Page 2 of Run Baby Run

Fuck, this shit tastes vile! I’m never letting Molly mix her weird, disgusting cocktails for me ever again!

We laugh as we hurry to the kitchen in search of soda—or fucking bleach—to chase down the horrid taste.

After Molly finishes her cup of cola, we make fun of each other’s ‘gross’ faces, then grab blankets off the couch and head out on Molly’s balcony, looking up at all the stars that dot the night sky. We talk about our dreams, fears, and secrets; nothing is off-limits between us at this point.

I lay my blanket down and motion for Molly to sit on the balcony floor with me. The ice-cold bottle of vodka sits between Molly’s thighs as she crosses her legs and turns to face me under the moonlight with her blanket draped over her shoulders.

“What’s your most dangerous fantasy?” Molly blurts out, and the corners of her mouth tilt into a mischievous grin. I think for a second, raking my fingers through my hair, “Getting buried alive...”

Her eyes widen as her mouth pops open in surprise. “Uhm… what?! You want to be buried alive?” she whisper-yells, slurring her words as she unscrews the bottle’s cap and takes a large swig without breaking eye contact with me. I huff out a breathy giggle. “You said dangerous fantasy,” I shrug, “I have always wondered what it would be like to get buried alive. What’s yours?”

She takes another sip and hands me the bottle. “Damn,Lexi, I knew you were twisted, but that’s some dark shit,” she laughs before clearing her throat. “I meant sexual fantasies… I don’t fantasize about my death, you weirdo!” she jokes and nudges my knee as I gulp down two big sips from the bottle.

“Oh, shut up. You love my crazy ass!” I tease and poke out my tongue, revealing the silver stud that hugs it perfectly. She has been jealous of my piercing since the day I got it. She’d have one too, but she chickened out in the chair. She’s fine with tattoos, so seeing her freak out when she saw the piercing needle was hilarious.

“Yes, I do!” she laughs and drinks from the bottle. “Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine,” she eggs me on, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Well, I actually had a pretty interesting daydream earlier today. You ruined it,” I tease and grab the bottle from her hand before she empties it by herself.

“What? How did I ruin your fantasy daydream? I didn’t do shit!” she scoffs.

“You called… I told you to text me when you got home,” I say as she rolls her eyes and waits for me to tell her what she so rudely interrupted in my twisted imagination. “I was daydreaming about being kidnapped. The thought of it made me feel alive, you know… The idea that someone would snatch me from my daily life and keep me as their captive...”

Molly’s mouth is agape as I shift in my seated position, the heat from my cheeks spreading to my core as I picture the vivid dream. As soon as my attention is back on her, she cocks her head with a look of confusion.

“What?!” she slurs as she places the now-empty vodka bottle on the floor beside me. My cheeks flush brighter with a fucked-up mix of arousal and shame.

“You know, kidnapped and taken. Bound and gagged—to be used for my captor’s pleasure and not have to ask for something new like I had to with my ex. He was too safe. Too boring. I want someone to dominate me and take full control while also indulging in my curiosities and darker kinks,” I explain, shrugging my shoulders as I take a deep breath and wait for the judgment or worse:laughter.

“Seriously?” she asks in a confused but calm tone.

“Seriously,” I brush my hair behind my ear and move my tongue side to side in my mouth. The piercing makes a satisfying ticking sound against my teeth, easing some of the awkwardness I feel in my stomach.

“Why?” she asks in a whisper. I hesitate, so she continues. “I mean, you’re not the type of person who would want to be taken away like that. You’re…different.”

“Different?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Yeah. I mean, you’re the kind of person who is happy just chilling with her friends, eating pizza, and watching movies. You’re the kind of person who’d have a steady,normalboyfriend, easy-going but strong-willed. I can’t imagine you being held captive without putting up one hell of a fight to stop it from happening,” she says.

“So…I’m boring and stubborn?”

She laughs. “No. You’re not boring. Stubborn? Uhm, hell yeah. You just…don’t seem like the type to go looking for that kind oftrouble,” she says, fidgeting with her hands as if she feels guilty for saying it.

I smile and take her hands, “You’re right. I don’t like not being in control. But I want trouble. I want to be taken away, completely out of control, and feel the excitement and danger that comes with it. I’m tired ofnormal… Normal is fucking boring.”

She is quiet momentarily, then smiles and clears her throat. “Okay, my turn.”

Ugh, rude! She just brushed it off like I am fucking insane for having these fantasies. Maybe I am, but still… I can do crazy shit too! She’s not the only adventurous one.

“What is it?” I ask, pushing down the drunken annoyance at her sudden subject change from my fantasy to hers.

“I want Joel,” She confesses. Her cheeks immediately grow bright red as she waits for my reaction.

I chuckle, “Joel? Really? You still have a crush on that idiot?”

Molly rolls her eyes, “Shut up, Lexi. I know he’s not the best guy out there, and he can have any girl he wants, but something about him drives me wild.” I nod, understanding the feeling all too well. There have been a few men in my life who have made me feel that way.

“He is my cousin, so excuse my cringy expression. I’m afraid to ask, but what’s the fantasy?” I ask, hoping I don’t vomit at her confession.

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