I'm not sure what made me do it; maybe it was the simple fact that I could run. Run far away. Maybe it was because I wanted to follow him. I honestly have no idea. I charged after Nolan, my feet sure and quick over the loose ground. An alarm sounded somewhere, probably from the train, alerting the escorts that we had escaped. I could hardly see where I was going since the day was rapidly turning into night. That was a major problem. If only Nolan had light hair; he'd be easier to follow. He turned right and disappeared into a large forest. I slowed down and came to a halt. "You have got to be kidding me." I muttered. I looked over my shoulder, where the train was sat, and saw Clovis, Gideon and the female escort piling out of it. I considered staying here, telling them what happened but…Somehow that didn't feel right. Once again, my mind shut off, and I ran into the forest.
"Nolan? Where are you?" I whispered since the escorts were somewhere behind me. I treaded carefully, knowing they'd hear me even if I accidently snapped a twig. A shape moved to my left and I whipped my head towards it, my red hair slapping me in the face. A hand clapped over my mouth and I yelled, but it was muffled. "I'm right here." He whispered in my ear, his voice low and menacing. "Now, I'm going to ask you a question and when I lift my hand off of your mouth, you better not scream." I tried speaking but his hand muffled my words. I quickly nodded instead. "Good." His hand disappeared and I gulped down the air. "So, why did you follow me out here?" I turned and saw him leaning on a tall rock.
"To be perfectly honest, I haven't got a clue."
"Not a single one?"
"No." He twisted his lips into a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's with the smirk?" I asked.
"What smirk?" His lips fell into a straight line. I growled low in my throat, not sure what kind of game he was playing. He silently held up 3 fingers. Then 1 fell. Soon followed by the next and the next. When all of his fingers were down, I felt a kick in the back of my knee; it buckled and I fell to the floor. "Miss Erwin," it was the sharp tone of Gideon; Nolan's escort. "Your actions today have caused us to reconsider how safe you will be around the others-"
"And to yourself." That was Clovis. My face paled. I felt like screaming 'I haven't done anything!' But I knew it wouldn't do any good.
I was pulled up and felt the cool metal of handcuffs click around my wrists. "What about him?" I nodded my head towards Nolan, who was looking smug.
"He's coming to." The smile was wiped off his face.
"What?"
"You're coming with us; we can't let you roam free." The woman stepped forward and grasped his arm, cuffing his wrist to hers.
"This isn't fair!" He shouted, all hint of the smoothness in his voice gone. It was replaced by the fierce snarl of a wild beast. "Why doesn't she get attached to anyone?" No one answered him, not even his own escort. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Clovis make a hand gesture by his side. He and Gideon walked forward, brushing past the trees with ease. I received a sharp push to the back and I stumbled forward, only just managing to stay on my feet. Nolan appeared beside me, but I didn't try to make conversation. Having her there made me feel really uncomfortable. Soon the lights of the still train appeared in my vision. Clovis and Gideon were nowhere to be seen, and for that I was glad. "This shouldn't be happening, it was all so simple." I heard Nolan mutter.
"Let me guess," I started. "You were supposed to jump off the train, and run. But your plan was foiled thanks to me."
"Yes, thanks to you," he had obviously calmed down for his voice had returned to its normal silky smoothness. "Now I'm back here, on my way to Capitol."
"And that is where you will stay." The sharp tone of the woman shut us both up. I sighed and stepped onto the train. You should've kept running; you wouldn't be in this position if you had just kept running. My conscience whispered to me. I pushed the thought out of my mind even though I knew it was right.