Mason:
It took a lot of convincing before we were able to settle our roaming minds. We sat in silence as I dressed her other bruises. I wondered what she was thinking about as she never looked up to meet my eyes.
"I don't think I can live with you." She said, looking extremely frightened. "I'll leave when I get better."
I chuckled, wondering why she found it so hard to understand my point. "Did you not hear me the first time?" I looked up this time. "We are wanted. The moment you step out of here, you might be caught and killed. They are on our tails already and are watching our every move." I sounded dead serious.
"How do I get back home, then?"
"You can't." I dropped her bandaged hand onto her lap. "Now you have occupied my girlfriend's body. Now you are a thief. No one knows who you really are."
"But you said you didn't steal anything? Just tell them that and they'll leave you alone."
I laughed at her naiveness, "You think this is a cartoon? That you can just find your way out by begging?" I stood up. "Those people work for a multimillionaire. They can kill us and get away with it without anyone, except our wretched souls, knowing about it." She flinched, having a look of fear on her face. The Piper I knew was not the kind to get scared so easily. Seeing this new girl portray such opposite emotions was new to me. I had to get used to it.
"So are we going to keep running?" Her eyes met mine. She seemed so innocent.
"Apparently. We might find temporary hideouts from time to time while we get to the bottom of this. We need to clear our names."
"Why is all this happening?" She frowned, whispering to herself. She had a gentle way of looking at you, different from Piper's aggressive glares.
"While time passes, let's do a little introduction." I came and sat next to her...a little too close. She shifted farther away, leaving a wide gap between us. So shy!
"My name is Mason Parker." I began. "I work as a freelance courier. You know...I deliver packages and get paid. I was unfortunately framed, along with my girlfriend, for stealing a diamond necklace that was among the things we were delivering. " I looked over at her. "You?"
She looked at me, blinking several times. "I am Meredith Avery. I am a librarian's assistant at the Mount Hivers Library."
I nodded. Typical of her composure. "I was caught in a fire before entering this life. I don't know how it was caused, though." She lowered her head.
"So you love reading?" I tried to keep the conversation going. She nodded shyly. I had no idea about how to put myself together in her presence. I wasn't a friendly-looking guy and I was often told that I looked scary at first sight. I feared I may be too frightening to her and she might breakdown at any moment, hindering our escape plans. I tried to sound as friendly as possible.
"Do you have parents?" The question came offguard. I instantly regretted when her head snapped in my direction. Damn it!
"What?" She looked nervously at me.
"I meant...who are your parents?" I corrected myself.
She turned away, looking disgusted, "I don't wish to discuss it." Her voice was low and soft, something I never noticed in my girlfriend.
"Right." I could punch myself right now.
We were silent, an awkward tension filled the room. Then there was a knock on the door. I became alarmed. Who could be at the door by this time? It was almost midnight.
"Open up!" A rugged voice came through. "Pay your money. You've overstayed your welcome!"
I rolled my eyes. It was the motel owner. I had pleaded with him to make us stay for just one more night. He agreed, but now he was back kicking us out?
I opened the door. He saw me and grinned, "Hehe! Look here mister, I run this place with money and everything you see in there is the result of money." He pointed his hand towards the dirty couch and worn-out carpet.
"I thought you agreed to let us stay the night."
"Did I?" He frowned, his grey eyebrows shivering with every expression. "Yes, yes, I did. So...you should be gone before the break of dawn. I shouldn't see you here tomorrow morning." He had a threatening look on his face...like he knew something we didn't.
I nodded. "We will."
"Whatever you two are running from, don't bring it here." He smirked mischieviously, and then left towards the staircase. He knew about the chase? How?
I closed the door. "Let's move!" I grabbed my jacket and wallet and dashed past the girl.
"Why?" She stood up.
"This place is not safe." I replied. "Full of old liars and cheats."
"Where are we going, then?"
"I know a secret place where we can stay for the meantime. Let's go." She hesitated before standing up. I made sure the hallway was clear before we stepped out. Taking her hand in mine, I pulled her along with me. She lowered her gaze meekly.
Once we got out of the motel, we walked sneakily behind buildings, between walls and inside alleys. I had to look at her from time to time to see if she was okay. She followed submissively as if she had no option...she actually didn't.
We were almost at our destination when we were stopped by a strange man holding a baseball bat firmly in his hand.
"What a surprise." He laughed. His voice echoed through the night wind. How did they find us? The girl gasped, hiding herself behind me. "It seems your beloved is immortal. When I thought I killed her, here she is, looking stronger than ever. If only he knew.
"Boys?" Four other men appeared behind him, each holding a weapon. One of them had a gun.
"Is it them?" The girl shivered behind me.
"Sh." I tried to be assuring. "We'll handle them." Will we?
"Don't try to run, boy." He began taking slow steps towards us. I needed a plan. A quick one. If we made any move, we'd be shot.
"What do you want?" I tried.
"What else?" He laughed heartily. "Your lives." If they were after us because of the necklace, they would force it out of us. But here they wanted to get rid of us. Why?
One man pointed a gun towards us, aiming at my head. My heart beat fast...what do I do?
Then came the long awaited order, "Shoot!"