Page 122 of Wicked

Suddenly, a news helicopter roars past the window, filming us.

“Look, I need distance!” I say, throwing my passport in my daypack.

“So, you’re running? Running when things get a little heated?”

“Yes!” I yell as I keep packing with tear-filled eyes. “It’s for the best! And if you want more news, I’ve fallen for you, and I know it’s my fault, but I love you. I loved you!”

I pack head down as tears stream from my eyes.

I manage to catch Dante shaking his head and he yells, “It’s not love, and it’s way too early. You’re also way too young and naive to know what love really is!”

A knife slices my heart in two.

I turn to Dante, and I wipe tears away with my wet hands. It’s bad timing because those same eyes of his that had connected so deeply to my soul… show hatred.

Dante and I are a foot away, but…we…us…is gone.

“You’re just a kid, Raven. And what do you know? You haven’t even seen the fucking world!”

I freeze and it’s as if Dante has driven a sword into my heart and twisted it. I need to vomit, and below me, Tito watches me through caring eyes. It’s as if he can feel my pain.

There and then, my love for Dante dies.

I don’t know what else he yells over the circling chopper because I have switched off. As I jam the last things into my daypack, I yank my wrist from his arm…

And run.

51

RAVEN

I streak down the castle steps as fast as I can. I am still wearing the black riding boots and jodhpurs. As I hit the lobby, I dash between nosy tourists, and my pack goes over my shoulders.

I vault quickly onto Olive, and I charge away with Tito on my heels.

Behind me, Dante runs outside, but he stops as the news cameras film him, me, and the castle. Above us, the news helicopter circles, and it films everything.

It’s not a discreet escape, but as I charge through trees, I stay low, and I hold on for my life.

Just as I think I’ve made it, and the chopper has lost me, the helicopter banks around and heads my way.

As I gallop through the leaves and low branches, head down, tears pour from my eyes, and I see little.

Finally, I lose the helicopter deep in the trees, and I double back around the back of the castle. I slow at the dangerous cliff trail, and I look back to see Tito still following.

Panting, he runs up with big, confused eyes.

“Go home, boy! Go home,” I say, wiping an eye to see.

I ride on, and as I cry, Tito keeps coming. After pushing myself down the dangerous cliff-face, I make it to the beach.

I then decide, and it is high risk. All or nothing…

I will be out in the open, and highly visible if the chopper circles wider, or if anyone calls it in. It will be a horribly long two minutes, but I have no other choice.

As I charge across the sand, I stay extra low and flat. Tito sticks with me, and finally, I ride up to the villa, my phone still beeping with messages and emails.

I vault down, and I dig in my daypack for the rental keys. After opening the damaged red rental car, I try the engine.

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