Escaped

Chapter 9

Escaped: Chapter 9

Forty-two minutes. According to the clock on the dashboard, that's how long it took for the small blue Dodge Avenger to pull into the "Jim & Pam's gas-n-go" parking lot.

The driver's door opened and I saw Perrie climb out.
Three more people got out of the small car, two guys who were laughing hysterically and a small brunette girl who was rolling her eyes but smiling.

Zayn got out of the seat next to me and embraced Perrie into a tight hug, spinning her around, lifting her off her feet. She giggle and clung to him until he placed her back on the ground. They stood there, staring into each other's eyes as if, for just a minute, they were the only two people in the world.

It was actually quite sweet.

Until the other two guys leaned against the car, pretending to puke their guts out.
"Alright, alright boys, that's enough," the girl, who I assumed was Eleanor, laughed.

Liam and Niall also got out of the car and Liam motioned for me to do the same.
Perrie walked over and hugged both of them and everybody kind of just took a minute to greet and embrace each other. For a second they all just looked like normal friends.

'But they're still kidnapping psychopaths,' I remembered.

"Who's this?" One of the guys asked, looking at me.

Niall pulled me over to the group by my wrist.

"This, everybody," he said, "is Charlotte Hale."

"Hale? Like the warden? The one who-"

Niall nodded.

"Geez," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

I looked at him, confused.

"Oh, she doesn't know?" He asked.

Liam shook his head and said, "Let's leave it like that, too."

The guy nodded and reached a hand out to me.

"I'm Louis," he said.

I looked at him, then at his hand, then back at him.

"C'mon. I don't bite," he said cheekily.

'What can it hurt?' I thought.

I reached out and shook his hand.

"There we go," he laughed.

A smile tugged at my lips.

Eleanor walked over to us.

"Hi," she chirped.

"Hi," I said, proud of myself for actually saying something.

"I'm Eleanor, that over there," she motioned to the only unnamed guy in the group, "is Harry, and this is Perrie."

The blonde approached us with a smile on her face.

"I'm Charlotte," I said.

"I know," Perrie giggled.

"Alright guys," Zayn called out. "We don't have all day do we?"

"You're right," Liam said. "Why don't you take Perrie, Harry and the girl? I'm getting sick of her."
Wow. I'm not too fond of you either.
"El and Louis can ride with us."

Zayn nodded and everyone began climbing back into the two cars.

I followed Harry into the back of the Avenger.