The door slowly creaked open and I sat bolt upright, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and alert for danger. A figure clad in black stole quietly across the room towards us. I shook Alex and he awoke immediately and we watched the figure wearily, shuffling backwards as we did so.

"Look, we don't have much time," John whispered and mine and Alex's eyes widened, "in about five minutes, some men are going to charge in the building. Run away as fast as you can and meet me in the woods."

I nodded, still feeling quite sleep-drunk. Alex hauled me to my feet and we stumbled out of the cell.

Almost instantly, the sound of gunshots filled the air. A bullet whizzed over my head which woke me up real quick. I grabbed Alex's hand and ran towards where I hoped the exit was.

A man grabbed my arm and tried to stop us. Alex kneed him where the sun don't shine and punched his face. The man went down like a sack of potatoes and we continued running, never letting go of each other's hand. I noticed a door with a big sign stating 'EXIT' and made a beeline towards it.

The sky was a beautiful blue and the day was neither too hot nor too cold. About a hundred metres in front of us were a thick line of trees. I charged towards it, making doubly sure not to trip over this time.

I spotted two figures a little way off and we crept towards them, unsure if they were friend or foe. It turned out to be John and his sister.

"Hello," I said, "I'm Iris and this is Alex. I wish we could've met in better circumstances."

The girl had a small smile playing on her lips, "hi. I'm Rebecca. Call me Becky and I wish so too."

I turned to John, "why did you help us? I thought you hated me... you did abuse me for seven years."

"Say what?" Becky frowned and glared at John.

"Erm, I'm sorry about that," John grimaced, "it was wrong of me to do so, irrespective of whether your family was responsible for the fire. I know you won't forgive me, but hopefully saving your life makes up for it a little bit."

I shrugged, "let's make it out of here alive first and then we'll see."

"Why did you call us here?" Alex asked.

"Ah, right. If we go that way," John pointed behind him, "the people who helped orchestrate all this will get us out of here."

I nodded, "okay, what are we waiting for? Let's go before-"

Suddenly, bullets whizzed past us. Alex pulled me down behind a boulder and we peeked over the edge. John had pulled Becky down as well.

"Don't kill them!" Elise shrieked, "I can't torture dead bodies!" This lady is seriously messed up.

"Run!" Becky whisper-yelled. We didn't need to be told twice. Quicker than light, we dashed from behind the rock and sprinted at as fast we could.

Just as we reached the edge of the woods, I made the mistake of thinking 'we're going to make it!'

"There they are!" Elise screamed.

A bullet grazed my leg, making me stumble in shock. Alex was by my side in an instant. John and Becky had stopped a few feet away and were looking back anxiously.

"I'm fine," I gritted, getting to me feet, "go!"

"I'm not leaving you behind," Alex stated firmly, lifting me to my feet. We kept running, ducking and diving when the shots rang out.

"How can none of you hit four people?!" Elise screamed, "you're all stupid and dead if you don't catch them!!"

A blue van rolled up and the door slid open. I jumped in- not seeing who was in it. I flopped on the seat, panting. Alex collapsed next to me and was chuckling hysterically.

"Holy snickers I never thought I'd get out of there," Alex raised his head, eyes shining brightly.

I laughed breezily and turned to greet our saviours. Next to me, John was fussing over Becky's wounds while she tried futilely to convince him she was fine. Despite knowing he was the good guy, I kept my distance from John. I could never forgive him for what he did to me.

Looking up, I saw my saviours and my eyes widened and jaw dropped for a split second, before going back to normal.

It was Cole and James.

"Hey Iris," Cole waved.

"Hi Iris," James smiled.

"Um hi," I was slightly confused.

"Cole and James are the two people who help freed us," John elaborated, "yesterday, I contacted them and asked if they would help- considering they were probably the only ones who would be able to."

"What about my family?" I asked.

John shot me a wry smile, "do you really think they'd listen to me?"

"Fair point," I shrugged and looked at the two boys, "I guess I owe you one."

"Who was that crazy psycho lady screaming back there?" Cole asked.

I coolly raised an eyebrow, "my mother."

James coughed into his fist and Cole turned red. They're eyes widened and jaws dropped; I couldn't help but laugh at their reactions.

"My mother who kidnapped me and is a 'crazy psycho lady' who I thought was dead," I elucidated.

"Why did she kidnap you?" James asked.

"Personal reasons," I said vaguely, "where are we going?"

"You place," Cole replied, "then we'll take them," he jerked this thumb to Becky and John, "to one of our safe houses. Then, the two of us will part ways."

"Okay," I nodded, "by the way, meet me in three days at the library for our tutor session."

James sighed dejectedly, "I don't suppose there's any hope of us skipping that? Considering we did save your life and all?"

"Nope," I smiled brightly and the boys groaned.

I turned to Alex, "Jax is going to be so happy to see you. How are your bruises?"

Alex winced, "they hurt a bit... I'll be fine."

"You're lying," I stated, "and don't even bother denying it. You will have at least a week's of rest and then you me and Jax will spend some quality time together. Am I clear?"

"But-"

"Am I clear?" I cut in sternly. Becket snickered at Al's countenance.

"Yes Miss Rainbow," Alex said teasingly and I rolled my eyes, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face.

"Good," I laid my head in Alex's lap and he began playing with my hair, "I'm not loosing you again."

"And I'm not going to lose you either," Alex bent down and kissed my cheek, "sleep and I'll wake you up when we reach."

I closed my eyes and allowed the darkness to overcome me.