I stood in front of Ash’s door, hesitating a bit before I opened his door.  Our parent’s still aren’t awake, and I was avoiding them all together.  Sleep was the last thing on my mind.  I found myself pacing my room after I got out of the shower.  I pushed the door open slowly, trying not to wake him up.  I closed the door and tried to find my way in the dark.  I managed to make it to the bed without tripping over a pile of dirty clothes. 

                The king sized bed sat snug in the middle of the room, against the wall.  His room was only slightly bigger than mine and that’s only because he’s older.  “What are you doing?” He croaked, not making the gesture to sit up or even move.

I ran my fingers over the top of his bed, “I can’t be alone right now.” I said softly.

                “I’m sorry.” He mumbled and he moved.  “I would rather you be in here—”

                “They’ll find him.” I interjected.  “I know they will.”  I just needed time to consider things.  Consider how I’m an idiot if I actually try and track them down.  Trying to figure out where he could have taken Noah in the first place.  There’s no way they’ll be at the condo or the place they found Alex, so that’s completely ruled out.

I could use myself as bait.

                But Ash is going to have 24/7 surveillance on me after our parent’s find out. 

                I pushed myself to the top of his bed and leaned back against the headboard.  “I didn’t want any of this to happen.” I choked. 

I heard Ash let out a long breath through his nose.  “Don’t blame yourself, Willow.” His voice was soft, almost calming. 

I fumbled with my fingers and tried not to cry.  “It’s my fault.  I should’ve gotten him out of there.  I shouldn’t have left him—”

                “Willow,” Ash noted sternly “You had no idea this was going to happen.  Don’t blame yourself.  If I know Noah as well as I think I do, he’ll be just fine.”

How much did Ash really know?  “You didn’t see him the way I did.” I took in a shaky breath, the tears already threatening to spill over.   “He was basically saying goodbye.”

                “He’s not going anywhere, Willow.” He whispered.

But he couldn’t promise that.  “I should’ve listened to you.  About Scott.”

I felt the warmth of his palm against my arm, “All that matters right now is that you’re safe.”

                “But Noah isn’t.” I whispered.  It was more for me, but Ash heard me and let out another sigh.  I mumbled an apology.

                “You need to get some sleep.” He said.  “Especially before mom and dad wake up.”

I nodded in agreement, “We don’t have to tell them—”

                “Willow.” Ash warned.  “You’re lucky I’m eighteen or else mom and dad would have had to pick you up.”

I shifted a little, feeling my eyes get a little droopy. “Can I stay in here?”

                “Of course.” He replied without hesitation.  “I just cleaned the couch off, you can sleep there or I can.”

I already stood up before he finished.  “Thank you.” I said as I made my way through the dark room, feeling around for the plush surface of the couch on the other side of the room.  I pulled the blanket from the back and laid it across my shivering body.  I wasn’t cold, but I still couldn’t get my body to relax.

                Ten minutes later and I hear Ash’s soft snores.  I stared up at the ceiling, wondering what Noah was doing right now.  Or if he was still breathing.

But I’m not going to think like that. 

Ash’s words stuck with me. “If I know Noah as well as I think I do, he’ll be just fine.”  And I let sleep fall over me like a warm blanket.

                I woke up to my mother’s scream piercing my ears and pulling me out of a deep sleep.  I look to Ash’s bed and find him not in it.  I stood up from the couch in Ash’s room and timidly walked towards the closed bedroom door.  By that time I heard running footsteps barreling down the hallway.  I stepped out of the room only to be faced with my livid, yet scared mother.  Her cheeks were stained with tears.

                She gripped my face in her hands, running her thumbs under my eyes.  “I don’t even know what to say.” She breathed.

                “I’m fine, Mom.” I took a step back so her hands would fall.  “I’m in one piece.”

She looked at me like I just slapped her across the face.  “You’re fine?  You were held against your will and you say you’re fine?”  I looked up behind her, seeing Ash and my dad standing there.  My dad managed to remain still while my mom did all the work.  “You could’ve been taken from me last night.”

The crack in her voice made my eyes water.  “I’m not going anywhere.”

She threw her arms around me and cried.  “I’m not letting you out of my sight.  We’ll get your homework from school, you hear me?”

She stepped away and I gave her a nod.  “And you’re not leaving this house until this is over.”

Until this is over.  Will it ever be over?

                After what felt like forever, my parent’s left to go pick up dinner.  I tried to stay out of my room because Noah just flashes through my mind every time.  Ash and I got through six episodes of Dexter, going on the seventh.  “I don’t need a baby sitter, Ash.”

                “You know I’m not allowed to leave.  Plus, I don’t want to.”

I snorted and brought my knees up to my chest, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

                “I am where I’m supposed to be.”

                “Well, I called Ashley and she’ll be here soon.  You don’t have to stay.  Believe me, she’s not going to let me leave.”

He shifted a little and cleared his throat. “She’s coming here now?”

I nodded slowly, “Why did you ask like that?  Like you’re actually excited?”

He cleared his throat again, “No reason.”

                “I’m not dumb Ash.” I muttered, turning my attention back to the TV.

He laughed nervously, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I let out a sigh and paused the show, “She did show up with you last night, wearing your clothes.  Put two and two together, and you get—”

                “Okay, maybe something did happen.”

                “What about Rai?”

He shrugged his shoulders, “We haven’t talked about it.”

                “Don’t hurt her, please.”

                “I won’t.”

I think he meant it, but I knew Ash.

                After dinner I trudged up to my room.  I needed sleep but I didn’t want to sleep.  I paced my room, every few minutes tightening my fingers around my hair.  Ashley and Ash are talking, so to speak.  Since now I know how they feel about each other, I’m not sure how much talking they’re actually doing.  I needed Ashley and Ash to help keep my mind off of Noah.  It just makes me want to leave and find him myself.  But there’s no way I was stepping out of that front door.  Welcome to prison.

                I know it’s for the best, but they can’t keep me locked inside this house.  I had to get out.  And without a babysitter.  I don’t know how much more of this I could take.

                The sound of a skype call coming from my computer made me jump.  I don’t know if my heart was beating fast because it scared me, or the fact that only two people I know have my skype.  One of them being Ashley and one of them being Noah.

                I leveled down, seeing Noah’s smiling picture on my screen.  A small gasp escaped my lips.  Without thinking, I clicked the green accept button.  I was prepared for what I saw on the other side of the screen.  It was Noah, but he looked almost fine.  His eye was black and his lip was busted.  His hair was pushed back under a black beanie.  I saw the blue of his eyes, but they weren’t as bright as they usually are.  “Noah.” I breathed.

                “Don’t come looking for me.”

My heart was breaking all over again.  “What—”

                “I decided to leave California.  I’m eighteen and I’m allowed to leave if I chose.  There’s nothing here for me.”

                “Noah, you can’t—”

                “You’re nothing to me anymore.” He spat.  “I’m fine.”

I was already crying, “You don’t mean it.”

His eyes were hard and cold.  And in that moment I was believing everything that spilled from his lips. “I already told my parent’s.  I thought it would be the decent thing to tell you so you don’t come looking for me.  I don’t need to making a mess of things.”

                “Stop it.”

                “Goodbye, Willow.”

The last flash of his eyes were burned in my brain.  They weren’t cold.  He looked at me the way he always did.  Did he mean what he said?

I don’t believe it for a second.

                “What about—” He hung up before I could ask about Scott.  There’s no way Scott would have just let him go. 

Before my mind could process all the events, I started heaving.  I clutched onto my chest as I tried to find my breath.  I fell back on my bed, basically clawing at my chest to relieve the breath I couldn’t find.  My hands were shaking and the tears were uncontrollable.

                I didn’t noticed Ash and Ashley coming into my room until I felt Ash’s hands on my shoulders.  He gripped my face hard between his hands, searching my eyes that couldn’t even focus on anything.  I heard my name tumble from Ashley’s lips a few times.  Ash was yelling, Ashley was crying and that’s all I could process.   “What’s wrong with her?” Ashley asked.

                “She’s in shock I think, I don’t know!” Ash panicked. I felt the tips of his fingers tap against my cheek and I felt like I could finally focus.  I took in a short breath and Ash sighed.  “What the hell was that?” He dropped his hands and fell back on his butt.

Ashley came up and sat beside me.  I still struggled to breathe and the pain in my chest only tightened.  “He’s gone.” I muttered.

                “What do you mean he’s gone, Willow?” Ash pushed with urgency. 

                “He just…left.  Said there wasn’t anything in California for him anymore.”

Ash looked at me, partly confused and partly worried.  “Scott just let him leave…” He trailed off.

I nodded slowly, “I don’t actually know.  I just know he doesn’t need our help anymore.  It’s over.”

                “There’s no way in hell Scott would just let him leave.  There’s something going on.”

Obviously.  “I’m done.” I said firmly. “I’m not going to look for someone who doesn’t even want to be found.”  He was quietly pleading for help before he cut me off.  I know it.  I know he needs help.  But I’m not dragging anyone I love into it.  “I just want to be left alone.”

Ash only looked at me like I was crazy, and Ashley left without asking any questions.  “Please.”

Ash stood up and trailed behind Ashley.  I got up shortly after they left and closed my door, engaging the lock.  I walked to my closet and pulled out a large sweatshirt.  I slipped it on and placed the hood over my head.  I put my shoes on and made my way to the window Ash has climbed out of plenty of times.  I pushed it opened, looking at the surroundings.  The tree was about a foot away, I could reach it was ease.

                I straddled the window pane and wrapped one hand around the large branch of the tree.  I pulled my other leg over the ledge and pushed the rest of the way out.  I made my way into the tree and climbed down as quickly as possible without making any noise or falling.  But my heart was still hammering too hard against my chest.

                I walked to my mom’s car and got inside.  I pulled the spare key from the glove compartment, which is odd to keep a spare key inside of the car.  But right now I wasn’t complaining.  There was no way they won’t hear the car start up but I’ll already be gone by the time they make it outside.  They’ll obviously know where to find me, just hopefully it won’t come down to that.  I also knew I would be facing major consequences when I returned.  If I return.

                I pulled out of the driveway quickly and headed in the direction of Noah’s house.

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I know y'all are hating me right now but there's a reason this is happening since THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL!!! There will be ONE more chapter and possibly an epilogue.  If there is an epi, it'll be pretty short.

After this ends, the sequel will be up two weeks after.  Maybe sooner, depending on how quick I can get the first two chapters written.

The support for this story has been amazing, even if I did lose the motivation to update for awhile.  You guys are amazing!!! :)