I kept trying to explain, but they just wouldn't listen.

"Come on guys, let's bounce," Scout yelled, as the others followed her.

I couldn't let them leave "Noah, please wait. Hear me out, I di-"

"Cole," he sighed, running his hands through his hair and looking around.

"Noah, come on!" I could hear Scout's angry voice echo.

He gave me a look of dismay before he jogged over to catch up with the rest of them, "Sorry,"

I went to catch up with him, to clear my name, but quickly stopped as I could hear police sirens heading in the direction of the diner.

"Crap," my heart jumped into my throat as my brain registered the meaning of the jarring racket. The siren wailed like a baby in distress, the kind of noise that makes you sick. I knew I'd be trapped in any minute now.

Someone must've reported my location to the police.

I began to panic as I watched my friends disappearing into the distance, not knowing whether to them and explain myself properly, or ditch the feds rushing towards me.

I chose the latter, knowing I couldn't risk getting them in trouble.

They didn't need to get caught up in this.

It was my fight, not theirs.

I breathed out deeply, pausing for a split second before taking off and running in the opposite direction before they could reach the diner.

They would have never known I was there.

***

I had been running for ages.

It seemed like I had gotten far away, as they hadn't come close to me since.

I stopped, panting for air.

Sitting down on the grass, legs outstretched, I began to reflect on everything that happened today.

I lost the best things that had ever happened to me.

My friendship with the guys.

My almost-relationship with Scout.

All because of my lies.

The worst part was, I think I actually could've trusted them.

I threw a rock into the distance out of anger.

I was going to miss the little campsite we had made, it was so homely, how we all shared things and worked together, but also had our own spaces too.

And then I remembered, I had none of my things.

I slapped myself as I tried to figure out what to do.

Was it safe to go back? Probably not.

Did I have any other choice? Not really.

I pressed my eyes together as I trudged back the way I came, hoping the officers had left, and I could go back to the base.

Maybe I could explain myself to the others too, while I was at it, they deserved to know the truth, the whole truth.

***

It wasn't easy, but I managed to make my way back to the forest before sundown.

I, knowing the area pretty well, managed to navigate my way back to the forest, without being spotted.

To my surprise, there were actually no policemen outside the diner.

They must've thought it was a false alarm.

I sighed in relief as I pushed the branches to our enclosure aside to reveal...

...absolutely no one.

I scratched my head in confusion.

Where did they all go?

The area was completely empty, aside from my belongings.

Tents, clothes, stoves – all gone.

I was too late.

They probably left trying to escape me.

I sat down on a log next to my stuff, dejected.

That was it.

I was never going to see them again.

The most real friends I had ever made, gone.

And it was all my fault.

Not to mention, the coolest girl I had ever met hated my guts.

I kept replaying the moment her face darkened when she found out I had lied to her.

If I could turn back time, I would've made sure I trusted them with my secret. I wouldn't have dared to hurt her like that, especially after what she had been through with Trent.

I sighed, getting up to gather my belongings and leave before someone else found me.

Packing up my things, I noticed Eli's stuffed bear at the top of my bag.

I laughed. He wouldn't go to sleep without it.

My face softened as I realised they had left it behind, and I had no idea how to return it to them.

He wasn't going to be happy about this. That toy meant a lot to him.

And well Noah...I wished him good luck.

I sat the bear on the top of my bag again, as I kneeled down to pack up the rest of the tent when I heard a voice.

"Cole?"

I turned around in a flash, "Noah?!"

"Eli forgot his stuffed bear, so," he shifted awkwardly as he pointed at my bag.

"Oh yeah, of course," I replied, disappointed, "Here,"

I threw him the toy, before continuing to disassemble my tent.

I thought he left, but to my surprise, he kneeled down to help me.

I smiled at him, and we worked silently to organise everything.

"Cole, can I ask you something," Noah spoke up, handing me a peg.

"Sure," I replied, taking the peg from him and putting it in a pouch.

He looked straight at me, "Why'd you kill him?"

My eyebrows shot off my face, but then I remembered that I completely forgot to tell him, "Noah! I didn't do it," I explained.

"You didn't?" he replied, tossing me another peg, "Then why are they trying to arrest you?"

"Because," I began, "My fingerprints were all over the gun," I sighed, tired of everything.

I could feel his eyes on me, trying to comprehend the situation, "I'm sorry, Cole,"

"It's not your fault," I waved him off. This was my life now.

We had finished packing everything, and Noah helped me up as I got all of my things together.

"Where are you heading?" I asked him.

"We regrouped in a different forest, so I'm going to head back there before it gets too dark," Noah replied as he handed me my bag, "You?"

"I don't know yet, but trust me, I'll be well out of your way," I gave him an apologetic look, before turning to leave

"Cole, wait!"

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Sup guys, hope you're all doing well and enjoying your weekend, make sure to give me a vote and a comment to let me know if you enjoyed this chapter x

Cole's away from the police for now, but he's lost all of his friends, and Scout...

...that was until Noah came in clutch!

What do you think will happen next?

Next update: 20/9/20 (yes i am aware that is today's date hehe)

Teaser: what's noah got up his sleeve??