Chapter 51 | THE SD CARD

The first thing I see when I come down the stairs with my duffle bag at nine in the morning is a familiar family seated at a table in the corner, enjoying a syrup-filled breakfast.

I smile when they wave me over, and when I notice Nina and Henry come out of the kitchen area, I smile in a silent 'good morning' to them.

"Hey, guys! Back for a visit again?"

"Yeah," Hayley nods, "Vanessa's idea."

Vanessa smiles at me, and I instantly see what's about to happen as she blindly reaches for her orange juice.

"Wait-"

Too late. William's mug of coffee is knocked over and spills all over the table, dripping down onto the floor.

She screeches, standing up from the table, managing to avoid getting any on her lap. However, some of it somehow manages to get on her legs as she starts to cry. "Hot! Hot! It's burning me, it's in my boots, too, mom-"

My eyes widen, not sure what to do, exactly, as her parents try to calm her down, and Nina and Henry come over.

"Here, I'll get a towel," Nina says. "I have an extra pair of socks her size that you can have. Mikaere--would you mind running upstairs to Rachel's room? In the chest at the end of the bed, there should be some socks that will fit her."

I nod, slightly confused as to why Henry can't do it, but nonetheless start to quickly make my way to their niece's old room.

Through the door to the fireplace room, up the stairs, and to the right.

I quickly move to the chest and find a pair of pink socks. Standing up, I'm about to the move to the door when the snow globe catches my eye once again.

It really does look like the ones I had back in Washington.

It wouldn't hurt to quickly see if the lights turned on, would it?

I've been burned by coffee before; it's not like she's in excruciating pain right now. At least, I hope not. Then, I'd feel really mean.

Besides, when else am I going to get a chance to see if the lights turn on?

It'd be weird any other time; at least now, I've been given a chance. I sigh, shaking my head. Sometimes I really do hate how curious I can be.

Moving to where it's placed by the mirror, I set down the pair of socks and pick up the snow globe.

Looking at the bottom of it, I see a switch.

So it does turn on.

Except, when I slide the switch, nothing happens.

Maybe the batteries don't work.

So, I open up the compartment, and right away, my vision slightly contracts.

No...no, it can't be.

My gut drops to the floor as I stare it, fear entering every part of my body, drenching me with anxiety. I find it kind of hard to breathe, even.

There are no batteries to be found. Instead, there is just an SD card maneuvered to fit inside without being wrecked.

I recall the different types of SD cards I've seen here, and then it's confirmed.

It is, in fact, the same type of SD card that John used.

Nina said she hardly ever comes in here...let alone touched anything. That's why, when she first went through Rachel's clothes, she needed alone time after. It was too painful.

But what about Henry? Is it the same for him, too?

Did he place this here, to hide it? Or did my uncle hide it before he disappeared when he came to talk to Nina?

I hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and my head snaps up instantly as I quickly grab the card, putting it into my pocket. My heart starts to race wildly as I scream at myself to hurry up, swiftly snapping back the compartment cover and putting everything back into place. Grabbing the socks and heading towards the door, I see Nina appear.

Henry's right behind her, though.

"Mikaere, is everything al...oh good, you found them."

"Yeah, sorry, took a moment to find a pair, and then I almost got distracted by how cute the room really is," I lie, glancing at Henry.

Nina nods, smiling sadly. "I agree. Rachel picked everything out herself. She really loved it here."

I nod and smile, but all the while, I can't take my mind off the SD card currently sitting in my left sweatshirt pocket.

We're all put through a few seconds of silence before Nina then starts to go back downstairs.

I begin to follow her before Henry pauses, walks into the room, and stops in front of the snow globe.

Wait...

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. This isn't good.

Then, he slowly raises his head, turning slightly to meet my gaze.

And at that moment, as I stare directly into this man's eyes, I know that he knows that I know. Holy crap, I feel like I'm in some scary thriller movie.

Without another thought, I instantly take off, running down the stairs as fast as I can. Flying down the last three steps, I burst out into the bar and restaurant area. Scooping up my bag, I sling it over my right shoulder before quickly walking over to give them the socks.

I don't hear Henry coming down the steps, so maybe he's waiting until I'm on my way to Vaughn's to follow me. After all, that would be the best place to do so. The isolated woods could easily blame anything on the 'valiant' wolves.

What does this all mean, though?

I feel a lump start to rise in my throat but somehow manage to calm myself with the thought of seeing Vaughn soon.

Then, we can go back to his cabin and look at what's on the SD card.

I put on a fake smile, handing over the socks as I pat Vanessa on the shoulder.

"Do you guys need anything else? I'm about to head out, so..."

"Oh, you're leaving already? Don't you want breakfast first?" Nina asks.

"No," I answer a bit too quickly and inwardly cringe. "I mean...no thanks, I just really have to get back."

Yeah, I'm hungry as usual, but I really need to leave.

She smiles, then, as another one of her knowing looks graces her face.

"Of course. Go back to Vaughn."

What?

No! It's not like that!

But, I'd prefer it if she believes that's why I'm in a hurry. It's certainly better than, 'my missing uncle's SD card was hidden in your missing niece's room, and your husband probably knows what's on it.'

So, I merely smile and nod for what feels to be the twentieth time today, grabbing Vaughn's bow and arrow that Nina placed in a corner behind the bar.

Then, after saying my goodbyes, I'm cautiously but quickly making my way out of the tavern.

I have to be more careful and observant than ever now. I don't care if Vaughn is or isn't on his way, yet. I don't feel safe here, so I'm heading back, unable to wait around for him, and by doing so, I'm giving Henry a perfect opportunity to stop me.

I take off running, not caring what anyone who sees me will think, focused solely on getting to the trail. Struggling to manage my breath as I push myself to go faster, the cold air burns terribly at my lungs.

I hate this so much. I hate running.

And what makes me hate this particular time, even more, is that this feels so much like the day I ran away. The bag on my shoulder bounces up and down annoyingly, hitting my back as I keep moving forward, but as much as I despise it, I don't stop. Because, frankly, I can't stop.

The trees when I ran away have been replaced by buildings, and deep snow for tire tracks.

Thankfully, though, this time I'm not wearing snow pants or tight jeans.

Up ahead, I see the trail entrance appear, and I glance behind me when I hear what I assume to be is a large truck.

Oh, no.

The very familiar-looking truck has been parked a few yards away from me, but as I keep running, it gets farther away from me. I glance back ahead for a split second before returning my gaze to the black Chevy.

And, as I assumed it would happen, Roan steps out, staring directly at me.

Oh crap. I knew it, but I'm still surprised. Why am I surprised? Did Henry tell him something?

He did, didn't he? And that's why he's not chasing me--he figured Roan could do it for him.

He probably left out some critical information regarding an SD card, though, but whatever.

Either way, I force myself to look ahead again, moving faster as I turn right onto the trail.

Déjà vu.

Running for my life, just like the day of the fire.

I make sure the SD card is still in my pocket before grabbing it and moving it to my coat pocket, where I can zip it up safely and securely.

The worst thing that could happen is that I could drop it in the snow and lose it forever, leaving no evidence at all.

Roan's shouts echo behind me as I dodge around trees, desperate to get within shouting distance from Vaughn.

It's only a matter of time before Roan catches up to me, really. While I did get somewhat of a headstart, I'm already feeling absolutely exhausted, and once the easy-to-run-on trail ends...

Then I'll be left with dodging more trees and deep snow, exactly like when I ran away.

I hate this parallel so much.

When I ran away in November, it made me look liable. Which, I was feeling guilty for running away with Fiona inside the house. But, it made me look like I actually started the fire.

As I run away from Roan now...if he knows who I am and what I've been accused of, then running away from him also makes me look guilty.

But, to be honest, I don't really care. I have my uncle's SD card, and I need to see what's on it. I can get arrested later.

The trail ends, so I veer to the left, proceeding to follow Vaughn and I's own separate little path that we take back and forth from the village to his cabin.

I'm struggling to breathe as my lungs burn more than they ever have before. I'm so out of breath, and I feel like crying, but as soon as I stop, Roan has a better chance of catching me.

He stopped calling my name a while ago, and so after making sure that I won't run into any trees within the next few moments, I glance behind me, curious as to where he's at.

He's running after me, still yards away, coming down the trail behind me.

I pause my running for a moment, knowing that if I keep going, I'll drop down into the snow and won't be able to put up any fight.

Breathe in deeply, breathe out quickly.

The way I see it, I have two opportunities to delay being dragged directly to the inevitable. One, I manage to get to Vaughn in time, and he helps me convince Roan to hold off bringing me in until we've viewed the SD card. Or two, maybe climb a tree and hold off Roan on my own until Vaughn comes through.

I'd prefer one, but honestly, two's better than not trying at all.

Taking off running again, I know he's closer to me now, but I still keep pushing forward. The break, even though it was incredibly way too short, allowed me to catch my breath for a second.

I've noticed I'm finding it somewhat easier to maneuver and run through the woods and snow, unlike that particular November day.

Maybe all the walking with Vaughn did pay off in some way other than toning my legs. Huh. Who would've thought?

"Eriksen!"

I ignore Roan, continuing to run through the dead looking forest.

There's a somewhat small but thick patch of evergreen trees coming up ahead, after which a couple of climbable trees exist.

Maybe I could do what Vaughn did the day I met him and disappear into thin air, aka a tree.

I highly doubt that Roan's any good at climbing trees, so maybe this could work.

"Eriksen, stop!"

Ignoring him again, I begin to formulate a plan. Why is he wasting his breath yelling at me to stop? If I was planning on staying to chit chat with him, I wouldn't be running away from him right now.

Maintaining my pace with stamina I never in a million years thought I had, I glance up quickly when I see a dark shape fly above me.

A raven.

I smile, hoping more than one shows up. Maybe then Vaughn would actually hurry it up a bit.

"Eriksen, stop running!"

Never!

Okay, maybe when I reach the trees, but not yet.

I've timed myself running a mile on the treadmill we had in Washington. 12 minutes. Maybe, since I've built up some endurance, I can run a bit faster. I doubt it, though.

Hearing the increased volume of someone running behind me, I glance after me for a split second. However, I don't have much time to react to seeing Roan right behind me before he's tackled me down to the ground.

My face hits the cold snow, and I cringe, trying to kick and push the man away from me.

Crap. It's gonna be neither one or two. I'm going to be dragged directly to the inevitable.

"Mikaere Lark Eriksen wanted for the murder of her adoptive mother...Fiona, was it?"

...Unless I can talk my way out of it.

But first, I think I'll try screaming and calling for Vaughn. He's usually waiting for me by sunrise, and sunrise was almost an hour ago.

So he should be close if anything.

As soon as Roan rolls me onto my back, I scream, even though we're both out of breath.

"Who're you screaming for?" He asks. "No one can hear you."

"Vaughn!" I yell as loud as I can as I'm yanked up to my feet. I glare at Roan.

"Oh, that's who." He laughs, "Yeah, I doubt he's coming."

He takes the bow from my hands before I can think of throwing it at his head.

I yell for Vaughn again, and Roan scoffs, grabbing my wrist and yanking me forward. "Come on."

I pull back with as much force as I can, hitting at his wrist. "No!"

He lets go, and I fall back into the snow, and he turns and towers over me.

I glare up at him, trying to formulate a plan.

But before I can do anything, though, I hear a familiar low, calm voice but with a new angry undertone say: "Get away from her."

A.N.// Okay! Just as a sort of heads up, there will be one last chapter before the epilogue. :)