****
Connor
They crawled through the tunnels passing several entrances to other passages until they reached a wooden door. It was the backside of a wall with a wooden latch on the back. His Uncle lifted it up and pushed the door open slowly and quietly. His Uncle crawled out of the now open doorway in the wall and after he was all the way out Connor followed suite. Connor straightened up slowly and when he had fully straightened up his eyes rested upon the girl of his dreams. Cheryl was sitting on the floor legs crossed, eyes closed, and seemed to be concentrating hard on something. Connor's Uncle looked at Cheryl and then looked back to Connor with a face that read "I know you were worried about her, but we have to move." Connor walked over to Cheryl and kneeled in-front of her. He was just about to put his hand on her shoulder to try and gentle shake her when she opened her eyes. "Connor?" she said curiously, "How did you get in here, and who is that?" Connor followed Cheryl's gaze which fell upon his Uncle Henry.
"This is my Uncle Henry," said Connor smiling.
"Oh!," said Cheryl in an excited whisper as she stood up quickly to go shake his Uncle's hand. Connor's Uncle took her hand graciously and kissed the top of her hand.
"It's nice to meet you dear,"said Henry smiling, "I've heard a lot about you." A light pink blush crossed Cheryl's face at Henry's words. Connor's Uncle let go of Cheryl's hand gently. Cheryl turned from Connor's Uncle to look at Connor for a second before rushing into his arms. Connor hugged her tightly and kissed her gently on the top of her head. Henry let out a polite cough and both Cheryl and Connor turned to look at him still holding each-other tightly. "I hate to interrupt,"he said to both of them, "But, I'm afraid we must get moving." Connor and Cheryl nodded at him and broke their embrace. Connor's Uncle walked back over to the doorway in the wall and crawled back inside motioning for the two to follow him. Connor told Cheryl to get in-front of him and she cautiously crawled into the tunnel after Connor's Uncle. As soon as Cheryl was safely inside the tunnel Connor crawled in after her. He shut the door behind them putting the latch down, closing the door securely behind him before continuing to follow Cheryl and his Uncle. The group crawled through the tunnel continuing along a straight line except for a few left turns. They finally came upon a door and Connor's Uncle lifted the latch and crawled out the opening, exiting the tunnel. Cheryl crawled out next followed by Connor. As soon as they were all out of the tunnel Connor shut the door, since this seemed to be an exit and entrance there was a latch on this side too. Connor turned around and walked over to stand next to Cheryl. Connor's Uncle walked over to an area where a bunch of boxes were stacked in a corner and began to rummage through them, picking them up and putting them to one side. While Connor's Uncle was rummaging through the boxes Connor took Cheryl's hand and with his other hand he turned her to face him. They stared into each-others eyes for a few seconds before Connor brought his face close to her's and kissed her passionately. Connor put his arms around Cheryl still kissing her and she put her arms around him in response. Henry cleared his throat and the two separated immediately, Cheryl blushing bright red in embarrassment.
"This way you two," he said smiling at them and pointing with his hands to a now bare corner with what appeared to be a manhole cover on the floor, which had hidden by the boxes, but was now in clear view. It took them a second, but then what Henry wanted them to do became clear.
"You want us to go through the sewer?" asked Cheryl thinking he must be joking. In response Uncle Henry walked over to the manhole and lifted the top off putting down slowly and quietly on the floor so as not to make any noise. Henry walked to the edge of the manhole and began to descend down into the darkness. He was almost out of sight when he stopped, only his head was still visible. "You two can stay here if you like,"he said to them completely serious, "But as for me, I'm getting out of here." With those words he descended down the ladder in the manhole until he was out of sight. Cheryl and Connor looked at each-other, shrugging their shoulders and reluctantly making their way over to the manhole. This time Connor went first making his way down the ladder until he too was out of sight. Cheryl took one last look around the room and then started down the ladder. She grabbed the cover and pulled it over the hole, putting herself in complete darkness as she carefully made her way down the ladder.
"Connor," she called out, squinting into the darkness, "Where are you?" Something grabbed Cheryl's hand and she let out a small scream.
"Shh, it's okay, it's me," said a voice, it was Connor's. Cheryl sighed in relief, holding his hand tightly. They walked a few steps, being careful not to trip and fall on what was sure to be very unsanitary ground. All of a sudden a brought light shone and momentarily blinded them. Cheryl and Connor used their free hands to cover their eyes. "Oh," said a voice chuckling slightly, it was Henry, "Sorry I remembered I left a flashlight down here and wanted to see if it still worked." "Looks like it does,"he said to them. They followed Henry and the miracle flashlight through the sewer. They were grateful for the light, it would prevent anyone from falling onto the slimy floor which was only too visible now with the light.
****
Cheryl
As they walked through the sewer, Cheryl heard Chyrese's voice in her head again.
"Cheryl?"
"Yes?"
"You are going to tell them about me and everything else, right?"
No Response
"Cheryl?, are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here"
"So, are you going to tell them or not?"
"I can't"
"What do you mean you can't?"
"As long as they are with me, they are in danger"
"What does that mean?" Cheryl didn't respond, she waited for Chyrese to figure it out.
"Oh no!, you aren't running away again are you?"
"I have to, if anything happens to them, it'll be my fault and mine alone"
"But, Cheryl you can't do this by yourself" Chyrese was referring to Cheryl's plan to rescue her, that they had been talking about earlier." "Cheryl they can help you, and you know Connor wouldn't want you to go alone."
"Connor wiould just end up getting himself killed, and I can't take that chance Chyrese, I just can't." Chyrese was silent for a moment before she spoke again.
"Are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure."
"Just, be careful okay, promise?"
"I promise." With that the conversation ended and Cheryl kept silent, and continued to hold Connor's hand as they followed Henry and the through the sewer. It seemed as if they had been walking for miles. They didn't dare take a break, lest they risk being caught by Carlisle. Cheryl looked down at Connor's and her hands that were intertwined and Cried silently. She would never see him again after this. She wiped her tears away quickly with her free hand. If Connor saw her crying, he would know something was up. They finally reached their destination and Henry motioned for them to wait. Henry climbed up the ladder that led to a manhole and pushed it up and to the side so that it revealed a circle shaped entryway. It was completely dark outside from what Cheryl could see. The light from the flashlight faded away as Henry climbed up the ladder and through the opening in the ceiling of the sewer. They waited, still holding each-other's hands while they waited for a sign that it was safe to follow. They hadn't been waiting for more than ten seconds before they saw the light of the flashlight go on, then off, then on, and then off. They took this as a sign to go on and let go of each-other's hands so they could proceed forward. Cheryl climbed up the ladder and out the manhole and Connor followed her. As soon as Connor was through the manhole he replaced the cover. The group glanced around checking to make sure they were alone. As they looked around Cheryl noticed that she could barely see the lights coming from the town. They must have been walking for longer than she thought. "Where are we?"she asked. Henry was brushing off his clothes and smoothed his hair back before he answered her.
"Nowhere in particular,"he replied, "Which is perfect if you ask me." He smiled at her, he sure was a peculiar guy she thought. Cheryl looked to her right and saw that they were no more than a few hundred feet from the road. Connor made his way back over to Cheryl and took her hand in his. Cheryl and Connor watched as his Uncle walked away from them to a group of trees about forty feet away. They looked at each-other with puzzled looks on their faces and shrugged their shoulders and sat down on the ground together still holding hands. Cheryl relaxed against Connor, laying her back against his chest and closing her eyes. She felt him let go of her hand and put his arms around her. He nuzzled his face into her neck kissing it lightly. Cheryl smiled and she opened her eyes, turning her head so that she could look at him. He raised his face from her neck and met her gaze. As they looked at each-other Cheryl thought about all they had been through together and that maybe Chyrese was right, maybe she should tell him.
"Connor?" she started nervously, snuggling in closer to him. He looked at her confused with a touch of worry in his face, "What is it?" he said lovingly, taking the hair out of her face and putting it behind her ear. Cheryl hesitated and Connor's worried look intensified. "Cheryl,"he said, "What's wrong?"
"Connor I---" she started, but was cut off by the sound of a... "Motorcycle engine?" she thought surprised. Cheryl and Connor looked towards where the sound was coming from. To their immense surprise Connor's Uncle was on a beautiful goldwing motorcycle, black in color, with gold accents. He cut the engine and it was once again quiet.
"Well, don't just stand there staring," he said chuckling, "Let's go!" Connor was the first to speak.
"Wait a second,"said Connor standing up, detangling himself from Cheryl, "First where'd you get that? and second we can't all fit on that thing."
"It was a gift,"he answered, "and I know we can't all fit on this baby. Henry patted his motorcycle lovingly. "That is why I brought this," he said to Connor walking towards a tree and disappearing behind it. About a minute later they heard a sound of another engine and saw Uncle Henry riding the most amazing looking harley Cheryl had ever seen. Connor smiled at his Uncle.
"I have to say Uncle Henry I have never seen this side of you before."
"Surely you didn't think your Uncle was boring did you?", he asked him smiling, "Now you two take the goldwing and let's get out of here." Cheryl loved bikes and she hurried over to it before Connor could even take more than a few steps. She swung herself onto the bike and started the engine. Connor smiled at her and without any protest climbed onto the back. Cheryl revved the engine, man she loved bikes! Henry revved his engine and sped off towards the road with Cheryl following close behind. Cheryl enjoyed the feeling of the wind through her hair as they sped along the road. She hadn't ridden a motorcycle since the weekend before she ran away. A tear made it's way down her face at the thought. Since she didn't have a father her Mom had taught her to ride a motorcycle.
****
"Now remember to sit still and don't fidget," said Vanessa as she smiled at her daughter.
"I won't," said Cheryl slightly annoyed. Her Mom had reminded her of that a million times. All the same she smiled back at her mother. Her mother was sitting on a beautiful harley and looked as happy as she'd ever seen her. Even if her mom had had the worst day going out for a ride always made her feel better.
"You ready!" she asked loudly over the roar of her harley.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Cheryl replied starting her own harley. This was only her third time riding a motorcycle, but her mother told her she was already a natural. This statement rang true as they each revved their engines and turned onto the road from their house.
****
Cheryl blinked the tears away and focused her attention back on the road. They rode for about two hours before stopping to get something to eat. After they had finished eating they got back on the road, heading nowhere in particular as far as she knew. They rode until it grew very dark and then they decided it was time to turn in for the night. The motel they stopped at was one truck drivers used on their way to and from their delivery destinations. They parked in the motel parking lot and Cheryl and Connor waited as his Uncle Henry went inside to pay for a room. Cheryl shivered a little as a cool breeze blew across the parking lot. Connor noticed this and put his arm around her pulling her into his arms. Cheryl was grateful for the warmth and nestled herself against his chest. She felt him kiss her hair and she smiled. They just stood there wrapped in each-others arms until Henry came back. Henry came back waving two key cards and two replacement key cards. Cheryl and Connor disentangled themselves to face Henry, Connor still left his right arm around Cheryl. Cheryl gave him a quick smile before she turned her head back to face Henry again. Cheryl caught sight of the four key cards again, and a puzzled look came across her face. "Two key cards?" she asked puzzled, "I thought we were only getting one room."
"I didn't want anyone to have to sleep on the floor,"he told her, "Trust me, hotel floors are not comfy." He frowned in a way that made Cheryl give out a little giggle. Connor looked at her and smiled, this is the first time she had laughed since the dance.
"Okay, if you're sure?" she said to him.
"I insist," he told her, handing her a key card. To Cheryl's complete surprise he handed Connor the other key to her room. She looked at Connor, the surprise look still on her face and saw he wore a similar expression as he took the card hesitantly.
"Wha---" started Connor, but Henry cut him off.
"Be good you two," he said teasingly and smiling as he started to walk to his room. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do" he said over his shoulder, chuckling a little as he said it. With one last shared look of confusion they shrugged their shoulders and took each-other's hands, and began walking to their room.