Note: Short chapter, but acceptable, I hope.


Please… please… please…

JJ chants in her head over and over.

There's no turning back for her now if she's caught. She knows she panicked. She knows she's made a mistake.

The only thing left for her now is to run with it.

"Bitch!" He curses behind her and JJ doubles her pace. If he catches her...

She reaches the front door and fumbles with the knob.

Her heart is racing, mind clouded with terror, when she finally yanks it open and runs out onto the porch.

She takes a moment to orient herself, drinking everything she sees in in an instant and struggling to formulate a plan. The yard is small, with a curving driveway. Though she can see the road from where she stands, she sees no other homes.

JJ doesn't have time to worry about that though.

There has to be someone. She'll find them.

But one thing is clear- she'll never make it if she takes the road.

She leaps down the porch steps, stumbling when her feet hit the ground.

There's a car in the drive. She doesn't have the know-how to hotwire it, so it isn't any good to her.

But she's sure Rand will take it.

So she runs for the woods.


Note: I always wanted to write something about running through the woods, y'know? Fun fact: I used to have contingency plans for attempted kidnappings when I was little and they basically all involved the woods.

I hope this update finds you all safe and well!