The Strangest Things

2: Escape

ZARA’S P.O.V

Inside Zara’s mind

‘Where are you, Zara. Mommy misses you bunches. I want you home before midnight on Thursday before bad things happen, darling.’

“Mom...Bad...Things.” 

“Zara? Hey, wake up. Wake up baby girl.”

“SHE’S ALIVE” I jolted up in shock and started hyperventilating. I searched for something..anything. I felt hands on my shoulders and I heard muffled talking but could not register anyone.

“Zara.. ZARA!” I finally snapped out of it and saw Max looking at me concerningly. “Who’s alive and what do you mean bad things?”

“Max. I don’t know. I go-”

“You're not stuttering. How are you not stuttering? Ahh who cares right now. Tell me what happened to you.”

“I was going to the mall with Jay and I got scared cause she went fast so I yelled at her to pull over and I ran away to a meadow. Then two male werecats came and attacked me, I tried to get to safety and I fought them but they were too strong and knocked me out. I woke up later and was being dragged. They found out I was awake and one of them tried choking me against the tree but the other one saved me from dying. That didn’t stop the guy from knocking me out again. I don’t know anything that happened after that.” 

I looked up at Max and he seemed disappointed. He dropped his head and sat back on his seat “Dammit”

“I’m sorry” I looked at my hands and let out tears unexpectedly. I heard him get up and felt his hand on my chin. He moved my face to look at him and he wiped my tears. “When I was passed out, someone talked to me. It was a woman. She said that she wants me home before Thursday at midnight.”

“Was there anything else she said?”

“No, Max. I just wanna go home.” I started crying harder and Max took me in his arms and hugged me close. I hugged him back and closed my eyes. I felt the tears fall off my cheeks as I squeezed Max’s shirt tightly and felt him pick me up. I opened my eyes to see where we were going and saw us heading to a car.

Max set me in the passenger seat and he got into the driver side. I looked down at the seat and saw marks where my claws dug into. I looked up at Max and saw him staring at me. “I’m sorry about your car.”

“No need. I can always get it fixed and plus, you were scared you couldn’t control it.” Max pulled out of the hospital and turned in the completely different direction of the pack house, then left the pack grounds.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

An hour later we pulled into an empty dirt lot with stone sticking out of the ground in quite a few places. “What is this place, why is it so...dead here?”

“That is because we are in a cemetery.” I looked at him blankly and he did the same back. “A cemetery is where we bury dead people in holes that are called graves, so their loved ones can come here, mourn and pay respect to the ones we lost.” I nodded my head and grabbed his hand, holding it close to my chest.

Max pulled me to two graves that read Kim and David Valentine. “Who are they?”

“That is your mother and father. Your father died in battle after your mother became pregnant with you and your mother died from the c-section.” I raised my hand to my mouth and started crying. 

“Why did you bring me here?” 

“So you can see that your parents are gone. It’s a forgive and forget situation.”

“She’s Alive!” I stared at him in shock at my raised tone. “I’m sorry. I just- She is alive, I know she is because I can feel it.”

“Zara, please”

“I can’t exactly forgive my mother for attacking the alpha, and I especially can't forget that she abandoned me after being alive all this time.”

“I’m sorr-”

“Just take me home, Max.” I turned around and walked back to the car. Max got in as well and we left the cemetery.

On the way home I tried to find the connection with the lady that messaged me when I was in the hospital. ‘Hello?’

‘Hello my dear.’

‘Are you Kim Valentine? Are you my mother?”

‘Why yes, my chil-’

‘Don’t call me that. Only Claire may call me by that name.’

‘Thanks darling.’ My wolf whispered to me and I smiled at her.

“What are you smiling at?” I looked up and saw Max looking down on me without looking at the road.

“Watch the road Max. I was talking to Claire.” He glanced at the road for 0.5 but then back at me. We looked at each other for what seemed like days but then I heard a horn blaring and looked out of the windshield and saw a semi truck heading directly towards us“LOOK OUT!”

I grabbed the wheel and spun it to the right. The car went over rails and headed towards the ground that was 30 feet away from us. I gripped onto Max’s shirt and squeezed him tightly as the ground came rushing towards the car. I felt my body go numb as the car made the impact and everything was completely gone.

I groaned and sat up. I looked around and saw Max being checked on by a paramedic. “Max..I need to talk to you.” He looked at me and nodded. ‘Come find me, mother.’

‘I already have, Daughter’

Max and I were away from everyone else. I started crying and looking at the ground. He reached out to me but I backed away and made direct eye contact with him. In my peripheral I saw two werecats waiting at the forest edge and knew that I should do what I wanted to now.

I looked him in the eyes again and sighed “I’m so sorry but, I, Zara Valentine reject you, Max Kissinger as my mate.” I saw the pain in his eyes and started crying harder. I then looked back to the werecats and saw a familiar woman holding out her arms for me to run into. ‘Is that Kim?’

‘Yes, My child.’ I heard the pain in Claire’s voice as she confirmed and I hesitantly looked back at Max, who was clutching his chest like his heart exploded and it didn’t help stop the tears coming out of my eyes. It just made them worse. 

“I-I’m so sorry Max. It- It’s just I-I”

“Why.”

“It’s not right for a Cat and Wolf to be together, and not to mention the fact my whole life was with you and your pack and I have been nothing but injured.”

“Zara, please rethink this. I love you and If I lose you, I will die. The pack will die without a Luna.”

I shook my head at him “You’ll find someone who is right for you. I’m just not that person.”

“Zara Please. I love you.” I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned on my heel and sprinted to Kim's arms. She took me into a warm hug and I could feel Max’s glare on us. 

I looked back and saw him heading towards us with a stern but broken expression. His target was Kim. I heard howling in the distance and I knew that he linked that pack. I looked at Kim and pushed her towards the path they took “Go. He called his pack and he will murder you and your entire family.”

Kim nodded and grabbed my hand. She pulled me with her and we shifted into our cats. We picked up speed as we heard paws thudding close behind us and then a bright circle appeared in front of our path. Kim ran and her warriors ran into so I followed.

We popped out of another bright circle, in the middle of a very crowded area. I looked around and saw humans staring at all the abnormally large cats that were in front of them. I looked at Kim to know what to do and she winked at me.

She started sprinting it. We chased after her into the forest and followed her to a huge palace that was surrounded by a wall and guards around the whole perimeter. “Come darling. I have someone I need you to meet.” I saw Kim shifted back to her human form and so I followed. 

She led me into the palace and into the kitchen. There was a man about my age there making food and turned around to greet us. “Good evening, my queen” He bowed his head to Kim and looked over to me. “And who is this beautiful young lady?”

“Well Zak, this is Zara. You future wife and Luna.” I shot my head to Kim in disbelief

“Wife? You never said anything about an arranged marriage.” I shook my head and sat on a nearby stool “I just rejected my mate and now I have to get married to a man I don't know anything about.”

“I’m not asking either of you. I’m telling you that you will mate by the end of the week and married at the end of the month. Zak will be taking you to his room where you both will be staying.” Zak nodded his head and started heading up stairs. He turned back and signaled for me to follow “Dinner will be ready in an hour and you will be too.”

“Yes, my queen.” Zak grabbed my hand and drug me to the room. He closed the door and turned to face me. “The bathroom is through there. Go and take a shower then come back out and get ready for dinner.”

“I-um, can you turn the shower on for me?” He smiled lightly and walked into the bathroom. A few seconds later he came back out and held the door open for me to walk in. I went in and he closed the door behind me. I sighed and mind linked Max ‘Max?’

‘Zara?! How are you mind linking me. Wait..why did you reject me? Why did you leave me after I showed you love!’

‘Max. Kim threatened you and your pack. She said she would kill everyone until I went back to her. But she is doing something way worse now that I am with her.’

‘What is it?’

‘She is forcing me to mate and marry a man that I don’t even know. I can’t. I won’t. But she is going to force me no matter how much I resist so I just wanted to let you know I love you and that I would neer do anything to hurt you or the pack so I have to go through with it. I have to go and shower for dinner. Tell Trent and your parents I am terribly sorry for the pain I have caused.’

‘Keep me in the loop, Zara. I will let the pack know and I love you as well. I respect you and your decision.’

‘Goodbye.’ I cut off the link and got undressed. I stepped into the shower and started scrubbing my head. I searched for the bottle that said Shampoo and pumped three squirts into my left hand and rubbed it into my skull and continued the pump shampoo to go down my long brown hair. 

My hair was longer than my arms. It passed my knees and was straight. I have not cut or trimmed my hair since I was 3 years old. If you measured my hair it would be roughly 5 feet long when dry and curly but about 7 when wet. Now that I think about it, Kim will probably chop it all off.

“Zara!? Are you okay in there? It’s been 30 minutes!” I heard Zak knocking on the door and knew that it was almost time to eat.

“I’m fine, I am getting out right now!” I reached to the handle and tried to turn it off but couldn’t so I just stepped out of the shower and rapped a towel around my hair and body. I opened the door and saw Zak standing there. “I don’t know how to turn it off.”

“Let me show you.” He pushed me back into the bathroom and to the shower. He grabbed my hand and led it down to the shower handle. I could feel his breath on my neck and shivered but continued to pay attention to what was going on in front of me.

“To turn it on you turn it left until you reach the temperature you want and when you are done showering you turn it right until the water stops.” He turned the handle slowly and pressed his face into my neck. I felt uncomfortable as both his arms snaked around my waist.

He kissed my sweet spot which made me whimper in fear for my cat. ‘Max, he wants to mark us. I don’t know what to do, I don’t want him. I want you. Please help me, Max.’

‘Where are you?!’ Zak took me out of the bathroom and pulled the towel off my head. 

“Your hair is beautiful, darling.” He kissed my chin and went down to my collarbone. I started crying and tried pushing him off but he was too strong for me. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it. I cried in pain as I felt my bone snap.

“P-please, stop it.” He chuckled and continued to kiss down my body. ‘Claire, we need to shift and get out of here.’

‘I agree’ I shifted my hands and scratched Zak’s neck. He flinched back and grasped onto his neck then I stood up and put on some clothes that were originally sitting out for me. Zak got up and started walking towards me. When he got close enough I kicked him in his area.

He fell to the floor and groaned. I opened the window into his room and climbed out onto the edge of the roof. I looked down at the 100 ft drop. ‘Jump into a tree. It will be harder for them to catch us.’

‘Okay.’ I took a deep breath and walked backwards to the window. I got ready and sprinted off of the roof into a tree. I felt my belt being ripped off as I nearly escaped the grasp of Zak’s arms and an immediate flash of luck rushed into my body.

I landed on a tree and didn’t waste any time on sprinting to the place we came in from. 

After a few days of running, I reached the last tree in sight and jumped down. I continued sprinting until human territory and before I reached a town I stopped for a breath. ‘Act like you just escaped a kidnapper. Rip up your clothes and rub dirt on your body to make them believe.’

I thought about it and figured it was a good idea. I ripped my shirt and the bottom of my pants. I didn’t need anything for my feet because I wasn’t originally wearing any shoes so there were already cuts on my feet. 

I saw a diner and more buildings passed it so I started running again. I saw a sign on the diner that said it was closed so I continued into town. This time I was walking and felt my eyelids grow heavy as the sun started coming up. I’ve been running all night without food, water or sleep.

As I was walking I came across this teenager opening a restaurant and I smiled internally. “Hey! Can you please help me?” The girl turned to me and her eyes opened in shock. She dropped the boxes she was carrying and ran to me. “Please, call someone. I was kidnapped.”

“Come inside.” She led me inside the restaurant and sat me down in the back room. “What’s your name? How old are you? How long have you been gone?”

“My name is Zara, I’m 16 and about 3 days I was gone.”

“Well Zara, I’m Alya. I am 18 and I am going to help you. Here’s a blanket, I will go get you a drink and be right back.”

“Wait! What’s the address to this place?”

“Uhh- 3855 Tea Berry Lane. This restaurant is called Prince’s.”

“Thank you.” I looked at her sincerely and she smiled then walked away. ‘Max? Are you there?’

‘I’m here. What happened. Where are you?’

‘I escaped him. He broke my wrist but its not healing. I made it into town and I met this girl named Alya. She let me stay inside a restaurant called Prince’s at 3855 Tea Berry Lane. Alya called the police because Claire made me tell her I was kidnapped. Please, Max come help me.’

‘Trent and I are on our way. Your not to far so do not leave with the police. We will be there soon. I love you, Zara. Please be safe.’

‘I love you to’ I sighed and started crying into my hands as I thought back to what just happened. How could Kim do that to her own daughter.

“Hey Zara, this must be hard on you. Do you have any family you can go home to?” I shook my head and started crying even more which made Alya hug me tightly. “Oh you poor baby. How about you come home with me today. I’m sure my boss will understand.”

I shook my head “No, I can’t leave. They are almost here.”

“they? Who’s they? Your kidnappers?” I shook my head.

“No, If he was almost here I would’ve kept running. I’m talking about my friends. I have a question for you. It may seem weird.”

“What is it?”

“Do you wanna come home with me? My friends are rich and can help you if you need it.”

“I-I um, Yeah. But, I need to get Logan first.”

“Logan? Who is Logan?” 

“My young brother. He’s only 7. Our parents died last year in a crash.” She looked down at her hands. 

There was a crash in the front of the restaurant and I stood up and blocked Alya from going out to see. I whispered for her to stay there and she nodded. I crept into the bar and saw a man standing with his back towards us. His head turned his turned a little and I saw who it was

“Max!!” I yelled his name with a smile and when he turned his head to me. He smiled and I ran into his arms. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I missed you and feel horrible for what I have done. I’m so sorry, Max. I love you. I didn’t tell you what Kim said and it ruined everything. I ruined everything.” I started crying in his chest and felt his muscles relax.

“Hey, Look at me.” I looked at him with tears in my eyes and he looked sincere. “I forgive you. I love you and not telling me what Kim said was foolish but your learning. Come here.” I smiled at him and he wiped my tears away.

“Alya! You can come out. It’s my friends.” Alya came out and I saw Trent tense up and his eyes widen.

“Mate.” He growled and went to Alya. I looked up at Max and he had a smile on his face. I looked over to Trent again and he had Alya in a deep kiss.

“Don’t mean to ruin the moment but we should head to Alya’s house to get her brother, Logan. Logan was his name, correct?” She nodded and had a deep blush on her face. A man walked into the restaurant and looked pissed at the sight in front of him.

“What the hell? Alya! What the hell happened here!? Who are these people?”

“Hi Mr. Prince. I am giving you my two weeks notice. Thank you we will be leaving now.” She grabbed me and Trent’s hand and I pulled Max’s as we exited Prince’s “Where is your guy’s car?”

“Car?” Max scoffed. “We don’t need a car.” Max shifted and Trent smiled at Alya and shifted. Alya looked terrified and Trent nudged her leg and gestured to his back. 

“Why is he doing that?!” I laughed at her and held her hand tighter. 

“Get on his back and hold on to his neck. We run pretty fast.” She hesitantly gulped and nodded. She gently swung her left leg over his body and gripped onto his neck like I told her to. I shifted as well and we took off.

“Over there”  Alya pointed at a small house at the end of a street and we continued to run. I slowed down a bit to catch my breath and rest my sore feet.

I gained a headache as I slowed my pace more and more and soon my vision was going in and out. I groaned as I felt my neck stinging and through my blurred vision and hearing I heard Max calling out to me.

I felt a sharp pain in my neck and then was about to pass out when it stopped. ‘You okay, Zara?’ I nodded my head and shifted back, decided not to tell Max about the pain I just experienced.

“Yeah, I just was running without sleep for three days. Not even with a nap.” As if planned, I yawned and my eyes started to close. I reached out for Max and hugged his body like it was my pillow. “Hmm, you're so warm and comfortable.” I snuggled closer to Max’s body and fell asleep on his back.