Alaina's P.O.V.

I don't know how long I've been running, but I can't do it anymore. I feel dead and I fall to my knees. I look up and around and find that I'm in a forest. I get up and look around. There are a ton of trees and everything is beautiful. I see flowers that are yellow, red, and even blue. I start to walk down the path and just let the forest take me to wherever it wants.

Taylor's P.O.V.

"Shouldn't she be back by now?" I ask Trinity and Zack. Trinity looks up at me with a scared expression. 

"Ya, the only thing that comes close to how she is reacting is when her dad died, but she was sad not angry. Now she seems to have both. After the police talked to her she went missing for about two days and when she came back she didn't grieve and she acted like nothing had happened. I asked her how she was and she always said she was fine. After four, five weeks she was back to normal, but she doesn't sleep much. I can't think of anything that would make her so mad and sad at the same time." She says and wipes the tears from her eyes. 

"I think we should tell Greg now," I say and look at Zack.

"No, if you try to get her before she's ready to come back it will be ten times worse," Trinity says quickly.

"What if we just tell him what happened and not to do anything." I say frustrated that I'm not doing anything to help.  

"Hear yourself. He's going to want to do something." Zack says. Then a knock comes at the door. All of us pop up and go to the door. I open it and we see Bryce. We all make an unpleasant noise. 

"Where kind of busy right now. What do you want?" I ask already annoyed.

"Me and Alaina agreed to fight together to see our weakness and our strengths and I was wondering where she was. Do you know?" He asks and looks around the room at all of us.

"She wouldn't want to spend an ounce of time with you." I say and shake my head at him.

"She gets to beat me up. Think about that for a moment." He says and leans against the door frame. 

"We don't know where she is," I say and then out of all the people to walk by it had to be Greg.

"Don't know where who is?" He says and looks at me. Just great, I think sarcastically. 

"Alaina." I say and once the words escape my mouth Greg looks terrified.

"What do you mean?" He asks concerned. 

"I'll tell you once he leaves. It's doesn't concern him and she probably wouldn't want him knowing anyways." I say and both Greg and I look at him.

"Fine, I'll leave." He says and walks away.

"I think that's the most mature he's been in his life," I say surprised he didn't put up a fight.

"Ya, now what about Alaina?" He asks coming in and closing the door behind him. I start telling him everything. "But you don't want to do anything?" He questions once I've finished.

"No Alaina is one person you don't mess with when she's mad or dealing with something personal. She's a closed book, she has to do it on her terms." Trinity says and has her arms on her legs leaning forward. Zack's next to her and has his arm around her comforting her.

"Yes, I know," Greg says a little frustrated.

"No, you don't know her. You just meet her like three months ago." Trinity says raising her voice. This is putting a strain on her. 

"I've known her since she was a baby," Greg says and Trinity looks as confused as Zack looks. "Her dad and I are- were best friends. He worked here and said if he ever died that he wanted me and her grandma to look after her. I've always had eyes on her and when she started hacking into places I knew I needed to bring her in so I could keep an eye on her. That's why I partnered you up with her because I knew you'd protect her not just yourself and you also didn't have a partner so I worked out." He says looking at me.

"Well, that explains a few things and why don't you look surprised Taylor?" She asks confused. 

"Greg already told me some stuff and Karen told me a lot," I say and look over at Greg. He raises his eyebrows. "I had no clue she knew so much about this place," I say and both Zack and Trinity look surprised at Greg.

"Speaking of them, we should call them." Greg says and grabs his phone.

"There on a trip there not going to answer." I say put my head in my hands. I wish she would just come back.

"So all we can do it wait for her?" Greg says and sounds disappointed.

"Ya, I don't think you could find her even if you tried. She's probably stayed away from people and cameras." Trinity says and takes a deep breath, but it's shaky.

Alaina's P.O.V.

I don't know what time it is, but the stars are out now. I lay on the ground and look up at the sky. I don't know when I started crying until I feel the tears drop on my hand. I wipe them away and keep telling myself that I need to be strong and to stop acting childish. 

After what feels like two hours I finally go to sleep, but it doesn't last long because I go from my dad's nightmare to being with Hunter again. I wake up sweaty and alarmed. It looks like the sun is rising. This moment is a perfect picture moment. The sky is all sorts of colors and light is pouring through the trees. I watch the sky until I see the sun is above me. I get up and wobble, I think I'm dehydrated and my hands are shaking which means I need food. I slowly walk on the path again and when I find my way out I know where I am, surprisingly. It's only a few miles away from the place. I start walking back ignoring the weird looks I get from people. 

When I get to the place I put the password in and head to the room I share with Taylor. Once I open the door I see four stressed looking people. I get maybe two feet in before Trinity tackles me. I hug her back lightly.

"Never do this to me again or I will lock you in my basement." She says and releases me. Greg comes up to me next. I wait to be yelled at, but he pats me on the shoulder.

"Don't keep it all in." He says in my ear and leaves the room. Does he know, he can't? Maybe he just knows that I don't plan on telling anyone anything.

Then Zack walks up to me. "You gave my girlfriend and I a fright. Please tell us where you're going if you ever decide to go on a long run again." He says and squeezes me.

"Remember she's not just your girlfriend," I say forcing a smile. He smiles back at me.

"When I come back you better be here, but I need some sleep that's not me waking up every two minutes," Trinity says and points a finger at me.

"I will. Promise." I say and she links her pinky with mine and then we booty bump. It's a promise that if we ever break it there will be hell to pay. She kisses my forehead and walks out of the room. Zack follows her out and shuts the door. Taylor walks up to me and hugs me. He puts his head on my shoulder. 

"Please don't scare the crap out of me like that again." He says still holding me. I think he is the one and the only person that I like to comfort me.

"I'll try not to," I say and he pulls away from me. He stares at me for awhile and then I feel my cheeks get warm. I probably look like crap, but he still stares at me like I'm beautiful. "I'm going to hop in the shower ok," I say and he nods his head. I grab my sweatpants, sports bra, and my sweatshirt. I take a long hot shower and don't even brush my hair when I get out. I walk out of my bathroom and see Taylor is sitting on my bed with his head in his hands. I think he fell asleep. I take another step forward.

"I'm awake." He says which makes me jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." 

"It's fine. I'm going to get something to eat and water. I'll be right back." I say and turn to the door.

"I'll come with. I need to get water anyway." He says and follows me out the door. When we get to the kitchen I grab two cans of fruit, banana, chips, cheese balls, and three water bottles. Taylor grabs the cans, banana, and all four water bottles while I hold the chips and cheese balls. When we get to our room. I go to my bed and grab my laptop. Taylor comes and sits next to me.

"Have you seen the movie The Day After Tomorrow?" I ask and he nods his head. "Would you want to watch it with me again?" I ask and pull up all my movies. I have a lot because my dad has a ton and I have jis drive that he back everything up to.

"Ya." He says and grabs my pillow to put behind us. I get the movie up and put my laptop between us. We start eating the cheese balls and watch.

Taylor P.O.V.

She puts the movie on and sets it between us. I want to ask her so many questions, but I'm afraid she will push me away if I do. I'll wait tomorrow before I ask anything.

After two more movies and finishing everything she sits up.

"Can we go training?" She asks. 

"Aren't you tired?" I ask, remembering Trinity saying that she didn't sleep for a while when her Dad died.

"Nah, I'm good." She says and stands up.

"K, but take it easy," I say and stand up after her.

"I will." She says and walks over to the door.

"Hey, I mean it. Don't over push yourself." I say and grab her shoulders. 

"I know, I'll be fine." She says and opens the door and walks out. I close the door and walk behind her. Greg is coming up the stairs.

"Hey, Alaina." He says and smiles at her.

"Hey." She says and smiles at him. She is really good at acting like nothing is wrong.

"How's it goin?" He asks her.

"Good. You?" She says and leans against the wall to talk to him.

"Good, Hey here is a new phone. They told me you kinda broke your other one." He says and hands her what looks like her old phone.

"Thanks. Um I'm going to go train." She says and waves to him.

"K talk later." He says and walks closer to me. "How is she really?" He asks in a hushed voice.

"She seems to be fine, but I know she's just hiding it. I'll try to talk to her more tomorrow, but today I'm just gonna let things flow." I say and he nods his head. I walk down the stairs and see Alaina at a punching bag. She looks really focused and she's not wearing punching gloves. She still has her sweatshirt on, which is going to make her a lot warmer, but I don't say anything. I start doing a light workout making sure to keep an eye on her, just in case. Then I look over at the stairs and see Zack come down. Trinity must still be sleeping.

"Hey." He says and starts to push-ups next to me.

"Hey." I say back and start doing sit-ups.

"Did she say anything?" He says still doing push-ups.

"Nope. She's acting like everything is fine, just like what Trinity said." I say and look over at her.

"How long has she been at the punching bag?" He says and sits up. I look at my phone.

"Almost an hour," I say and set my phone back down.

"She's wearing a sweatshirt while working out?" He asks and grabs the weights with me.

"Ya, I have no clue why though," I say and we start talking about random things instead of Alaina.

Alaina's P.O.V.

My knuckles are starting to hurt because I'm not wearing gloves, but the pain helps. The more I think about what that person said the more mad I get. I see Zack leave the workout room, but I stay focused on punching.

"Alaina. I think you should take a break." Taylor says and walks over to me.

"I can handle myself. I don't need to be told what to do." I say, but once it leaves my mouth I regret it. "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that," I say and look at Taylor, resting my hands on the punching bag.

"It's fine, lets get some water." He says and starts walking to the kitchen. I follow him and when we get in the kitchen I see Bryce. I really really don't want to deal with his crap.

"Hey, you're back. Have you got enough attention yet?" He asks with an annoying smile.

"Shut up," I say and grab a water bottle. Taylor glares at him.

"Can't, I have a mouth and I can use it when I want." He says and hops off the chair.

"I strongly suggest you stay a from me," I say as he walk towards me. Taylor steps closer to me. I look at him and shake my head, he wants to start something I will knock him out faster than he thinks possible.

"Or what. You're the who bailed on our little training." He says and stands right in front of me.

"We can do it a different time," I say and go to turn away, but he grabs my arm. "Let go of me now." I say calmly. Taylor goes to step in, but I raise my hand at him to stop. He doesn't move, but if Bryce does anything I think Taylor is going to kill him.

"I'll do what I please. Oh and if you plan on running away to get attention again don't because it's just annoying." He says and tightens his grip on me. I swing my arm and kick him on his leg.

"You have no clue what really happened so stay out of it," I say and see Taylor ready to jump on Bryce. Bryce grabs his leg and slowly stands up. I don't even listen to what he says, I just walk out the door. I hear Taylor say something rude to Bryce and then he jogs up to me.

"Question. Why would you agree to fight with him?" Taylor asks coming up to me.

"One so I can beat him up and two so I can learn a few weaknesses I have," I say and walk into our room. 

"Oh, I see, but you can learn weaknesses with a ton of people here." He says following me in.

"Ya I know, but then I can't beat him up. Hey, I'm going to take another shower." I say and he nods his head. I walk into my bathroom and hop in the shower. I take a cold quick shower. I just wash my body and leave my hair up so it doesn't get wet. Once I get my sweatpants and sports bra on I realize that I didn't grab another sweatshirt. I'm not going to wear the same one because it's all sweaty and gross. I walk out of my bathroom and grab another sweatshirt. This one is kind of tight, but it's comfortable. I hear Taylor turn the water off in his bathroom. He must have taken a quick shower too. 

I look at my new phone and grab it. It's almost identical to my other so the charger will work for this one too. I plug my phone charger into my laptop so I can transfer my music to it. The little screen pops up saying how long it will take. It says for about an hour. Ugh. I grab my phone and laptop and put it under the bed. I look at the clock and see it says 6:42, that's why I'm so hungry. I get up and walk down to the kitchen. I make myself two sandwiches and start walking back upstairs. When I get up the stairs Sky comes and starts talking to me.

"Hey girl. Hungry much?" She asks and looks at my plate. 

"Ya, a little." I say and blush a little. So I think the only people who know about me disappearing is Taylor, Trinity, Zack, Greg, and stupid Bryce that thinks I did it for attention. Jerk. I see past Sky and see that Taylor walks out our door and looks nervous. When he sees Sky and I he looks like he relaxes. 

"So I know you can hack and I was thinking we could teach each other some things. What do ya think?" Sky asks and sounds excited.

"Sure, but I have a lot of this going on so it might be a while before I can meet up with you." 

"That's fine I understand. Bye, sweetie." She says and runs to a group of people.

"Sweetie?" Taylor asks and smiles.

"Apparently," I say and look back at her. She's cool, but weird at the same time. We start walking back to our room and when I walk in the room Trinity is there. "Hey," I say and sit next to her.

"Little hungry?" She asks looking at my plate.

"Ya, didn't eat dinner," I say and take a bite of one of my sandwiches.  

"K you're going to come with tomorrow. I need to go shopping and I need your opinion." She says and smiles at me.

"Fine." I say and she laughs.

"You know normal girls like to go shopping with there BFF's." She says stands up.

"I'm not normal, I'm extravagant," I say to her and she rolls her eyes at me.

"See ya tomorrow, love ya." She says walking out the door.

"Love ya." I say and then she shuts the door. Tomorrow is going to be interesting.

"Have fun shopping," Taylor says and his phone buzzes. He looks at it and looks disappointed. He types something back and puts his phone back down.

"What's up?" I ask taking another bite of my sandwich. 

"Nothing, just my aunt found out how to text and won't stop texting me." He says and laughs. I smile, but I don't think that's the real reason. I don't push it though. "What is in that sandwich?" He asks and looks down at it.

"Hey don't judge it," I say looking at his disgusted face. "It has meyo, bologna, lettuce, mustard, tomatoes, pickels, ham, and cheese." I say finishing my first sandwich.

"Sounds delicious." He says sarcastically.

"Try it then," I say and put my towards him.

"I'll pass." He says and moves.

"Stop being a baby and grow a pair." I say getting up and handing him my plate. He looks down at it and back at me. "Come on it's not bad, I promise," I say trying to convince him to try it. He grabs the sandwich.

"If I die put me in a suit please." He says smiling at me. I lightly hit him in the arm.

"You're not." I say and he takes a bite. He puts the sandwich back down and looks surprised. 

"That's really good." He says.

"Told you." I say grabbing it and taking a bite. Then my laptop beeps. I walk over to it confused. Music fully uploaded. It says. Sweet. I unplug my phone and turn it on. I'm going to need to get all my crap back. "Hey in my backpack I have a what looks like a really big flash drive can you grab it for me?" I ask Taylor and put my laptop on my bed. He hands me my backup drive. I plug it into my phone. "There, all my stuff should be put back on there in a few hours." I say finishing my other sandwich.

"You can just plug it in and it does the rest?" Taylor asks confused.

"Ya, it's nice to have when you swipe your phone or your phone breaks." I say and put the plate on the desk. 

"Sounds cool." He says and sits on my bed. 

"Hey, do you have a regular pencil, not a lead pencil?" I ask grabbing my pink eraser and a piece of paper.

"Ya, why?" He asks grabbing a pencil and handing it to me. 

"I just want to draw," I say and try think of what to draw. "Can I use your phone?" I ask and he nods his head. I look up horses and find a picture that I want to draw instantly. I start drawing it and before I know it Taylor is asleep against the desk. I smile and grab a pillow and slowly lower him on to it. Once he's all settled I finish my drawing. Buzz. I look back up at Taylor's phone. "Hey anything new?"  I read. I'll tell him later about it. I put my drawing in my drawer and look at Taylor. There is no way I can lift him on the bed. I grab a blanket from his bed and put it over him. That should be good. I turn the light off and lay in my bed just thinking. I stare at the bed above me really tired, but scared to go to sleep. I look over at the clock and read 11:24. I need some sleep, I'll just sleep for an hour and then wake up, I think to myself. I close my eyes and I instantly go to sleep.

Taylor's P.O.V.

I hear Alaina breathing heavily and saying no over and over again. I pop up and realize I'm on the ground. I run over to her.

"Alaina, it's a dream. It's not real." I say trying to get her to wake up. She says no again and sounds scared. "Alaina it me, Taylor. Look at me." I say and grab her wrists. Her eyes pop open and she looks scared until she sees me. 

She looks over at the clock. "Barely 20 minutes." She says and tries to slow her breathing down.

"What do you mean?" I ask and let her hands go.

"I was only asleep for 20 minutes." She says looking at me. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you up." She says and sits up. She has to slouch a little so she doesn't hit her head.

"It's fine, the ground isn't that comfortable anyway," I say and she gives me a small smile. "You want to tell me what it was about?" I ask hoping she says yes.

"No, no not really." She says and shakes her head.

"That's fine." I say and wipe off a tear that was on her face. "You all good?" I ask still kneeling at her bed.

"Ya, thanks. Get some sleep." She says. I get up, grab my pillow and blanket and go on my bed. It takes me a little while to get to sleep, but when I do I'm grateful for it. I wake up suddenly, I don't know why but I do. I look over at the clock 12:34. I look under my bed and I don't see Alaina. I get off my bed and look again. She's not there. I run out of the room and look for her. I see she's at a brick wall and punching it. I can see her hands are bleeding this far away. I run down to her and grab her.

"No, it's not fair." She says and tries to push me away. 

"Shh, hey stop," I say trying to get her to calm down. She punches me on the chest a few times and tries pushing me one more time, but gives up. 

"I-It's not f-fair." She says stuttering and crying. She leans into me for support. 

"Let's go to the room and talk, ok." I say trying not to sound pushy or make her run off. She nods her head and stops leaning on me. She wipes her tears away and starts walking. I grab her hand as we walk up the stairs. It has a ton of cuts and there is blood all over her hand. I pull her into my bathroom and put her on the counter. She looks down the whole time. After I clean and wrap her hands she gets off the counter and sits on the floor. I sit next to her and look at her. She still looks down.

"Alaina look at me." I say and she moves her head up, but doesn't look at me. "Alaina. Talk to me, please." I say trying to get her to look at me. 

"My grandparents died." She says looking me straight in the eyes.

"They..died, but how?" I ask not understanding. We just saw them.

"Car accident, but then someone called me and said if I keep looking for my dad's killer he was going to start killing the rest of my family, it wasn't a car accident, it was a murder." She says and I can see she's trying to told her tears back. 

"Why didn't you say anything?" I ask and she looks away from me.

"Because I couldn't cope with it and I still can't." She says and tears run out. She tries to stop them, but I grab her and pull her on my legs. She wraps her legs around me and puts her arms around my neck. We just sit here and I run my hands through her messy hair and down her back trying to calm her down.  I don't know how long we sit there, but she falls asleep. I pick her up and set her in her bed. I turn the light off and go to get on my bed when I hear Alaina.

"Can you stay with me?" She says and sounds so vulnerable. 

"Sure." I say and lay next to her. She lays her head on my arm and we go to sleep. 

Be happy. I didn't end the chapter on a cliff hanger.