Tears blur my vision as I hastily slip into jeans and a hoodie, contemplating my next move. Do I just leave? Should I leave a note? Where will I go? I can't return to my stepfather's house; that's not an option. Camping in the woods for a few days might be my only choice until I figure something out. Right now, I have to get away from here. I'll never be safe as long as Vanessa and Alice are around. I might be the rightful Luna, but they've lived here for years. This was their home long before I arrived.
Leaning against the wall near Ryker's sleeping quarters, I sob quietly. 'I'm sorry, Ryker. I want to stay with you, but I can't. I'll never be safe here, just like I'll never be safe at my stepfather's,' I whisper, though I know he's sound asleep.
As the sun rises, I realise I must leave immediately. Racing out to my balcony, I climb over the rail and down the lattice, my heart heavy with guilt. I run in the opposite direction of the shopping strip, hoping it will eventually lead me back to Jim's Diner so I can orient myself from there.
Hours pass as I jog and run, constantly glancing over my shoulder. I'm deep in the woods when I suddenly hear a faint, agonizing howl in the distance. I know it's Ryker; he's just realized I'm gone.
Falling to the ground, I cry bitterly, hugging my arms to my chest. 'Please forgive me, Ryker. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave you!' I sob uncontrollably.
Collecting myself, I force myself to stand, wiping my tears away. I know I must keep moving. Then, I remember something Ryker mentioned about his ability to smell my scent. Scanning the surroundings, I spot a low-hanging branch with eucalyptus leaves. I rub them vigorously all over myself and keep handfuls in my pockets, masking my scent as I disappear deeper into the woods.
As I move deeper into the woods, branches whip at me, leaving red welts on my skin. The initial adrenaline has waned, and I can't keep up the frantic pace of my earlier run. So, I force myself to slow to a brisk walk, knowing that Ryker would have followed my scent until I used those eucalyptus leaves to mask it. I should change course, too, in case he keeps going straight.
Shifting my direction, I stop by a serene river to drink water, hoping it's clean enough to sustain me. The sun begins its descent, casting an orange and pink glow across the sky. I know I need to find shelter for the night before darkness falls. I wander until I come across a large, hollow log lying on its side.
I crawl into the hollow log, and as night falls, I drift off to sleep, exhaustion finally catching up.
I wake up, surprised that I managed to sleep the entire night. The sun is rising, so I decided to jog instead of run to conserve energy. After a few hours, I stumble upon a familiar road leading to the city. I must have already passed Jim's Diner.
Realizing I should stay off the road to avoid being easily spotted, I turn back into the woods when I spot the black Mercedes in the distance. My instincts tell me that the idea that comes to mind isn’t ideal, but it's also my only option.
Summoning my courage, I dash out onto the road and stand there, watching the black Mercedes slow to a halt. The back window rolls down, revealing Zenith.
'Zenith...um, hi!' I stammer nervously.
'I was beginning to get worried, Astrid. I haven't seen you for a few days,' he says with concern.
'I was staying with friends, and now I've returned. I want to take you up on that job offer if you'll still have me, of course,' I say, my voice trembling with anxiety.
Zenith smirks. 'When can you start?' He asks.
'I can start now if you'd like?' I offer.
Zenith studies me with curiosity, his gaze lingering for a moment.
'Has something happened, Astrid?' He asks.
'I am no longer living with my stepfather, and no one nearby is looking to employ new staff anytime soon,' I explain, carefully leaving out any mention of Ryker.
'I see,' he says, scratching his half-missing ear. Zenith opens the car door and steps out. 'You might as well hop in and get a lift, seeing as you work for me now,' he says, flashing a friendly smile.
Glancing around to ensure no one is watching, I quickly climb into the car as relief washes over me.
Zenith glances around as I check my surroundings but doesn't comment on my vigilance. One of the young men in the car, who only appears slightly older than me, smiles warmly at my presence. He pats the seat next to him, inviting me to sit.
Sitting beside him, I quickly fasten my seatbelt.
'Astrid, this is one of my twin sons, John,' Zenith introduces.
'Nice to meet you,' I say politely, extending my hand for a handshake.
John takes my hand in his, surprising me by gently kissing it. 'It's a pleasure to meet you too, Astrid,' he replies with a cocky smile.
He bears a striking resemblance to his father, Zenith, sharing the same dark eyes, dark hair, and well-defined nose. A few days' worth of stubble adds a rugged charm to his features.
'So, um, Zenith, your business, Zenith Creations, what do you do exactly?' I inquire.
Zenith lets out a hearty chuckle. 'Well, I do many things, but mainly, I have meetings with high-profile clients. I go through their designs and make their product,' he explains.
Curious, I probe further, 'Oh, okay, what would I be employed to do then?'
He considers for a moment, his eyes scanning the road ahead. 'Well, I could use another receptionist to take some calls, book appointments, make coffee, or do little errands that I can't be bothered doing,' he replies with a grin.
I nod, trying to hide my internal turmoil behind a smile. 'Oh, okay, sounds easy enough.'
Glancing out of the car window, I can't help but wish things were different. If only I could be back with Ryker, spending time with him without the interference of Vanessa and Alice living in Shadow Crest.