Nya's POV

The days passed by in a flash, and Jay and I grew closer and closer. Next week I'd be going to his place to start building our project.

Now it was Friday night, and I was finalising my packing. Lloyd would be here any minute with Cole and Seliel, and we'd be off on our cabin trip.

Unfortunately Kai couldn't join us; his procrastination caused him to miss out bigtime, so now it was like a birthday trip/double date.

Lugging my backpack down (I didn't pack much since it wasn't gonna be a long trip), Kai is waiting in the living room, typing on his laptop aggressively. 

"Enjoy!" He calls out, giving me a two fingered salute. 

"Yup!" Lloyd's jeep is outside, and I make my way towards it, ditching my bag in the trunk and joining him in the front.

From the backseats, Seliel threw her hands up in the air, "Let's get this party started!"

The drive to the cabin wasn't too long, considering how Lloyd was speeding half the time, causing me to grip my seat. I felt uneasy about this, so I leaned over, tapping Lloyd on the shoulder, "Hey, uh, can we slow down a little?"

"Oh, come on!" The jeep sped up more and I yelped, adrenaline flowing through my veins. And not in a good way.

"Lloyd, it's not funny."

"Loosen up, would ya?" He gently shook me by my shoulder, "Always so uptight! C'mon, this is your weekend, 'kay? Have some fun!"

So whilst the other three shouted and cheered, I sat there silently, praying to the FSM that we wouldn't crash.

Cole senses my discomfort, leaning forward to switch on the radio. 

"Hey, let's all sing along!"

And so they did, me watching with a small smile, still feeling...not-so okay with Lloyd's driving.

The roads were all empty and dark, and we had only Lloyd's headlights to guide the way.

"So what's the plan, then?" Lloyd asked, now driving at a reasonable speed. 

Seliel shook a large tote bag, "I brought the goods!" I watch in horror as she pulls out beer, vodka, tequila, and several vapes, plus a small-ish tin, "Lloyd, there's cups in the cabin, aren't there?"

"Of course. Here's to eighteen!" He sped up again, holding up my hand, our fingers intertwined tightly.

It's rainy by the time we arrive, hurriedly rushing in with our stuff, before shutting the door and switching on the lights. We automatically make ourselves at home in the living room. Well, the others did. They set up the alcohol and the vapes on the coffee table, pouring out beer for everyone in mismatched mugs.

"Here's to Nya!" They cheered, clinking ceramic aganinst ceramic and chugging down the liquid. I take a mere sip, scrunching my face up at the taste whilst the others are already pouring out more, powering up the vapes too.

"Let's play a game!" Seliel suggested, standing up wobbily and grabbing me by the shoulders, "Birthday girl! You're the seeker, and we're all gonna hide! 'Kay?" 

She doesn't give me time to respond, pushing me into the small closet under the stairs as Lloyd and Cole whooped and cheered. There was the sound of a lock clicking and several footsteps. 

Now it was silent. The inside of the closet was dark and musty, and I breathed heavily before going to open the door.

But it didn't budge.

I twist the handle more, as much as I could but still nothing. Panic flares up within me and I frantically bang against the wood, "Guys? Guys, let me out! This isn't funny!"

Still nothing. I scream, pounding the walls in the darkness, "Help me! I wanna get out!" Using all my body weight, I hurl myself against the door, "LLOYD! COLE! SELIEL! PLEASE!"

Tears run down my cheeks and my voice grows hoarse. My throat gradually hurts more and more each time I scream, the palms of my hand stinging as I hit the door as hard as I could.

In, out.

In, out.

In, out

In, out,

In, 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3,4

In, 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3,4

In, 2, 3, 4, out, 2, 3,4

I roam through the darkness, locating a large hammer. Taking it, I bash the door. Hard. It slowly wobbles on its hinges, before opening just a crack. I hit the heavy metal against the screwed hinges and the door fell flat to the ground. 

Throwing the tool aside, I use my sleeves to wipe away the tears, before going to the living room, grabbing my phone and heading to the front door. 

I was done.

I was so done and out of this hellhole.

It's raining outside but that was the least of my problems. I break out into a sprint, taking various shortcuts. I'd been to the cabin with Lloyd many times so I knew every shortcut at this point. 

But it didn't stop me from getting completely drenched by the hot summers' rain.

My phone was my flashlight as I trudged through the muddy paths. I sniffle softly as I remember the events of the night that led to this moment. 

They're idiots. All of them.

My foot skids forward and I fall to the ground, crying out as a stabbing pain shoots through my leg. Rolling up my jeans, I see a deep gash of blood seeping out. The rain grows heavier, and I stumble through the wet, deserted streets of Wooldrove Close. My house was further away, but I did know someone who lived here who could help me.

Crossing the roads, I limp to where the fancy gates stood shut. Pressing the buzzer several times, I speak into the mic, "Jay? Jay!"

Silence. Oh, what was I thinking? He was probably asleep right now. I lean my head against the pillar, sobbing quietly.

At last, a crackling noise was heard. Oh God, please don't tell me it's lightning. I was so screwed-

"Nya?"

I gasp, pressing down on the mic again, "Jay!"

"What are you doing? It's so late!"

"I..." I can't stop myself from breaking down through the mic, "I need help."

"I'll be right there. Hang on."

Within seconds, the front doors open, as do the gates and Jay rushes out with an umbrella, a look of concern plastered across his face, "FSM, what happened to you? Is that blood?! Hang on, give me a minute. Here."

Handing me the umbrella, I'm suddenly lifted off the ground and carried towards the house.

"I got you, you're okay."

Jay sets me down on the floor, an arm wrapped around me to help me stand as he uses the fancy panel to close the doors and gates, switching on the lights to the ground floor and helping me to the couch, "Shit, you're soaking."

He disappears, coming back with several towels, all snowy white, and a first aid kit. Setting everything down, he gently props my wounded leg up on his lap, rolling up the jeans and wincing as he sees the blood still flowing down to my blood-stained socks.

"Here, this is gonna hurt a little, so bear with me."

Something cold and damp is pressed against my leg, and it stings the pain. Tears seep from my eyes and I grip Jay's shoulder tightly.

He works quickly, dabbing up the wound and taking out some bandages, "Hey, do you wanna use the shower? I'll get you some clean clothes you can wear..."

I nod softly. Jay helps me up to his room. My eyes graze past the home library where we had our first proper encounter, and the memories of the part drift back into my brain.

We enter a posh looking bathroom, and Jay pulls out various soap bottles, "Here, take as long as you need. I'll be back."

I take a very hot shower, squeezing my eyes shut as the water hits my leg. Scrubbing hard at my body, I used as much soap as it took, massaging the foamy liquid onto my skin.

Needless to say, Jay definitely needed a new bottle of body wash later.

A large towel draped around my body, I step out onto the carpeted floor where a fresh set of clothes is set out for me to wear. A pair of navy joggers, plus a large shirt to go with it.

Drying myself off, I slip on the new clothes. The joggers had adjustable ties which I pulled on hard, till it fit snug around my waist. The shirt too, was considerably big on me, but I honestly did not care.

Jay was waiting for me in the living room, shooting me a friendly smile when I walked in. "I'll bandage that up for you. In the meantime I made you some hot chocolate, extra whipped cream and marshmallows." Handing me the mug, he delicately wraps the gauze around my leg as I sip the hot drink.

"Thank you," I whisper as he puts the kit away. He comes back and sits beside me, his hand comfortingly on my knee, before pulling me into a firm hug which I don't back away from. Setting the mug down, I cuddle into his chest while he wraps his arms around me, stroking my back soothingly, his chin resting atop of my head, 

"I called your brother," he informed me, "Listen, you don't have to tell me what happened if you're not comfortable with it but at least tell Kai, okay?"

"I will," I mumble, eyelids heavy. Being held in Jay's arms, I had a warm buzzing feeling inside, a feeling that everything would be alright with him.

He gently moves away, letting me lie down on the sofa, "Get some rest." 

I feel a thick blanket being pulled over my body, and a faint feeling of lips on my forehead, "I'll be right here, 'kay?"

"Okay..."