Page 82 of Madness & Mayhem

Life-altering.

We reach the thickest part of the woods, where the edge of the water meets the end of town. Archer slows down, turning around the bend and heading north.

“We’re close,” Archer says, leaning forward as he stares out the window. We all lean forward simultaneously, and soon enough, finally making our way out of Hellcrest Heights.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, letting out a small chuckle. I didn’t actually think we’d make it. Like, I was almost certain we’d get caught, but I knew we had to take the risk.

And it worked.

Archer drives through the forest, and slowly, we all begin to relax. Settling back in our seats, we wait to get through the rest of the trees and turn onto the highway. Leaning over, Archer turns on the stereo, when an alarm blares over the speakers.

“What the fuck?” Kyler leans forward, turning the sound down.

“Hello, this is the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations reporting to you with a city-wide emergency. We are looking for a Ford F-150, black, with a license plate one-four-eight, J-B-Q. That’s one-four-eight, J-B-Q. Vehicle was last seen near the jail and headed east. Local fugitives Reign Whitmore and Lakyn Ashford are among the passengers in the vehicle, most likely armed and dangerous. If seen, please do not approach, but instead call nine-one-one immediately to be transferred to the appropriate office. Hellcrest Heights Jail has also been breached, and a number of local inmates have escaped. We advise all residents to stay indoors until we alert you otherwise. Thank you and stay safe.” The voice is automated as another alarm goes off and the message repeats.

I turn to look at Reign, and he’s staring out the window with a clenched jaw. “Fucking hell.”

“We’re already out,” Kyler says. “We’ll be fine.”

“We have to ditch the truck,” Archer says. “Ditch the license plates, too, maybe.”

“Where? And then what? We travel on foot? We’ll stick out like a sore fucking thumb,” Eloise snaps.

“We’ll get a different car. Just make sure we ditch this one out of sight. Maybe in the woods across the river. There’s a small town on the other side. We can probably find something there,” Reign grumbles from beside me, his eyes outside the window.

Archer nods, hopping onto the highway and making his way across the river. It’s close to five a.m. now, and soon the sun will be up and the roads will be flooded with cars, all of them with eager eyes as they look for us.

We don’t have much time, which means we need to move now.

“There, get off there,” I point to the next exit, and Archer immediately turns into the right lane, cutting quickly off the divided highway and onto a lone highway. There isn’t a building in sight, but the woods quickly pick up again, and Archer turns toward them.

Kyler slaps the volume on the radio, turning off the incessant blaring of the alarm as the entire world begins looking for us.

“Are you guys going to be able to go back? I mean, they know it’s your car, Archer. How will you get away with this?” I ask, suddenly nervous for the rest of my friends, not wanting them to take the fall with me.

He looks in the rearview mirror. “I didn’t kill anyone, Lakyn.” His eyes narrow. “Not today at least. I won’t be going down. None of us will. My father will take care of it.”

I nod, knowing it’s most likely the truth. For Reign and me, I don’t feel like we have that choice. I feel as if we have crossed the line too far, and we no longer have the ability to escape our fate. What we must do now is find a new life, a new way of living. And we can both do that.

Together.

Archer makes his way into the woods, following the river. Piles of white snow fall across the river, while the edges are lined with ice and the middle ripples with cold, rushing waters.

I follow the river with my eyes as Archer heads toward the small bridge up ahead, crossing it as he makes his way into the small town of Renville.

“Shit looks like it’s been abandoned for years. How the hell do you know about this place?” Archer asks.

Reign sighs beside me. “I’ve been to a lot of places over the years. This was just another passing town I learned of.”

I glance at him briefly, wondering how much he’s been through over the years, with going to prison and getting out, staying away. Battling his father’s demons while also tackling his own. Reign has lived a dark life, and in turn it has made him a dark man.

And he’s found his dark companion.

I reach down, threading my fingers through his. I give him a squeeze, and in turn, he squeezes my hand back.

My heart melts, and I watch as Archer pulls off to the side in the woods, turning off his car.

“Well, it was a good run,” Archer grumbles as he taps his steering wheel.