Running Away

" I have to go. " Emma tried to run away again, but this time another hand grabbed her wrist and started to drag her away. Jace looked at the couple and smiled sadly to himself, "I hope you get her this time, bro."

--

Emma looked up at the person who had grabbed her and with a sinking heart, guessed who it was. She struggled harder, desperate to avoid the upcoming confrontation she knew he wanted to have. But resistance was futile. He dragged her into the men's bathroom and locked the door. Emma refused to look at him and hugged herself tightly. Hearing him step closer, she took steps back until she hit the wall behind her. Even knowing there was nowhere else to go, she tried to sidestep him, but he grabbed her and held her in place.

"Emma." She heard his deep voice rumble. "His voice had changed, " she thought. "It used to be gentler."

"Emma, look at me." Refusing silently, she shook her head and kept looking at the ground. Feeling a hand on her chin, she felt him push her head up and she looked into those familiar blue eyes. His face had matured, his jaw was stronger. Where the used to be the carefree lines of youth, she saw signs of loneliness and fatigue, especially in his eyes. Those eyes that had used to look at her with no judgment were now burning into her soul.

Sean finally got clear view of her face and it brought back memories of their youth. Her laughter, her rebellious nature, her studious character, her gentle figure, all of this came rushing back to him. Very little had changed but he saw less laughter in her eyes. With a poker face, he kept his hand in her chin, his arm wrapped around her. He wanted time to stand still, just so he could look at her forever. The face of the woman who left him, with no reason or explanation. The woman whose face haunted him for years. He had resolved years ago that if they ever crossed paths again, he would ask her all those questions of why she left, but now he couldn't muster up the words. He just wanted to maintain this small moment of tranquility and keep really from setting in.

After a couple of seconds, Emma tried to wiggle free again. Sean merely tightened his grip on her. Neither of them wanted to ask the first question, afraid of the answers. Finally, Emma broke the silence.

"Sean, let me go. It hurts," she whimpered. She was trying to appear pitiful. But Sean knew her too well, knew how stubborn and clever she was. He smiled mockingly at her.

"I will never let go until you answer my questions," he said resolutely. "If I let you go, you'll run away again and never tell me why." Emma felt her heart freeze when she heard that. Tears started to glisten at the corner of her eyes and Sean started to panic.

"Don't cry. Please don't cry. " He reached to grab a tissue to wipe her face and as soon as he did, she escaped from his loosened grip and ran to the door. Unlocking it quickly, she sprinted out of the bathroom, across the hotel lobby, and out into the street. Cursing, Sean ran after her, not caring who was staring. It had been 12 years since he had seen her and he would not wait another 12 years. All of a sudden, he heard a screech and sounds of a crash. He started running faster, praying it wasn't Emma.

When he got to the scene, he saw her figure lying on the ground with blood coming out of her head and multiple scratches and wounds. Someone had called the paramedics and he could hear the sirens. He fell down on his knees, holding her in his arms. His body started to shake and tears were pouring out of his eyes.

"No Emma! No! You can't go yet!" He started yelling at her. The EMTs rushed over to them and tried to put her on the gurney. He refused to let go and the paramedics had to physically separate them, finally persuading him that he could go with them in the ambulance. Nodding quickly, he grabbed her hand as she was hoisted into the ambulance and the door closed behind them. The journey to the hospital was quick and she was wheeled into the Emergency Room. Forced to wait outside, Sean paced in the hall, not caring about the blood on his clothes. Finally, a surgeon came out and asked, "Are you the patient's family?"

"Yes, that's me. Is she alright?"

"Well she lost a lot of blood but we were able to save her. We'll give her a couple hours to wake up, but we are not even sure if she will wake up. There was a lot of swelling in her brain but we did the best we could." The surgeon put his hand on Sean's shoulder and walked away. Not sure what to do next, he waited until she came out of the ER and was brought top another room. He held her hand as the nurse brought him her personal things, including wallet, keys, and cellphone. Sean was putting them on the bedside table when he heard a phone ring. Looking down and seeing the words "sweetheart" on the screen, his eyes narrowed and his face darkened. He picked up the call.

"Hello?"