A/N: Hello! So this story is no longer on hold, I finished writing Bloom (malec fanfic, please check it out) so now I feel I have more time to commit to finishing this story. I have so many ideas in my head for new stories, so once this is finished, you can expect several emerging stories! Updates will be sporadic since I recently started college and don't have as much time between school and work as I used to. But I'll do my best. Enjoy!

***

Someone once said that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Or something to that effect. I never really believed that, I think it makes us weak, makes us vulnerable. I think it sets us up to lose.

I wake up groggy, feeling out of place and lost. The side of the bed that held Phil is empty, and I'm instantly terrified. Launching myself from under the covers, my feet pound against the hardwood floor as I burst out of the bedroom and into the main living area. My body relaxes when I spot Pj, Chris and Phil all seated on the couch and armchairs in the centre of the room. Phil's gaze meets mine, worry creasing his brow as he stands.

"Dan, what's wrong?" He makes his way over to me, brushing his hand through my tangled curls.

"You were gone," I whisper numbly, gripping his sides and resting my forehead against his chest. His hand smooths down my spine, settling in the dip of my back.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you." Phil murmurs into my hair. I grunt in response and pull back.

"Have we heard anything?" I perch myself on the armrest, noticing that everyone else is showered, dressed and ready.

"No one can find Marcus. Felix tried to get a hold of him but he's fallen off the grid. Which can only mean he's planning something, we're just not sure what." Pj answers, fixing the cuff on his jacket. I push my messy hair out of my eyes and sigh.

"Well, what does that mean for us?" Chris leans back on the couch, folding his arms over his chest.

"It could mean a few things. We stay here, in hopes he won't start anything in our main building, but that means dragging others into it. Or we try and flee." He answers me, shrugging slightly.

"But where would we go? How would we escape them?"

"We don't know that we would." Phil replies stiffly before rubbing my shoulder gently. "Go on and shower, put on some practical clothes. We'll discuss plans while you get ready." I want to help, I really do, but I know there's nothing I can contribute. I don't know enough to be useful. So instead, I make my way back into the bedroom, grabbing some clothes and walking into the bathroom. I turn on the shower, letting it run warm before stepping under.

I let my senses overwhelm me for a second. The water droplets seem to have their own facets now, so different than what I remember from before. They feel sharper against my skin, hotter. Even the sounds are amplified, I almost hear them against my skin, a high, brilliant sound. Closing my eyes, I drift away for awhile, wishing more than anything that we were safe.

Once I feel I've wasted enough time, I step out, dry off and get dressed. I simply towel dry my hair before walking into the living room.

"Well, if we trust that Dan can-"

"We're not putting that kind of pressure on him. It's barely been a month, Pj, we can't do that." Phil interrupts.

"Do what?" I ask, walking forward, arms crossed over my chest. Phil sighs, looking worn as he passes a hand over his face.

"Pj thinks we could potentially...win in a fight with them if you...took their powers and used it against them." I want to appear confident, but inside I'm absolutely petrified. If it were to all land on me when it comes down to it, would I be able to save us? I gulp and stare at the carpet for a second before looking up.

"I don't want to let you guys down-" I begin apologetically. Phil shakes his head and offers me a small smile.

"We'd never expect so much of you, especially this young. It's unfair. All we can do is our best, and hope it's enough."

"Is it inevitable? A fight?" I ask incredulously, having foolishly hoped we could remain civil enough to not risk loss. Chris grimaces and Pj laughs without humour.

"I've never seen an altercation with Marcus that ended well." Pj claims coldly. If I had blood, I'm sure it would run cold, but instead, I just feel frozen. Phil slides his arm around me, but doesn't offer any words of comfort. There are none. Not now.

Hours pass in this room in silence. No one knows what to say, we all just soak up each other's company, committing it to memory. Just in case.

"Are you hungry?" Phil asks after awhile and I nod softly. Swiftly, he stands and heads to the refrigerator. I watch his movements, staining them into my mind. I have a sinking feeling that I need to. That our time may be limited.

Once we've all had our fill and feel slightly more energized, we're on edge, waiting for something to break.

Felix comes in not long after.

"I haven't heard anything, which could be bad news," he confesses slowly. At this point, we all know this, we all know how imperative a plan is, a way out. "Of course, we're more than happy to keep you here, where it's safest. But if you so choose to leave, we can send some guards with you to transport you." Felix offers. Phil glances around the room at the three of us, love hidden in his blue eyes and I know it's ultimately his decision to make, that the consequences will inevitably fall on his shoulders.

"I think it's best if we leave. We'd never want to bring this all down on you, and if we manage to somehow cloak ourselves from Marcus for a short period, we could make it somewhere." Phil finally reasons, but I can sense something is off.

"Alright," Felix eyes Phil knowingly, but says nothing suspicious. I focus in on him, trying to learn how he does it, how he sees into others minds. Right when I've figured it out, his gaze snaps to me and Phil turns to look at me.

And then I've been found out. Phil's mind is cloudy. He's not settling on one thought, millions of things cycling through his mind. It's frustrating to see clearly that he's trying so hard to hide something from me. I don't understand it.

"Dan, it's rude to intrude on people's thoughts." He scolds. I glare icily at him.

"It's rude to keep things from your boyfriend and best friends when it could be life or death, Phil." I argue, but he just shakes his head, turning his back to me to look at Felix.

"If you could find someone to cloak us and find us another centre to go to, that would be greatly appreciated." Felix nods and smiles tightly.

"I'll stop by when everything's sorted."

*

Several more hours seem to pass before Felix renters the room. Vampires don't do much, I've noticed. The tv has been on, but no one really watches it. We've all been caught up in the fact that we can't do anything about the possibility that we may soon die. It's a big burden, and something not easy to come to terms with.

"Everything's in order. I'll have an escort take you out the underground way." Phil nods and I watch as Pj and Chris go into their room to pack their things. Following suite, I enter our bedroom with Phil, helping him pack the few things we took out.

"Where are we going?" I ask when the silence becomes too much.

"Italy. Marzia has connections there, she lived there several years ago. Once we get there they'll house us at the centre." I nod slowly, having always wanted to go to Italy. I just thought I'd be human. Thought that the trip wouldn't be riddled with fear and imminent death being held over my head.

The underground tunnel is damp but otherwise resembles a long hallway. At the end a car is waiting with a driver.

"Jim, it's so nice to see you again. I'm so sorry it's under such circumstances." Phil apologizes while shaking the mans hand. He smiles sadly and nods as they exchange words.

"Dan?" I'm snapped out of my daydream when Jim calls my name. I set my duffel in the trunk of the black SUV before walking over. "Phil says you're a mimicry. If you could focus on my skill while we drive, it could help immensely." He explains, going on to tell me how he can essentially cover our tracks and make it impossible for Marcus to find us. Once we're in the SUV, the sun is going down again. We napped sporadically throughout the rest of the day, but not enough to feel well rested.

The drive to the airport seems long, which I suppose it is. I focus on Jim the entire time, and eventually, feel as if I may be doing an okay job.

It's around midnight when we get there, getting on a private jet. Again, something I would've always loved to do, but now there's a blanket of despair over it. Jim and Phil talk amongst themselves, as do Pj and Chris, but I ignore them, leaning into Phil and looking out the window.

When we land several hours later, it's not in Italy.

Phil stands and follows Jim to the front of the plane. I wish more than ever that Felix was around so I could hear the thoughts in his mind.

"Phil?" I call up to him. He turns to me curiously and I take that as an invitation to go over. "Where are we?" I ask, leaning into his side. He wraps his arm protectively around me.

"Stopping for a minute. Jim left on an empty stomach. I'll be right back."

"Can't I come?" I ask, furrowing my brows. Phil just smiles and kisses me, making me feel all electrified and stuff.

"Nah, keep Jim company, I won't be gone long, just meeting a friend outside." I sigh but nod, watching as he exits the plane. He doesn't say anything else, and then as he starts chattering mindlessly, Jim is pulling me into the cabin of the plane.

Before I realize what's happening, the planes already taken off.

Without Phil.