Chapter 11

I, 2, 3!

I shoved down the shackle with all my power. I felt my wrist break in multiple spots as I fought it all the way off. I looked down to see my limp hand with my wrist partially skinned and bleeding. I quickly stood, ignored the searing pain, and quietly opened the door. I looked down the hallway and was relieved to see no one. I silently closed the door and found a basket of laundry in a cart at the end of the hallway.

I rummaged through the pile with my usable hand and found a large men's sweatshirt, a woman's pair of black leggings, and saw a pair of flipflops outside a door in the next hallway. I rushed to put on the clothes and shoes before running down the stairs.

The elevator would be a risk that was not worth it. As I went out the front door of the hotel, I was thankful to see a familiar car outside. I rushed into it, shut the door, looked to Chris, and hissed, "Drive!"

He quickly complied as Collen looked back from the passenger's seat to me with anger. "Why aren't you answering your phone!"

I looked down to my lap as I pulled my legs into the seat, "Jonathan kept calling, so I shut it off and threw it away. He could track me with that. You two need to throw yours away too." Collen looked to Chris, who handed him a phone with a large sigh.

"I just got that; you know."

Collen rummaged in his pockets, pulled out his phone, and threw them both out of the window, "Stop complaining or we will really miss this flight."

"Where to?"

"Ty said you talked about Australia." I nodded as I looked to him, "Your eyes are red, did you cry?"

I looked out the window, "I am allowed to have a moment of weakness."

He sighed before turning back around, "Ty and Luther are following us on the flight after ours. Apparently, Luther figured out what would probably happen and already resigned." He scoffed, "Ty said he came home, and Luther had their bags packed and tickets in hand. He really found a good one."

"Chris, do you have anything I could use to wipe my face? I think I missed a spot of blood."

"There should be a rag in the back row."

I looked back and saw a very stained rag, but I had no choice. I grabbed it, looked to make sure I was not being watched, slid down my sweatshirt sleeve, and quickly wrapped the rag tightly around my bleeding wrist. Pain shot up my arm and I had to fight my urge to cry out. I tied the rag into a knot after wrapping it around a second time. I looked to my work and saw that, other than where there was blood, my fingers and wrist were blue and purple bruises. I pulled my sleeve over my hands, placed them in my lap, and laid against the door and window.

When we reached the airport, Collen got out and opened my door. I got out and made sure only to use my right wrist. As I followed Collen, Chris walked behind me. I suddenly felt a sickening sensation and violently shook. Chris grabbed my arms, "Are you alright?" Collen stopped and looked to me with worry.

I smiled to them, "Sorry, I am still worn out."

Chris sighed, "All you had to do was say so. We are here to support you in any way." He came to my side, wrapped his arm around my waist, and supported my walking.

"We have to hurry." Collen warned as we followed him. The sensation made my stomach flip as I fought shaking. I fought through the disgusting feelings as we went through security. We then rushed over to the terminal and saw we still had ten minutes left.

"I'm going to run to the bathroom." I said as they both sat down. I rushed over to bathroom and quickly went into a stall. My legs began to shake as I sat down. I finally stopped straining my muscles and shuddered as his essence flowed out of me. I was horrified by how much there was and fought back groaning as my muscles ached. Finally, I was able to wipe out what remained and flushed the evidence away. I washed my hands and rushed over to the gate.

We boarded the flight and Collen gestured to our row. I saw the three seats and quickly went to the one by the window. Collen sat beside me as Chris sat at the end. I was startled when Collen put his hand on my forehead, "You don't have a fever, but your face is red."

I pulled my legs against me once again, "I felt warm in the terminal. Once I sit for a while, I'll be fine."

Collen stood and turned a vent towards me as I buckled. He sat down, buckled, and then took my right hand in his. I leaned on the window as I felt the warmth and comfort of his presence. I was lulled to sleep while listening to Chris and Collen talking.

I woke up as a cold hand was put on my neck. I jumped with a gasp as I saw Collen hit Chris' arm as he laughed. "I told you it would work!" Chris cackled as Collen hit him again.

"You scared her half to death!" He hissed before aiding me to my feet. I noticed that people were filing off the plane. As it came our turn, I followed the men off the plane and into the new airport. I was confused when the guys sat down at a table near the terminal.

"What are you doing?"

Chris scratched his head as he yawned, "Ty's flight is coming in soon. Ours got delayed during the departure and landing so they caught up to us. Are you alright with waiting?"

I nodded as I sat beside him at the table. I pinched his cheek as he groaned in pain, "That's for earlier." I smirked before leaning on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around me and gently rubbed my shoulder.

"You must have been really tired," Collen commented as I met his blue eyes, "You slept through a hell of a flight."

Chris grunted in agreement, "We hit a lot of turbulence."

I yawned as I closed my eyes, "It has been a busy week."

"I left a note at your old house," Collen said as I looked to him with surprise, "I said you were leaving to find a cure for your illness as it was getting worse."

I nodded as I looked to the table, "It is for the best. I am glad Carley will still be there to keep an eye on the kids."

Chris groaned, "Are you serious! We should have been on your flight!" I looked up and saw Ty running over to me. I rushed to my feet and ran into his arms. I felt relief as he hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead before resting his head on top mine.

"We made it out alive," he sighed, "I got really worried after that ambush."

I buried my face into his shirt as I hid my welling eyes of guilt. The first time we have a chance to be alone, I knew I would have to tell him. "I love you."

"I love you more." He whispered with a chuckle.

"Surprise!" Luther sang as I heard Collen and Chris stiffen.

"What were you thinking!" Chris hissed as he rushed past us. I got out of Ty's grasp as Chris grabbed someone's shirt.

"Chris!" I hissed as he turned to me. I froze as I saw who he held, "What is he doing here?" I looked to Ty, "Did you do this?"

He shook his head, "I tried to stop him from getting on the flight! Luther got in the way so that he could follow."

I stared at Luther and he stiffened when my eyes flashed gold, "I thought you were on our side."

He rushed over to me, "I am, El! I see how you look at each other and I can't let you leave him. You need to know what could come of this!"

I looked down, "You really are just a human," I whispered before storming away. Ty grabbed my arm and I shoved him away, "Keep your pet under control!"

"El!" He hissed as I turned to Chris.

"He's not worth your time. Let's go." As I walked towards Collen, Chris rushed over to us. I walked out of the airport as they followed.

"There's a shuttle to the hotel." Collen said as we followed him. I hurried to the back of the shuttle on a large bench. Collen sat down as I sat next to him. I leaned on his shoulder as Chris sat beside me and took my hand in his.

We all looked over as Ty, Luther, and Cade came into the shuttle with their suitcases. Ty grabbed Luther's shoulder as he came close to us. By my gaze, Ty knew not to come near. He forced the two other men to sit in the middle of the shuttle with him. I stared outside as I felt Cade watch me. I met his eye and he saw mine spark gold multiple times before I looked to Chris as he squeezed my hand. "When we get into the hotel, we need to get you some clothes." He smirked, "You look like a teenager wearing her boyfriend's sweatshirt."

Collen groaned in annoyance, "You picked one too young, El. He's still a child."

Chris frowned, "We were chosen at the same age!"

"When we were growing up, I was the age of a father. Everyone my age had one or two children." He scoffed, "You were still a boy."

"That's enough, you two." I whispered as I leaned against Collen, "We only have each other. We can't squabble."

"Yes, ma'am," Chris said as he kissed my forehead, "You do feel like you are running a fever now."

"Even if everyone is arguing, Luther will need to talk to you." I nodded before looking up to Collen, "I need to speak with each of them. I need to get him to go back. He doesn't belong here."

The shuttle stopped so we exited and came near the men. Ty looked to me with worry, "You don't look so good, El."

"She has a fever," Collen admitted, "Can you look at her, Luther?"

He nodded, "Of course."

"We are putting her under your protection, Ty," Chris said as he stared down Ty, "We need to go get the essentials."

I stood on my toes and kissed each familiar on their cheek, "Be safe. I will be fine." I said before walking inside. I went to the desk and was given the keys to two rooms. I handed one to Cade who looked to me with surprise. I stared down Ty and Luther, "I need to speak you two," I looked to Cade, "privately."

"Lead the way," Luther said as he and Ty followed close behind.