Escape {COMPLETE}

~Chapter Five~

Hannah's P.O.V.

I felt the hysteria creeping its way back into my heart, wrenching it with despair and hopelessness. I couldn't believe that it followed us! What if that thing will follow us wherever we go, no matter what?! I was making myself more and more frightened, thinking this, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. Maybe he'd never leave us alone. Maybe he'd, somehow, get ahold of us, and torture us...

If he doesn't kill us first...

I shivered and a sob choked its way from my throat.

Patrick's P.O.V.

She was crying again. I held her tight in my arms, trying to make her feel better. I knew she was beyond words comforting her, so I figured hugging was all I could do. Even so, I softly murmured, "It's gonna be ok..." in her ear.

It was sort of hard for me to believe myself.

I shivered and a cold chill suddenly attacked me. I didn't want her to be upset, but I couldn't seem to make her feel better. Everyone else was freaking out as well, talking rapidly, but I couldn't hear them. I wasn't listening to them. All my attention was focused on Hannah. Right now, she needed me, and I was gonna be there for her.

I tried to move closer to her, shuffling over the cold van's floor and holding her. She finally subsided in her sobs, looking up at me and sniffing. "Are we ever gonna get out of here?" Her trembling voice revealed how frightened she was. If only I could make her feel better...

Hannah's P.O.V.

Patrick's arms comforted me, at least a little bit. I heard him whispering that it would be ok, but I honestly didn't believe him. I didn't know what to believe right then. I forced myself to stop crying, at least for a moment, and looked at him. I hugged him back, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding tight. He hugged me tighter in return and we let go after a few seconds. We looked at each other, and I felt somewhat hypnotized. Suddenly, I heard the car stop. "Wh-where are we?" I asked Sean.

He was the driver because of his fake lisence. He looked older than fifteen, as he actually was. His mom let him borrow the car because she let him do everything. He's so spoiled. It's irritating.

"We're back in town, at a stoplight." He replied calmly, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Deanna scooted back beside me. "Are you okay?" She asked, searching my face. "Fine, thanks." I muttered back. "You sure?" She asked again. "Yeah. I'm sure." I nodded once and she replied with, "Alright,"

Sean announced, "Ok, I'll drive you guys home, if you like," We all agreed. First stop, Connor's house came up on the right. We waved goodbye to him and took off when he stepped over the threshold. Deanna's house came next, and she hugged us all goodbye. She solemnly walked to her house and rang the doorbell. The door opened and she vanished inside. We huddled closer together, to keep warm. It was really cold out here, during the fall.

Erin's house came next. Nick gave her a hug, and so did I. She wrenched out of it in annoyance and stepped inside. We could hear her mom and dad watching a Nascar race, as usual. We waved goodbye and she waved back. I was smushed in between Nick and Patrick. I felt pretty safe. Nick's house was coming in close, and I hugged him goodbye. His footsteps echoed through the night and he slammed the door shut behind him.

"Patrick..." I murmured as we started driving again. "Yes?" He replied, looking down at me, his arm draped around my shoulders. "Do you think we'll see that guy again?" I felt him tense up a bit. "Um...I honestly don't know...." I snuggled in closer to him. "Sean!" I called. "Yeah?" He looked at me in the rear-view mirror. "Can you drop us off here?" Patrick looked confused. "I'd rather walk home with you," I whispered to him. He nodded. Sean muttered, "Alright, sure," and pulled up to the nearest curb. We climbed out and started walking towards his house.

We were finally alone. Sean drove off in the other direction and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder again. We walked in silence for a little while. I put an arm around his waist and laid my head on his shoulder. We got to his house, and we stopped on the front porch. "Patrick, can you call me in the morning?" He nodded. "Sure, if you like," We were silent for a few seconds longer, and we looked at each other. Slowly, as if it were only natural, he leaned into me.

His lips met mine and shivers went up my spine. I kissed him back, laying one hand on the back of his neck, pulling him closer. We let go, looking at each other once more. "Good night..." He muttered. "Good night," I whispered and walked away, him closing the door gently behind me. The whole way home, I completely forgot about the crazy guy who jumped on the van. The only thing I could think of was the ginger I had just walked away from.