The windows of the car flicker orange. It’s been less than five minutes and the fire is already burning strong behind us. I drag my feet, not wanting to look back at the house. I can’t bring myself to do it.
“We’ve got to make it across provincial lines by dawn.” Derrick flings his duffle bag in the back seat.
As soon as the door snaps shut, I hear it.
Sirens in the distance start filling the air.
Hope.
It’s coming.
Fuck, the fire might’ve been a saving grace.
I see Derrick’s eyes widen as he takes in the sound. “Shit!” He barks out. His eyes dash from left to right frantically as he searches for his next move. “Okay, get in the car. Quick!” He shouts, waving his gun around.
I start to move forward but my eyes catch on the red and white lights getting closer in the distance.
“They’re fast.” I smirk.
“Shit, fuck!” Derrick shouts. “Okay, come on.” He grabs my wrist, twisting me back towards the house.
I avoid looking at the burning wood and follow behind him.
They’re coming. They’re coming. I keep repeating to myself.
Elijah’s on his way.
I let the warmth of that thought spread through me since I’m freezing cold as is. I have no coat or anything so the winter chill is biting at my skin under my clothes. I don’t care. Soon, Elijah will be here.
Derrick drags me to the backyard, pacing as he looks out onto the frozen lake.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to cross the ice. We can bunker down there until morning, and then come back for the car once the police leave.”
My eyebrows pinch as I look out onto the white sheet of ice. “You want to cross that? It’s only been below zero fora week. The lake can’t be ready yet.”
I know for a fact that this lake turns solid pretty quickly in the winter, but still. It’s only November. It has barely started snowing. Elijah and I don’t start skating out here until well into January.
He taps on the ice with his foot, feeling around for the strength. With confidence, he steps on, and motions for me to follow him.
“I don’t have all goddamn day. You move or you stay. Make your choice.” He raises the gun to my stomach.
I feel like I could call his bluff but as I look at his angry, frantic eyes darting around behind me, I see that it may not be a card I should play. He really does look out of sorts right now.
I cautiously step onto the ice and follow him as we take a few steps.
I look back behind me and see emergency lights at the house.
Thank God.
If anything they’re putting out the fire which gives me some peace.
“Tobias, if you don’t move faster, I’ll make the choice for you.” Derrick pulls me, making me stumble over my feet.
I feel the ice strain under me, bringing me to an immediate halt. My heart slams into my chest. “Woah.” I inhale sharply, trying to steady myself. “This ice isn’t hard yet.”
“You think I give a shit?! Move yourfuckingass!” He pulls me again, making me stumble a few more steps.
“Fuck!” I yell out. “Don’t you see that it’s over!? It’s done. They’re here and you’ve been caught.” I wave my hands in the air.
