Chapter 3

Azalea wasn't sure how to answer. Her mind jumper to her father. Had he hired someone to find her? How did this boy know she was hitchhiking? How did he know her name? Millions of questions swarmed her head, and Azalea started to panic. The lady behind the wheel clenched her jaw.

"You have the wrong car. This is my daughter June." The lady said confidently, so confident in fact, Azalea almost believed it herself. The boy ran his hands through his hair and turned to the tree line behind him. After a moment of silence, he turned back.

"There's no need to lie to me. I'm not intending on hurting you." He said to Azalea. It was almost as if he didn't know the other lady was there. Azalea shifted in her seat.

"My name is June. I don't know what you're talking about, or who you are. Please let us be on our way now." She replied, carrying on the lie. The boy studied her face, even though it must've been hard in the dark. His eyes were dark and searching, and his face was strikingly handsome. Azalea noticed a scar, running from the bridge of his nose and under his right eye, as if someone had clipped his nose and then hit his cheek. The boy stood silent for a moment, watching her face carefully.

"I'm not taking you back to your father, if that's what you're worried about." He said carefully, his tone calming but the words frightening. Azalea stiffened, her hands clenched. Who the hell was this boy? If there was any chance of Azalea going with him before, there was definitely no chance in hell now. The boy looked conflicted, then stood up straight. Running his hands through his hair, he cursed under his breath.

"I'm sorry about this." He said. Azalea's heart tightened at his words. The woman behind the wheel slumped forward, unconscious. Azalea reached over to touch her, but before she could, someone grabbed her shoulder. Azalea looked in the backseat and almost shrieked. The boy somehow got into the car, even while it was locked. Azalea hit his arm off her shoulder, pulled the lock up on the door, and opened it as fast as she could. She had unbuckled, and rushed out of the car, running for the trees. The boy shouted something after her, but Azalea kept running. Once in the trees, she looked back. There was no sign of hun chasing her. She looked back in front of her and stopped running. He was there, about five feet from her. This was just a bad dream, surely, Azalea thought. There was no way he could've made it in front of her without her noticing. Azalea's throat throbbed and her side ached, but she ignored it. The only thing she could feel right now was fear. The boy put his hands up, away from his body.

"I'm not here to hurt you, or bring you back, or anything like that. For right now, I just want to talk." He said slowly, gently. Azalea's eyes started to blur with tears.

"What are you?" She asked, shaking uncontrollably.

"How did you do that? How did you stop our car? Why are you chasing me?" She kept going. The boy looked pained.

"Azalea, my name is Duska Pent. I'm from Aunt Mary's School of Unknowns." He said, watching her reaction. He slowly put his arms down. Azalea stood there confused. None of that answered any of her questions. Azalea closed her eyes for a second. She needed to think. She opened her eyes and decided she needed to get away from this boy. He stiffened, and Azalea looked behind him. He looked confused and turned to see what she was looking at. Azalea took this opportunity to sprint away, her bag still in her arms. She swung the backpack over her shoulder and ran faster and faster. He appeared before her again, and Azalea didn't stop this time. She turned and dodged him, running in different directions every time he appeared before her. He appeared closer than before, and Azalea didn't have time to turn. She closed her eyes tight, and ran into him, full force. They both landed on the soft dirt, Azalea on top of Duska. She opened her eyes, locking them with the boy beneath her. He smiled nervously, and Azalea didn't move.

"Um, I'm sorry if I scared you, but can we talk now?" He said, looking away from her. Azalea sat up, but didn't get off of him. He was fidgeting, not knowing where to look or what to do with his hands. He was obviously uncomfortable with Azalea sitting on him. Good, Azalea thought. It was only fair, for all of the fear and running. Azalea wanted answers, and she was going to get them.

"How did you do that?" She said, trying to sound tough and confident. Duska fidgeted some more.

"Do what?" He asked back, looking at her briefly before darting his eyes away from her again.

"How did you move in front of me? Or get into the car? How are you always ahead of me?" She said, trying not to sound hysterical. The boy closed his eyes, then slowly opened them and looked straight up into the sky.

"I'm not sure you can handle the truth Azalea." He said, his voice sounding strained and sad. She had had enough of this.

"Bullshit! I want answers, now!" She shouted, slamming her fist into the soft dirt beside his head. He flinched, but didn't look scared. Instead, his face darkened. He grabbed Azalea's hips and rolled her over, holding her down and bringing his face close to hers.

"I don't care what you want. You're not ready" He said quietly, intimidating her.