The car of Zayden started with a loud noise, Alandria guessed that he was doing that on purpose just to show off how powerful the engine was.

*Rich people....tch....* Alandria thought as she shook her head.

"Let's go baby!" Zayden shouted in excitement and Alandria's eyes became wide.

"What...?"

"I was talking to my car" he said flatly and sped off towards the street.

Soon after, they hit the main road, no trace of Dr. Bertram's men behind them. The car was way too quick.

Alandria felt different. Since when did she start living the thug life? Since when did doing things which were not common exciting for her? She looked to her left and stared at Zayden. This guy....he was having an influence on her.

*Then don't get influenced!* her brain reprimanded her.

*Easy for you to say!* Alandria retorted, *You're inside....and....*

Then she remembered something. What if it was not Zayden who was influencing her? What if, deep down, she wanted to get out of her aunt's house and she took the first opportunity she got. What if running away was the only thing she wanted to do since her parents' death? Life with aunt Ninana was obviously awful, but was running away the proper solution? And what about her little sister? How could she leave her? 

*Please don't tell me this run is....permanent?....you're going back right?* her brain suddenly asked her.

*I wish I didn't have to.....* Alandria thought, *But I cannot leave Emmeline behind...and what kind of life would this be? What about school? What about....me...? What about....us?*

Her eyes fixed themslves on Zayden again. This guy...

"We've arrived!" Zayden said, making Alandria look away.

The girl looked outside to see a gigantic shopping mall. They've arrived. Why were they even here?

"We came here because it's safer to be around people?" Alandria asked as she shut the door of the car.

They were both standing outside in front of the mall.

"No. We are here to do what normal people do." Zayden corrected her.

"What?" Alandria asked, feeling dumb.

"Shopping" Zayden finished and started walking away.

Alandria trailed after him.

They entered the gigantic and colourful mall which had a range of boutiques only wealthy people could afford to shop in. Alandria wondered why Zayden wanted to shop at a time like this. Maybe shopping helped him to let go of his stress.

"Get in, pick anything you want. I'll be at the other boutique, there's more variety of shirts there for guys."

Alandria looked at him, then at the boutique he wanted to go in then at the boutique she was told to get in.

"I am not here to shop...I am just...running away...with....you...." she said the last word in a whisper and blushed.

She ran away...with Zayden. What the hell!

"Go, shop, I'll pay for everything! Come on! We aren't going to spend the rest of our lives here!"

"Wait, wait!" Alandria cried suddenly, seizing Zayden's by the shoulders, "If we're buying clothes...it means we're going somewhere where...we'll have to spend...a lot of days...?"

"You really are intelligent" Zayden smirked.

"Zayden..." Alandria started, feeling her heart race, "I....I...."

She wanted to tell him that she would like to go back home tonight itself, but deep down, she knew that it was impossible.

"Listen Alandria" Zayden began as he gently pushed her arms away, only to hold her palms in his hands, "We have to find out what is happening and we have to find my dad. In the mean time we cannot stay at my place and you can't go to your place either because it's the first place where they'll search for you. You'll put your family in danger. We need to get it all sorted."

"Without telling the police?" Alandria did not realize it, but tears had started to roll down her cheeks, "How are you going to fix everything if you don't say anything to the police? How are you going to find your dad? How are you going to ensure the safety of my family? How....are you....?"

And that was it. She lost it. She started sobbing. This situation was out of control and for the first time in her life, she did not know what to do with herself. There was no one to advise her or tell her what way to choose.

*Where are you mom? I need you...* Alandria said to herself as she dropped herself on the marble floor.

She felt utterly lost as she burried her face in her knees. Everything was dark now. Just like in her life. She could hear the indistinct chatter of people and a faint music coming from the boutique next to them.

She expected Zayden to be angry at her because of her behaviour. She could bear his anger. She could bear it all.

"Get up...you don't want to attract attention on us..." Zayden whispered as he knelt down to her, "....although I must admit that we are not very good at that."

Alandria looked up and saw a tiny smile on his face. He was trying to comfort her. Why?

"What...the..." she sobbed, "You aren't angry at me?"

"Angry?" Zayden repeated, "Why...uh...yeah....how how dare you Alandria! How dare you sit on this beautiful floor with your dirty clothes! How did you even dare!"

Zayden was using an exaggerated aristocratic authoritative voice and Alandria was forced to chuckle.

He then placed his hand on her shoulder and made her stand up with him.

"Listen...." he began patiently, "I know this is tough for you and that you do not deserve it. You are a very kind girl who was living a calm life with her kind family..."

At this, Alandria forced herself not to contradict him.

"Then I came into your life...and now you are trapped in this web of terror....because of me...."

"Shut up!" Alandria said out loud, "You are...not to be blamed...you did not put me here....it is Doctor Bertram who planned all of this...don't blame yourself..."

Zayden smiled and continued:

"I cannot leave you alone..."

"I won't tell the police...." Alandria told him sincerely, "About your family. But I can tell them how Doctor Bertram has....tried to....attack us..."

"And my dad?" Zayden said, "What if they harm because of that?"

"Zayden..." Alandria began, "We are getting nowhere with it. We have to inform the authorities...or we might both end up dead somewhere...and I don't think our families want that for us. I know that you care for your dad and I do too...but I also care for my little sister Emmeline...she has only me for emotional support...she will be shattered if something happens to me. I need to take care of her...and besides...this is the only way out. You know that too."

Zayden looked at her while she spoke and sighed. He looked down, deep in thought. After a few moments he looked up again and said:

"I know. You are right. Just give me two days. Then you can go inform the authorities. You are right. They will protect you and your family better."

"You'll be protected as well!" Alandria added, "You're innocent! You did not do anything to Dr. Bertram!"

Zayden did not say anything, but smiled. He then nodded and placed his hands on Alandria's shoulders.

"Now that this is settled, go and shop!"

"I don't...." Alandria whined, but Zayden pushed her inside the shop.

Author's Note: I am so so so sorry for the such a late update. I have been really busy these past few days. I will try to update more often. Thanks for your patience.