By the time we’ve been on the Ferris wheel and the dodgems, I’ve relaxed a little.For a moment, it feels like this could be what life is supposed to be—slightly normal.Going on a date with a guy and enjoying myself.Cole is nice and good company.He’s the kind of guy I can imagine sitting on the sofa with and watching a movie.Not the kind of guy who would pull my hair and tell me how naughty I’ve been, but beggars can’t be choosers.
And the Beast and Bastian seem okay with how things are going.Well, Bastian does.The Beast is his usual sulky self.
But this all changes when we reach the line for the ghost train.
“No way.”The Beast steps forwards, placing his arm in front of me.
“I beg your pardon?”I snap.
“There’s no way you’re going on that.”
“Who made you fucking God?”I push his arm aside and move down the queue.
Cole looks from me to the Beast.“Hey, we can give this one a miss.It doesn’t matter,” he says.
“Itdoesmatter.I want to go on it.”I stand my ground.The ghost train is the backbone of my plan.
“I can’t see you in there.It’s pitch-black.It’s not safe.Anything could happen,” the Beast explains.
“Do you think I’m going to get attacked on a fucking ride?Do you think someone is going to go to the trouble of following me on and then sticking a knife in me when it gets dark?”
The Beast doesn’t answer.
“Or do you think Cole here is going to murder me?”
“Hey, I’m just here to have a good time.”Cole holds both hands up and glances nervously at the Beast.
I look to Bastian, hoping he’ll back me.Of course he’ll back me.He wouldn’t dare argue with me in case I complained to my father.
But Bastian says that maybe the Beast is right, and that’s when my plan starts to unravel—the plan I’ve spent all weekend conjuring disappearing before my eyes, all because the fucking Hellhound says so.
The ghost train would have been the perfect opportunity for some action with Cole.I’d timed the ride.Seven minutes.There’s so much you could do in seven minutes.And with no bodyguards watching over me, it would have been perfect.
Wouldhave been.This was my only chance, and now it’s gone.
And my head explodes.
“I’m sick of this,” I spit, ducking out of the line.The last few months have finally caught up with me—the stress, the anxiety, the impending doom.
“Hayami!”Bastian calls, but I ignore him and keep on walking until I’m at the entrance of the fair.
I’m so sick of this life.So sick of the restrictions, of having everything decided for me.Of having some fucking prick in a suit tell me what I can and can’t do.Is this how it’s going to be for the rest of my life?
I already know the answer.
When I see the entrance to the woods ahead of me, I start running.
My calves burn and my ankles feel weak, but I keep going.Running through the trees, dodging the fallen branches, getting deeper and deeper until I have no idea where I am or where I’m going.
There’s no fear of getting lost, because this is what I want.I want to disappear where no one will ever find me.
A new plan forms.Running.Run until I can’t see what’s behind me.
So, I do just that.
But he’s behind me.Not Bastian.He’s too old to run.But the Beast isn’t.I can hear him.Every branch that breaks.Every scrunch of the leaves.Each sound only makes me run faster.
Hewill notcatch me.
