The yellow morning sun streamed in through the cracks of the pale blue curtains. The beam of light hitting Eleanora's closed eyelids as she groaned and turned away from the sun, sighing in content as she snuggled closer to the blanket. Blinking, she wondered why her alarm didn't ring. Maybe she woke before it?

Noticing the empty side beside her, she figured that Apollyon had gone out for his morning run. Nothing out of the ordinary. Turning back towards the clock, she blinked away the blurriness before noting the red digits displayed on the screen.

11:30 a.m.

"Shit!" She cursed while stumbling out of bed, tripping on the sheets in her haste. Running around the room, she hurried to get dressed just as Apollyon appeared in the doorway in black jeans and a black half sleeved shirt, his hair damp and his arms crossed over his chest.

Leaning his side against the door frame he watched Eleanora rush about and try to figure out what she was doing.

"Eleanora." Apollyon called form his place. "Calm down."

"Calm down!" She shrieked as she stood in front of the wardrobe, hair disheveled and clothes held in hand. "Why didn't you wake me?! We have school!"

"I didn't wake you because I wanted you to be well rested, and we aren't going to school-"

"-And why not?" Eleanora interjected.

"-I have already talked to all the teachers and the principle has given us a leaving permit." Apollyon continued as if though she hadn't even spoken up. "I've talked to Dr. Harold, who agrees with me, and Nathan agreed to watch over Sebastian in our absence, also Jack is more than willing to give me a few days off."

"What the hell, Apollyon!?" She exclaimed at his cryptic talk, not understanding what he was trying to get at.

"Why don't you freshen up and come to the kitchen for breakfast? It's ready." He spoke calmly before making his way back to the kitchen.

Groaning in frustration, Eleanora dropped the clothes in her hand before trudging towards the washroom. Washing her face, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her blue eyes shone brightly as her cheeks seemed slightly sunken, she lost some weight, Eleanora realized as she looked at her pale white skin.

Sighing, she pulled her white hair into a messy bun before she pulled on knee length woolen stockings to cover up her bare legs before wearing a woolen cardigan over Apollyon's shirt which she wore.

On her way to the kitchen she checked her phone, attending to the messages sent by various people, asking why she hasn't come to school. Looking up, she noticed Apollyon to be leaning against the window pane, eating a bowl of caramel crunch while a mug of coffee resided beside him on the window sill. He didn't look towards her, instead his gaze remained fixated over his shoulder and out to the view their kitchen window provided.

Looking towards the table, she saw it to be set up. Cheese omlette and bacon resided on a plate with buttered toast right beside it, another plate with muffins next to it. A glass of orange juice and coffee in front of her as a single white rose was in a single flower vase as a center piece. Smiling softly, she looked up again, seeing Apollyon peek at her from the corner of his eyes while sipping his coffee, but averted his gaze the moment she looked up.

Settling down at the table, she started to eat the meal he had made for her and was about to ask him to sit down with her but halted before the words left her mouth as she watched him drink the remainder of the milk in his bowl before he made his way to the sink, washing his dishes and placing them in the rack.

Making his way out the kitchen, Apollyon returned after a minute with her prescription bottles, placing them down on the table top, he got her a glass of water, settling that down as well as he leaned against the counter.

"We'll be taking a trip for a few days." He informed her.

"Where to?"

"It's a surprise." He smiled softly at her as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Why the sudden plan?"

"I just thought that you could use a change of scenery." He shrugged as he crossed his arms over his chest again, causing his muscles to bulge against the fabric of his t-shirt.

"You know it's not quiet warm enough for T-shirts." She commented with a small smile, which grew as she noticed his lips quirk slightly.

"I'm aware." He nodded. "I just grabbed the first thing that came in my hand."

"Where did you say we were going?" Eleanora inquired innocently as she downed the pills.

"I didn't." He smirked in response, catching onto her intentions. "It's a surprise. And it's going to be a long ride, so I suggest that you should wear something comfortable for the drive."

"Okay, at least tell me how long the drive is going to be." She whined about being left in the dark about this mysterious trip, glaring at his back as he washed the dishes.

"Lets just say that it's going to be a very long drive." He smirked as he walked out of the kitchen again.

Grunting, she got up from her place at the table and walked into the lounge, surprised to find the sofa overflowing with shopping bags. Gaping, she looked at the bags in shock before rushing into the bedroom, finding Apollyon packing two bags for the trip.

"Apollyon." She called out as he hummed in response. "What are all those bags on the couch?"

"Snacks for the drive." He informed her, not looking up from packing his bag.

"Why are there so many?"

"Like I said, it's a long drive, and you are bound to get hungry sooner or later." He stated nonchalantly as he zipped up the bag, placing it down on the floor before packing her clothes.

Eleanora opened her mouth to say something when he intervened before she could. "I think you should get changed so that we can hit the road."

Pursing her lips, she nodded as she took the pair of sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt from Apollyon's hand. Changing into them she wore the warm red hood that he had given her as he fastened his shoes.

Standing up, he told her to wait a moment as he loaded the car. She offered to help, but he told her to just wait for him. He was done loading the car withing ten minutes as he came back up the stairs, slinging a backpack over his leather clad shoulder as Eleanora realized that he was wearing his leather jacket after ages.

"Let's go?" He smiled as he grabbed his sunglasses off the counter and ensured that he wasn't forgetting anything. Nodding, Eleanora followed him down the stairs. Walking to the car, Eleanora got in the passenger seat as Apollyon settled behind the wheel. Fastening their seat belts, they drove off as music played in the background.

**

They left Forget behind a few hours ago as neither Apollyon or Eleanora had talked much since he was focusing on driving and Eleanora had gotten preoccupied with Tumblr. Switching her phone off, Eleanora sighed as she leaned back in her seat crossing her arms over her chest as she looked out the blurring scenery outside her window. Turning towards Apollyon, she found him to be leaning his head against his knuckles as his arm was propped up against the window and he was focused on driving, but seemed in thought as well. His eyebrow were furrowed together, making the worry lines on his forehead more prominent, an action that implied that he was thinking hard about something.

Taking a look at the side of his face, she noticed a few things she didn't before. Like the fact that his high cheekbones were on prominent display, something that wasn't visible before, which meant that he had lost a lot of weight. His eyes were sunken and he had dark circles under his eyes, which indicated that he hasn't been sleeping too well. Generally his skin was sun kissed and slightly tanned, but now he seemed so pale, almost sick. Overall, he seemed...exhausted.

Suddenly, Apollyon turned his gaze towards her, before turning back to the road.

"What?" He asked as he continued to drive.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "I'm just slightly hungry."

Apollyon nodded as he turned on the blinker, pulling over to the curb as he got out of the car. Eleanora watched him go towards the back of the car, opening the trunk. He settled back down while placing a plastic bag in her lap, inside which there was an assortment of foodstuff. Rummaging through it, she brought out a packet of Doriotos Spicy Nachos. Opening it, she offered it to Apollyon as he took out a few, putting them into his mouth as Eleanora ate some herself. Opening a can of coke she gave one to Apollyon as he took a sip before placing it down in the cup holder.

Reaching into his pocket, he took out his packet of cigarettes as he managed to take one out with one hand before placing it between his lips. Flicking open his lighter he lit the cigarette, and rolled down the window as he blew out a puff of smoke. Eleanora watched him blow out the smoke as she continued to eat the chips, seemingly looking at him smoke as if though it were a movie.

"Stop that." He spoke halfway done with the cigarette.

"Stop what?" She asked.

"Stop staring at me." He informed. "Why are you staring?"

"I don't know." She shrugged nonchalantly. "You just seem different. More...tired."

"Okay..." He trailed uncertainly, blowing out another puff. "I bough this inflatable back seat bed, so if you get tired just let me know and I can set it up for you to sleep." He changed the topic.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What are you going to do when you get tired?"

"I'll be fine, besides, I'm driving."

"You'll get tired sooner or later and you need rest." Eleanora stated as she leaned her back against the door. "What are you going to do?"

"We're gonna stop at a motel when we see one." He informed. "Spend the night there and be back on the road by morning."

"So we won't be reaching the mystery place today?"

"No."

"Where are we going?" She asked again in exasperation, wanting to know where they were headed.

"Neverland." Apollyon stated seriously as he put out the last of the cigarette.

Huffing in annoyance she glared out her window as she hard Apollyon chuckle behind her. She noticed his hand came up to ruffle her hair from the reflection in the window, but he stopped it just above her head, before he retreated it back to his side, full attention on the road as he sat up straight, not looking away.

Eleanora swallowed thickly at the action. He had been doing this so much...

He would always reach out to touch her, but he'd pull back at the last moment. There had been more than one occasions when he'd shift closer to her in bed, as if though he were going to pull her to him, but then he'd suddenly scoot away again, falling asleep with their backs to each other. It had been so hard since the last month. Eleanora started to crave his touches, but she noticed that whenever she initiated physical contact, he'd either tense or wince away, and it hurt to know that he was repulsed by her.

Apollyon claimed that he wasn't. But if he wasn't, then he wouldn't be acting like he does. So silent, so isolated, so distant, so disinterested.

Eleanora closed her eyes to prevent the tears form flowing as she released a shaky breath.

"I miss it." She spoke lowly, knowing that Apollyin heard her as she continued to look out the window.

"Miss what?" He inquired softly, briefly turning to look at her.

"Us." She murmured softly, leaning her head against the cold window.

The air around them grew silent and tense as Eleanora tried hard to keep the tears from flowing, but wiped at her cheek with the back of her hand when one managed to escape.

"I think I'd like to rest now." She informed silently, hating how thick her voice sounded.

"Nora..." Apollyon called out to her.

"Please." She intervened. "I'd like to sleep now."

"Okay." He nodded after a long pause. Pulling towards the curb, he brought out the inflatable bed as he attached a machine to it, watching it rise slowly before plugging the stopper once it was completely blown up. It had a soft furry surface and covered the back seats as Apollyon put a pillow and blanket for her, the two things he had brought with him from home. It was in black and once Eleanora lay down, she found out it was quite comfortable as well.

Taking off her hood, she threw it onto the front seat where her other things lay before she pulled the blanket all the way over her head, hiding her face. Generally, Apollyon would have placed a kiss on her forehead, but that was during the old times, now he hardly looked at her, much less give her a kiss. They were falling apart and it broke Eleanora's heart to the core.

She heard Apollyon get into the driver's seat, the car purring to life before it moved smoothly over the road. Releasing another shaky breath, Eleanora closed her eyes, trying to rid her mind of every thought so that she could sleep the pain away.