn't have guessed, you're such a tiny thing, you don't look like you could hurt a fly'

I gurgled in response, trying to let air into my lungs.

'Now listen, Ella, if that is even your real name. While your little brain was working hard in that supermarket I did some thinking of my own'

He loosened his grip a little and I greedily sucked in what little oxygen I could.

'Now, I ain't the most charitable of guys I'll be the first to admit that and most people won't be as lucky as you are gonna be today, but I gotta deal we can make y'hear?'

I nodded even though movement was limited, I needed to stop struggling if I wanted to breathe so I let myself go limp steadying myself to show I was listening to his every word. he seemed to like that as he hummed in approval and loosened his grip a little more.

'That's more like it'

His face was an inch from mine now and I could feel his hot breath brush against my cheek. I turned to look him in the eyes.

'Hm, you play nicer than the others do. Good girl'

It all made sense now, why he was so insistent on me going with him.

'So this deal. I promise you I will keep my word, from one killer to another. But lets be real first, I know what you've done, I can turn you in at any time and you can't call me out it'll be my word against yours. You a wanted criminal and me just some guy, who are they gonna believe? Now don't get me wrong, it's great meeting someone like minded for the first time but you've got nowhere to run and if you did where would you go? the cops?'

I blinked at him and he laughed.

'I didn't think so. So I think your answer should be real clear by now. I mean we have a dinner date set and everything'

He snorted in amusement at his own joke.

'So what's this deal then?' I choked out, my voice hoarse and gravelly.

'The deal is, I let you live. Now trust me when I say that I've never done this before. I won't lie, you looked like a mighty fun toy to play with when I first saw you approach that gas station but as soon as you saw that cop hoo-boy, I knew.

But, you gotta earn your keep. I ain't letting you stay around free loading. My brothers and I have a good thing going and I decided that maybe some extra help is always welcome. I think you'll be a good fit'

'What d'yo-'

He gripped my neck tighter once more, effectively cutting me off.

'All in due time, just feel lucky you still have your life. Hell I'm surprised at myself today. You're lucky I'm in such a good mood...So we good?'

I waited a moment trying to wrap my head around all this. This guy was obviously insane but survival was my ultimate goal, and I had to do what I had to do.

'How do I know the cops won't find me?'

'I've been doing this a long time now girl and I'm damned good. When we get there you'll understand...Now answer the fucking question are-we-good?'

I nodded and he let me go.

My whole body sagged and my hands instantly flew up to my throat as I coughed and wheezed but I stayed rooted in my seat, showing him I wasn't going to flee. He looked me over and seemed to understand that as he quickly added;

'Now understand this, you're getting off mighty easy sweetheart so if you decide to play cat and mouse with me. I know these woods of the back of my hand. I'll find you and I will slice that pretty little throat of yours. You clear on that?'

Once again I nodded, still too painful to talk.

I held my throat breathing deeply. I felt truly defeated, he was right. I had nowhere to go and I didn't even know if he was still toying with me what if it was all an act like his caring demeanour earlier? Maybe he would kill me.

Like minded he called us, was that true? Was I like him? I guess my real personality was buried so deeply I didn't know if I could dig it back out again. I closed my eyes, I was exhausted I couldn't bring myself to fight anymore at least not right now. Maybe this is what I deserved, my karma catching up with me finally. Destined to live "amongst my own".

'My real name is Ella by the way' I muttered softly.

Bo nodded as he set the car back into gear and we pulled back out onto the road. I lay my head against the window, the road was rough, causing my head to bump against the glass but I was so numb it didn't even register.

'Was it your first?'

His voice was normal once more as though he was asking me what I had for lunch today.

'Yeah, he was...' I realised I had never spoken of this out loud and I felt my jaw clench. He seemed to sense I didn't want to be having this conversation and surprisingly he didn't press me further and thus we continued to drive in silence.

It felt like hours but in reality it was only fifteen minutes before we turned onto a dirt road continuing to drive along it until we reached what seemed to be a washed out dead end. Bo however kept driving over it causing our bodies to jolt violently until we reached a bend and a surprisingly large and very aged town emerged right before my eyes.

It was completely empty. As we drove slowly through the town I saw shops and buildings that looked like they were from another time.

A music and comic store,

Pet shop,

Gas station and even a theatre.

And then;

'I saw that billboard for that House of Wax out on the highway!" I blurted out.

It took Bo a second to reply

'My Momma's work. This is Ambrose'

'Where is everyone?' I couldn't help but ask.

'This is my town now, as promised no one will ever find you here'

His words chilled me. This place was a ghost town

'You said you have brothers?'

'Mm-hmm' was his only reply.

We continued up the hill until we reached a large old house, this building looked older than the town itself.

He parked in the driveway and stopped the engine before stepping out. I followed suit and wordlessly helped him pick up groceries before we head inside.

The place was a mess, bits and bobs laying all around the place. Old newspapers, books and car parts amongst other things and like the gas station from this morning everything was covered in a layer of dust.

'In here'

He ushered me into a decently sized kitchen and I placed the bags on the counter. I went to unpack but he stopped me.

'I'll show you to your room'

I nodded and followed him up a flight of stairs. The house was naturally dark, most of the windows were covered and I'll admit the place gave me the creeps. he showed me the bathroom before directing me to a small room just off the end of the hallway.

It was even darker than the rest of the house. It smelt musty and unused like no one had been in here for years. It had a small barely double bed a cupboard, drawers and a nightstand.

I placed my rucksack at the end of the bed and looked around a bit more. It was suffocating in here but I withdrew any emotion from my face.

'Thank you' I muttered quietly.

I could hear him near me and he pressed himself up against me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I went rigid but fought to stay calm. His face was beside mine now and I could feel his breath against my ear.

'Never forget, I'm the reason you're still alive. Don't make me regret this, yeah?'

I nod stiffly and he placed a small kiss on my ear and before parting from me he uttered something so quietly it chilled me to my core.

'I own you'

And with that he walked out of the room and down the hall. Once his footsteps disappeared my knees buckled as I gasped for air.