Awakening Fate

Chapter 12: The Escape

Emmeline’s POV

              Hours tick by slowly as I wait for my chance at freedom. It was now late into the evening, and I watch as lightning flickers in the distance. I sighed contently as I watched the wind start to pick up outside. The smell of fresh rain fills the air. This smell has always provided me comfort. Closing my eyes, I start to picture my home. The lush green lands surrounded by woods and mountains. I thought about the falls where we would go swimming in the summer. I missed every bit of my home, and I would do anything to get back.

              A small knock breaks me from my thoughts. Dr. Adams enters the room with a small blue backpack. He smiles slightly and holds a finger up to his lips indicating that I should remain quiet. I watch as he moves around the room placing items into the bag. He hands me some clothes and gestures me to go change. I dash to the small bathroom and put on a pair of black leggings with a dark V-neck gray t-shirt, a pair of black tennis shoes, and a black zip up hoodie. He hands me the bag and gestures me to follow him out into the hallway. He walks through a doorway and into a stairwell. I stop when I notice he starts to walk up rather than down.

              “We are going to the roof and then we are going to cross over to another building. There are too many here who will recognize you.” He whispers before continuing to climb the stairs. I quickly follow him trying not to let my current state hold me back. As we reach the roof Dr. Adams stops and plays with a device that looks like a tablet. Thunder echoes through the air when suddenly everything goes black.

              “That’s our cue.” He says pulling me out the door onto the roof and into the pouring rain. All the surrounding buildings are also dark.

              “You did that?” I ask trying to shield my body as much as possible from the rain and wind.

              “I know how to fry a system and make it look like nature is to blame.” He shrugs with a small proud smirk. “This way,” he tilts his head towards the far side of the building.

              He picks up a ladder and places it across the gap between the hospital and another building. I hesitate slightly and look down. Oh goddess, if I fall, I will surely die. We are about six stories up. I watch as Dr. Adams moves across the ladder effortlessly. I groan and slowly follow him trying to keep my balance as the wind swirls the heavy rain around us. Once across he brings us to a door but as we move inside, he pushes me up against a wall. We are standing in another stairwell that is cold and white.

              “Keep your head down and remain quiet. This is the pack house.” He whispers making my blood run cold. “Once we get to the other side, we will be closer to the woods and you will be able to make it to the train station form there. In the bag is a ticket that should take you to where your former pack is located.” He says moving into a hallway and through the dark corridor quickly.

              As we move through the floors of the pack house, I take a moment to glance around the place. The halls are like the stairwell. It looked like pack members changed former offices of the building into their own private quarters. Everything is still dark, but yelling can be heard from floors below us.

              “Someone fix the damn power!” Dominic’s voice booms from the floor directly below us, making us freeze. We make our way to an open stairway and glance down to find that we are now standing on the third floor. Dominic stands on the floor below us glaring at a group of males who look frightened. He is dressed only in a pair of jeans that are hanging low on his waist with his black hair looking disheveled. We remain hidden in the shadow of the open stairwell watching the scene below. I see Mia standing behind Dominic looking annoyed in an oversized t-shirt. She glares at the other members before placing her hands on Dominic’s arms gently.

              “Baby, make someone else deal with this. I want to go back to bed.” She whines and presses herself into him.

              Dominic growls and pinches the bridge of his nose before moving out of her grasp. She scowls and throws a look to the one named Roy who is also standing there in a pair of jeans. He glares at her but nods before looking back out towards the group of males standing on the main level. He beckons one of them forward.

              “The main power source is located below the office sir. We need you to unlock it as that is where the tunnels are.” The male states in a shaky voice. His eyes remain glued to the floor in front of him as he shows his submission.

              “Then let’s get going.” Dominic says in such a low voice it sends shivers down my spine. He moves to the stairwell climbing down to the main floor. He joins the small group of males and walks out outside, disappearing into the rain.

              “You’re losing your touch Mia.” Roy says with a playful smirk. 

              Mia stomps her feet and pouts at the fact that she has been left alone. “Well, I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t brought that little thing here.” She whines and walks over to him throwing her arms around his torso. “What kind of brother does that to me?” Of course, these two are related! I can’t help but roll my eyes as I consider how they both despise me.

              Roy laughs a little before pushing her down the hall. “Don’t worry my little firecracker. She is just going to be a plaything. The Alpha may even share this toy.” He states while walking his sister down the dark hall away from the stairwell. I feel bile moving up my throat making me swallow hard before I accidently vomit all over the stairs.

              Dr. Adam’s pulls me slowly from the shadows down the stairs. We round a corner and run right into Matteo who looks at us shocked. I stiffen and Dr. Adams crouches into a defensive stance. Matteo stares at us for about a minute before glancing behind himself quickly.

              “Go now! There shouldn’t be anyone that way.” He says pointing behind him.

              “Thank you, Matteo.” I say giving him a slight hug. He smiles and nods softly before pushing me away from him and walking towards the stairs.

              Dr. Adams pulls me away again quickly. He moves at such a fast pace that I have to run just to keep up. He pulls me into what appears to be a large garage. We move towards the far side of the garage to a small metal door.

              “This is where I must leave you Emmeline.” He says giving me a sad look.

              “Please come with me. I know there will be a place for you within my home pack.” I plead with him, but he only shakes his head.

              “I have to stay for now to make sure you get out safe. After that then I can try and get myself out.” He says softly with a small tight smile. “Now everything you need is in the front of your backpack. It also includes my cell number in case you need it. Once you leave these doors, I want you to run straight into the woods and keep running. They will lead you to the train station and from there straight to the area where you pack is located.” He moves to open the door but I pull him back into a tight hug.

              “Thank you, Zachariah. I will never forget this.” I state close to tears. He returns my hug with a deep sigh but then suddenly pulls away and pushes the door open.

              I turn and run straight towards the woods. I shiver under the pouring cold rain. Once I hit the woods, I start to feel a bit safer due to being under the cover of the trees. My feet pound onto the uneven forest floor carrying me forward.

              As I continue to run I hear a loud growl echoing through the air. It sounds distant but I know for certain that Dominic has been made aware that I am missing. I pick up my pace trying to push myself as fast as I can. My foot catches a root that causes me to tumble forward hitting my head onto the ground. I quickly pull myself up and continue to run. I know that Dominic would pick up on my scent and has already started to pursue me. I don’t have time to make any more mistakes.

              Making my way through the dense forest I start to spot flickers of lights ahead of me. I can hear trains in the distance telling me that I am close to my destination. The woods let out near a highway. I quickly cross it and make my way towards the train station. Once inside I notice that it is quite busy. People who look like tourists fill the waiting areas and move in and out of the paths leading to the platforms. As I most through the crowd, I can feel peoples gazes on me. I must look like a wet mess considering I just ran about a mile or two to get here. I continue to walk towards the platform and see that my train is currently boarding.

              “Emmeline Stop Right There!” Dominic’s voice yells out through the crowd. I turn and see him walking through the entrance. His eyes focus solely on me as he moves towards the crowd with a few of his pack members. I turn instantly and sprint through the crowd. I start to panic, and tears start to fall down my face as I start to consider not making it out of here.

              “Final boarding call for passage 918.” A voice rings out over the intercom. Oh, goddess please let me make it. I get to the gates and hand a man my ticket. He tears off a piece and hands it to me before letting me by.

              I quickly take the chance to glance back and see that Dominic is gaining on me quickly. Running down the platform I enter towards the back of the train and take a seat opposite of the platform. I see Dominic pushing his way onto the platform as the doors of the train close. He pounds on the window yelling for me to get off, but I remain seated with my head down trying to slow my breathing. The train lurches forward leaving my nightmare Dominic cussing and growling on the platform.

              “Miss are you alright?” A man asks from the seat across from me. I simply nod and look back down towards my hands. I squint as I notice small red dots on my palms. Reaching up I can feel warm sticky liquid on my forehead.

              “Here.” The man says handing me some tissues.

              “Thank you.” I say giving a small smile and applying the tissue to the cut on my head. “Do you know how long until our next stop?” I ask looking back up towards the man.

              “About three hours. I hope once we get there you plan to have that looked at. It looks painful.” He says looking at my bleeding forehead with concern.  I nod and give him a small smile again before turning to gaze out the window.

              I feel myself start to relax as I start to make my way home. I lean back in my seat letting out a shaky breath as I took in the view as the train passed by. My eyes get heavy as I start to feel safe for the first time since I woke up.

              “Miss, we have arrived.” A voice says and I feel hands giving me a slight shake. I peel my eyelids back and blink a few times taking in my surroundings. Most of the train has emptied and the man who once sat across from me now stands over me with a grin.

              I sit up rubbing my eyes. “Thank you.” I mutter as I look around the train. I notice that the train is not empty. Gathering my stuff, I make my way towards the exit. I glance around nervously searching for Dominic or his pack members. Everything appears to be clear, so I make my way to the outside of the station. I start to feel excited as I realize I am now in the home stretch of being back with my family. I feel so tired, but the thought of being home makes me continue pushing forward as I make my way home.

              After some time, I see the gates that lead to out land. I release a long sigh of relief and approach the gates slowly. A male guard steps forward with a stern look on his face.

              “What business do you have here?” He asks looking me up and down in disgust.

              “I am a member of the Granite Pack, and I’m just trying to get home.” I state nervously and look down at my hands which are still covered in dirt and blood.

              The guard grunts slightly and a smirk plays on his face. “Okay then, what is your name?”

              “Emmeline Brookes.”

              The guard looks shocked and looks to the other guards who looks back at him with perplexed expressions. “Wait here.” He says and walks over to one of the towers. I look around and see the other guards staring at me making me feel uncomfortable. I choose to stare down at my hands and play with my fingers while I wait for an answer. As I start down, I notice that the ground appears to be moving making me feel dizzy. I look up when I hear footsteps approaching me. The guard is walking toward me quickly.

              “Okay, I am to escort you to the pack hospital.” He says gesturing me to follow him.

              “That’s good.” I mutter as I stumble forward. The world around me starts to spin and grow dark.

              “Hey, are you okay?” The guard calls out to me, but it’s too late. I’m already falling towards the ground and into darkness.