Chapter 18

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Lewis was relieved when he finally managed to sneak into his aunt's room, but as he thought about his conversation with Linda his fear for Ash increased. She had tried to be subtle but Linda had asked a lot of questions about Ash, and Lewis had to be so careful not to give anything away.

After checking the coast was clear Lewis began his search. After ten minutes of searching Lewis was about to give up, as he was afraid he was pushing his luck staying there any longer. But then something shiny caught his eyes. Linda's desk draw was slightly open and when Lewis looked inside he saw the keys to Linda's lab, he took them and put them quickly in his pocket. Lewis' heart dropped when he noticed something else. It was a vial of blood and it had Ash's name on it.

Lewis took the vial with shaking hands. Had Linda already examined it? Did she know the truth about Ash? Lewis ran out the house to meet the others, holding the vial securely in his hand. They had agreed to meet at Ash's house as his family was out, and when Zane let Lewis in he ran to the living room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ash and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Lewis, what's wrong?" Ash asked in concern.

This caused Lewis to tighten his grip, even when Ash was in danger he still put the well being of his friends ahead of his. When Lewis released Ash he showed him the vial of his blood. Ash gaped in shock and fear at the vial. Zane and Lewis pulled Ash into another hug, Emma and Rikki soon joined them.

"We won't let her hurt you Ash", Emma said.

"We don't even know if this means she knows yet", Rikki said trying to comfort Ash.

Ash let out a shaky breath, "I hope she doesn't know I can't lose you all".

"You won't lose us", Zane protested.

"Zane, you know what she'll do if she knows. I'll have to go on the run".

Emma squeezed Ash's hand, "If it comes down to that, I'm coming with you".

Ash squeezed back, "I can't ask you to do that".

"You wouldn't be asking".

Ash looked at Emma in shock and gratitude, his heart warmed at her words. After his ex Ash had been afraid to try a relationship with Emma. But Ash knew he had made the right decision, he was so happy with Emma and now she was even willing to give up her life in the Gold Coast for him. Ash smiled happily at Emma and she returned his smile.

"Yeah we're with Emma if you have to run, we will too", Zane said firmly and everyone nodded their agreement. Ash didn't think it was possible but his heart warmed even more. He couldn't believe that he and Zane used to be enemies, that his friendship with Lewis had grown stronger than he ever thought it would and that he had become friends with a girl whose walls around her heart were so hard to break. Ash had to fight the tears that were threatening to roll down his cheeks. He hugged them all as tight as he could, to try and show them how much they all meant to him. They stayed like that for a long time, but they eventually broke apart.

"Zane, that's the first time you've agreed with me". Emma said to try and lighten the mood.

Zane smirked at Emma, "Hey you're right".

"Okay, we need to go to the lab it should be closed now", Lewis said.

"Yeah let's go", Ash said.

"Oh no you are not coming with us. You're staying here", Zane said and crossed his arms.

"What? But-"

"It's too dangerous for you Ash, please stay here", Rikki said and put her hands comfortingly on his shoulder.

"But I can't stay here and do nothing".

"Please Ash", Emma said giving him a side hug.

Ash sighed, why could he never say no to Emma? "Fine I'll stay".

"Thank you so much Ash", Emma said.

"Just promise me you'll all be careful".

"We promise", Emma said.

The group left to go to the lab. After making sure there was no one around, Lewis took out his aunt's keys and unlocked the door. When Lewis turned the light on he gasped in shock. Everything was gone.

"This is really bad", Zane said anxiously.

"Guys look", Rikki said and pointed at the table. There was a note on it. Rikki took the note and read it.

'It was very stupid of you all to leave Ash alone'.

"Ash!" They all shouted at the same time and tried to run out but the door was locked. Zane banged the door to try and open it but it wouldn't open.

"We have to call Ash now", Emma said and tried to get her phone, but it wasn't in her pocket. "My phone's gone".

"So's mine", Lewis said.

Zane and Rikki desperately checked for their phones, but they were both gone too.

"How is this possible? I definitely brought my phone with me", Rikki said angrily.

"Remember those guys that bumped into us. They must have taken our phones".

"Denman is behind this, she locked us in and now we have no way to save Ash!" Zane said and punched the wall in his anger.

"Zane you have to calm down, we need to-"

"Calm down? How do you expect me to calm down Lewis? Denman could be hurting Ash right now- ".

Lewis put his hands on Zane's shoulders, "Ash needs us right now, we need to find a way out of here".

Zane took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Lewis, I'm just really scared".

Lewis pulled Zane into a hug, Lewis knew how scared Zane must be to admit that and that thought frightened him even more, "I know it's okay".

"Guys, I hate to ruin the moment but we need to come up with a plan", Rikki said.

"Yeah, you're right", Lewis said and the group put their heads together to try and find a way out.

Meanwhile Ash was pacing in his living room. He had tried to do anything to keep his mind off what his friends were doing right now, but nothing worked he was so worried about them. What if they got caught? They would be in so much trouble all because of him. Ash was jolted out of his thoughts by the door bell ringing. Ash was glad to have a distraction so he happily opened the door. But his heart leapt to his throat when he saw Denman pointing a gun at him.

"Come with me now", Linda said coldly.

Ash nodded not trusting himself to speak. Denman stepped aside so Ash could go in front of her. The moment Denman turned the gun turned away from him as she moved Ash darted back into the house, and tried to shut his door but Denman stopped the door with her foot. She pushed the door so hard that Ash fell flat on his back. Ash tried to get up but Denman hit Ash with her gun causing him to fall again.

Denman crouched to Ash's level and pointed her gun at him, "If you try anything like that again, you're friends will pay the price".

Ash's eyes widened in shock and horror, "What do you mean?"

"I know you were planning to break into my lab, I have them locked up in there and I was thinking of bringing them with us".

"No please I won't fight, just please leave them alone".

"Maybe I will if you really will behave".

"I will I promise".

Denman smirked terrifyingly at Ash, "Good, now get up".

With his heart racing Ash got up, Denman pressed her gun into his back and pushed him forward. There were two men in black suits waiting for them, they took Ash and handcuffed him.

"Please don't do this".

Denman brushed some hair out of Ash's eyes causing him to flinch, "I'm sorry Ash I have to. You have no idea how valuable you are". Denman nodded to the men holding Ash, they put him in the car boot and locked it.

Ash couldn't believe this was happening, it was his worst nightmare coming true. Ash's heart began to race and he automatically searched his pocket for his phone. It was still there. He couldn't believe Denman hadn't checked for his phone, especially as she must have taken his friends' phones given that they hadn't called him. Ash wanted to call the police but knew that he couldn't without them finding out what he is. So instead he called someone else.

"Cleo, I really need you".