Free Run to You by Tawnya Jenkins

favorite movie?” He replies.
        “The Notebook.  I guess in a way it gives me hope.” I smile shyly at him.  He stares intensely at me for a moment and I realize I haven’t told him about my dad yet.  “My dad…he um, he started drinking a lot after losing his job.  The doctors say that’s what brought on his Dementia.  All the alcohol.  He doesn’t remember a lot anymore, you know bits and pieces here and there.”
        “Ah shit Chlo, I didn’t’ know. I mean I remember you saying he lost his job but,” he doesn’t finish, instead he places his cup on the floor and sits beside me pulling me into him.  “Where is he now?”
        “Back home, his best friend moved in with us, Mac.  He’s been taking care of him this whole time.  He’s been a God send to us.” I smile.  “Okay…now, favorite color?” I ask again, hoping to change the subject.
        He stares at me for a moment, “Blue…not just any blue,” he reaches up and gently rubs his thumb under my eyes.  “This blue right here is my absolute favorite color in the entire world.  It has the power to burn through my soul and ignite my entire world on fire with just one look.  I could get lost in these gorgeous blue pools forever.”
      And then he kisses me.
      And it’s incredible.
      It’s at that very moment my phone chooses to ring, I don’t’ even remember where I put it so I have to follow the sound.  I look at the screen-Unknown caller.  I slide the green line over to answer, “Hello?”
        There’s silence for a few moments before a deep voice penetrates through the line, “No sleep for the wicked.  Time is almost up, run Chloe…run.”  I drop the phone and sink to the floor with it.
      Travis drops to my side and grabs the phone, “Hello? Hello…who the hell is this?” he shouts.  I’m guessing nobody answers back for him since he slams the phone down and turns my shoulders toward him.  “Who was that Chlo, what did they say?”
      I tell him, and then bury my head into the safe spot between his neck and his shoulder.  I need to feel safe, he is safe.
        “That’s it, you’re staying here with me and we’re going to the police.” He states as his hands rub soothingly up and down my back.  “I won’t let him hurt you, Chlo.  We’ll figure it out.”
      I don’t argue but I want to.  I want to run out that door and never look back, I want to protect him.  He doesn’t deserve to deal with my baggage but I’m terrified he will stay anyway.

 
    Travis
     
      The next few days are a blur.  I took Chloe back to her dorm that day and packed up most of her stuff after she finished giving her statement to the police.  I told Katie that Chloe agreed to move in with me, Chloe didn’t argue and Katie didn’t ask any questions.  In fact Chloe hasn’t really said much of anything since we left the station.  Against my advice she decides she needs to attend her classes, says it keeps her mind from roaming.  I drive her to school, walk her to class and pick her up, it was the only way I would agree to letting her out of my sight.  She’s been a zombie, going through the motions of life but not really living it.  I know something will happen, and it petrifies me, the calm before the storm is always the worst part…the waiting.  It’s been a struggle keeping quiet.  I want to pick her up and toss her in my truck; take her far away from here.  Kidnap her to a place that she will be safe, somewhere I can protect her; but I refrain.
      Eventually she will snap out of it and when she does I will be right here by her side.  Until then, I wait.
        “Hey blue eyes, are you hungry?” I ask as I drive her back to my place.  She doesn’t answer, instead she just shakes her head.  I sigh, “Okay, well whenever you get hungry just let me know and I’ll find something for you okay.” 
      She nods.
      No smile.
      No laughter.
      No smart ass rebuttal about