Lawless

Chapter Seventeen

I lie awake for the rest of the night, scared Sage and Gunner are going to walk out the door and leave me by myself.

They never did though; both spend the remainder of the night around the fire discussing their next move.

The sun begins to rise through the window, shinning onto the floor and the far wall. I sit up, making my way over to the bag I had left on the chair, pulling yesterdays jeans out. I need to find some new clothes today otherwise I'll have nothing to wear tomorrow.

I bounce on my feet to get the jeans over my butt then put the bag over my shoulder, taking a deep breath and confidently pushing the bedroom door open. Sage and Gunner stop their conversation but continue smoking as they take me in.

"Where are you going?" Sage questions darkly. Gunner has a smirk on his face as his eyes move back and forth between Sage and I.

"Bathroom" I grumble quietly, the confidence disappearing. Sage nods and watches me until I'm no longer in sight as I enter the bathroom.

Once I had freshened up, I make my way into the kitchen, putting my bag back in the bedroom. The tap drips nonstop and the cupboards are plain brown. I can still see Sage and Gunner as they continue to talk.

I manage to find a bottle of water and a protein bar, hoping Sage won't mind.

I make my way to one of the spare chairs by the fire, across from Gunner and Sage. As I sit down they stand up. I sit stunned with half the protein bar in my mouth.

"Alright, I'll see you there" Gunner says while giving Sage a pat on the back. Sage nods back, puffing on a cigarette once again.

"Cya Birdy" It took me a second to realise Gunner is talking to me. I give a small smile and a wave back. The front door slams behind him.

Sage goes into the bedroom. I hear him rustling around before coming out with my bag, setting it next to the door. My heart sinks in my chest as the thought that he had changed his mind and is taking me back to Class flashes through my head. Everyone in Class would know I'm gone by now.

Sage walks back into the bedroom, leaving the door slightly open. He reaches back and pulls his shirt over his head. Tattooed, muscle ripples under the movements. My heartbeat is felt everywhere and my palms begin to sweat.

Sage looks out the crack in the doorway in that moment and makes eye contact with me. I look away quickly, crossing my legs tightly. I hear further rustling and the creak of the door opening.

"C'mon" Sage calls, grabbing my bag, his hands somehow making the bag look miniscule.

I spin back to look at him, he's now wearing a new shirt. "You're taking me back?" I stutter. I feel my eyes slightly well up. Sage watches me for a second before shaking his head no.

The relief is instant and I am so completely grateful, and I know he knew that by the look on my face.

Sage nods his head toward the door before beginning to walk towards it. I get up and follow slightly behind.

Without locking the front door we descend the wonky stairs. It's early morning and the suns up showcasing the dew sticking to the grass. Nobody's around except for the stray dogs, rummaging through the rubbish that scatters the street.

Sage sets off down the street, in the opposite direction of the main road. The desolate houses begin to disappear the further we go.

We walk in silence for another fifteen minutes when through the opening in the trees a large house appears. It's at least two stories high and a dark blue in colour, almost navy. The damage on the house is visible although not as bad as the damage on the houses closer to town.