Chapter Two
1150 Words
Yes this is Midnight Express, how may I help you?
"I need a bus ticket tonight. The furthest you go."
"New York City. Next bus leaves in thirty minutes. Fifty dollars cash."
"I'll take it. My name is Elisa."
"Pay at the counter. Make sure you're here in fifteen minutes or I will sell your seat."
Please I'll be there Don't sell it.
I dropped my phone on the bare mattress. I grabbed my ripped backpack and shoved two pairs of jeans and a few shirts inside.
Twenty minutes, Kaleb gave me exactly twenty minutes to vanish before he sets his guards on me. Twenty minutes to pack my entire twenty years of life and leave.
My chest burned terribly. The freshly broken mate bond was like there was a shattered glass in my lungs with every breath I took.
"Elisa!" A small whisper came from my open window.
I spun around, dropping a sweater. "Maya? Get out of here! Are you crazy?"
My best friend climbed over the window and dropped into my tiny room. "I saw Kaleb leave with Seraphina. He told the pack you only have twenty minutes to leave here .
"I know, Maya! I'm packing!"
"You can't go to the human world. It's suicide for an unmated omega!
"Staying here is a literal death sentence! What choice do I have?"
I think We can hide you. I can talk to my dad to help.
"No! They will kill your entire family for harboring a rogue. I won't let you die for me."
"But how will you survive? You don't know anyone in New York!"
"I'll find a work in A motel. I'll scrub floors. I just need to blend in with the humans."
Maya is my best friend. The only one who cares. Saying goodbye to her hurts almost as much as the rejection. Almost.
Maya reached into her jacket and shoved a thick paper envelope into my hands. Take it. It's all my savings.
Maya, no. I can't take your money.
"Take it!" Maya sobbed, her voice cracking. "Or I will scream and bring the guards here myself."
"Okay. Okay, I'll take it."
And take this too. She reached behind her neck and unclasped her heavy silver locket. "To pawn if you get desperate."
I can't take your mother's necklace, Maya! Stop it.
"You are my sister, Elisa. Take it. Please."
I am shaking. I am completely terrified. But looking at Maya's tear-stained face, I know I have to be brave. I can't break down now.
"I promise I will pay you back. Every penny."
"Just stay alive. Call me when you get a safe phone."
I will. Now go Elisa! Your scent will linger.
Maya hugged me tight, kissing my cheek, before slipping back out the window into the dark woods.
I zipped my backpack shut and hung it over my shoulder.
I tried to Breathe in and Breathe out. Ignore the pain in your heart. You are taking back your life. Just walk out the door.
I took two steps toward the exit and reached out my hand.
Kor, kor , kor
Three heavy knocks sounded in the wooden door. I froze in my tracks.
"Elisa Vance!" a deep, chillingly unfamiliar voice barked from the hallway. "Open this door."
Who is that? The twenty minutes aren't up yet and that's not one of Kaleb's guards.
My blood immediately turned to pure ice as the doorknob slowly began to turn.
Look at the little Omega."
Silas said as The wooden door smashed open, the pack's most dangerous warrior was in the doorway.
He’s not supposed to be here. I still have like five minutes more!
Get out, Silas. Kaleb gave me twenty minutes.
Alpha Kaleb is busy with his new Luna Saraphina and doesn't care if I kill you or not. Silas said as he pulled a long silver blade from his belt. "Seraphina thought it would be honorable to you if a rogue attacked you before you ever left the territory."
Did She send you to kill me?
"Just tying up loose ends, sweetheart.
He is going to kill me. Right here in my bedroom. I have to move!
Stay away from me!" I screamed, backing toward the open window.
Silas lunged forward. Don't make this difficult, Elisa!
I grabbed my heavy metal desk lamp and hurled it straight at his head.
"Argh! You little b***h!" Silas yelled, dodging as the lamp smashed the wall.
Run! Now!
I threw my leg over the window. Silas lunged again, grabbing the thick strap of my backpack.
Yes "I've got you!"
Let me go now.
I twisted my body hard. The old, worn strap snapped. I plummeted backward out the window, landing hard in the muddy bushes below.
I felt great pain in my ankle. Ignore it and Get up!
Guards! The Omega is escaping! Silas roared from the window above me. "Hunt her down!"
"You won't catch me!" I yelled back, though my whole body shook.
I scrambled to my feet and sprinted into the dark woods.
"Over there! I hear her!" a deep voice echoed through the trees.
Stay round the tree Don't let her reach the road!" another shouted.
They are too fast. Fully grown wolves against a wolf-less girl. I have to reach the highway. I have to survive!
I pushed my burning legs faster. Branches whipped my face. The tree line finally broke. Neon lights from a rusty gas station flickered in the distance.
The Midnight Express bus was waiting for me.
Wait!" I screamed, waving my arms frantically as the engine revved. "Wait for me!"
The bus driver frowned, pulling the folding doors open.
Are You the girl who called?
"Yes! Elisa! I have the fifty dollars!" I shoved Maya's crumpled money into his rough hands.
Get to the back. We're leaving.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
I stumbled down the narrow aisle and collapsed into a cracked leather seat in the very back row.
"Hey! There she is!" a wolf howled from the edge of the woods.
Silas burst from the trees, shifting into his massive, terrifying brown wolf. He charged straight for the bus.
Oh Goddess, no. He's going to rip the doors open. He's going to drag me out.
"Drive! Please, drive!" I shrieked at the driver.
"Crazy stray dogs," the driver muttered, slamming his heavy boot on the gas pedal.
The bus lurched forward. Silas snapped his massive jaws at the back tires but missed as we merged violently onto the roaring highway.
I did it. I escaped the Silver Moon pack. I am alive.
"Where does this bus stop?" an old human woman sitting in the middle seat asked
New York City, I whispered, staring out the dirty window into the pitch-black night.
Are You running from something, honey?
No. I gripped Maya's locket tightly in my trembling fist. I'm running to something.
- Writer
