Hanna stood at the door at the top of the stairs, she could see it was unlocked but she hadn't opened it yet. Ethan was on the steps behind her, nervously wondering what she was doing. She put a finger over her mouth, signalling him to keep quiet.
Hanna pressed an ear to the door then pushed it open slowly to confirm what she already knew, there were no other gang members around. She assessed the small room in an instant , glancing from the table and chairs in the centre to the drawers and cabinets on her left, before checking the two other doors.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VH8m2fg50
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaivOETe4F
Satisfied they were alone for the moment, she turned her attention to the table in the other corner, piled high with assorted items. She found her clothes, thrown on top, and quickly dressed before starting to search the room.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa5amBBBdr
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YYDj6cIvu
Ethan followed her into the room hesitantly, closing the door behind him. Hanna silently pointed out at the table in the corner to him and Ethan started looking through the pile as she continued her search. He found the rest of his clothing then kept searching for his bag .172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh65P3wqW1
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VJAqIQ3Zt
Hanna checked the drawers and cabinets for anything useful. Unfortunately, it seemed like these criminals were smart enough not to leave guns lying around but she found another knife, which she took. She didn't favour the idea of going up against their captors with only two small knives, but her first preference was not to fight at all.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fCvUMEYUx
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqj6LX4ZXw
Ethan frowned as he looked through his bag, it had evidently been searched. The one thing he needed was missing. He slung the bag from the table over his shoulder and started searching the room.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSQ7HwuEnn
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhRNwosFJQ
"We need to go," Hanna whispered to him urgently.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej95hhzFph
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCfPgbzicb
Ethan looked like he wanted to protest, but he nodded and followed her. He followed her through one of the doors into a long corridor, with various doors interspersed on either side. Hanna headed right to the end and listened at the door. She heard voices, getting louder. She resisted the urge to curse, they were coming towards this door.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAgHKDyxqQ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzsneHaEOw
Hanna tried to use hand signals to tell Ethan to hide but he just looked confused. She sile ntly huffed in frustration and pulled him through the side door closest to them, which seemed to be some kind of storage area filled with crates and drums.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4pF5Q9iEC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsJeZyxY1y
"Hide," Hanna whispered to him urgently. He ducked behind one of the large crates while Hanna positioned herself beside the door, ready to attack with the knife if someone came through.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag3uPgzorY
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9y0tQJ0MP
She heard footsteps behind the door and held her breath.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm14TTzd2t
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N7z5JvvXs
The footsteps stopped. Then started again. The sounds were becoming fainter now. She exhaled silently in relief. She heard the opening and closing of a door.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ691EjEaxEj
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnd3swwo4z
She opened the door a crack to peek out into the hall, the coast was clear now. She waited a second just to be sure, but all she could hear was her own steady breathing and Ethan's more anxious breaths behind her.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWOJCr8H3k
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTUdzL1LZC
"It's clear. Come on," Hanna whispered to Ethan.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrdJl42qYg
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6JmVMAKE
Hanna went back to the door at the end of the hall, approaching cautiously as Ethan hovered over her shoulder.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZW276YOMr
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4dKlGTzBi
"Stay back," Hanna whispered, holding the knife at the ready, and Ethan took a step back.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOybpTw3Ca
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30JfPdrSnK
As she cracked open the door, Hanna felt a cold breeze brush past her face, tinged with the scent of dead flesh. She peeked inside and saw a body on the metal table. Or rather, the majority of a body. She knew what this room was. She'd been in many like it before. She froze, her breath stuck in her throat.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn8WjfxAM3
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW1PJeH6to
"What is it?" Ethan whispered from behind her.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkdqqgCX2D
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V7ezEe2eu
His voice almost startled her as it crashed through her train of thought, but she forced herself to stay calm and collected. She didn't want him to see that. She refocused, there weren't any other exits in that room. They'd have to find another way out. "We can't go that way."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsWiBF1tZN
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvBMZtxoFJ
"Why not?" Ethan asked in a whisper.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVNq4h92wh
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHJwhRlfUQ
"No time, just go," Hanna said hurriedly, pushing him in the other direction. He followed as she cracked open a third door in the hall, which led to a small loading area. Meaning there would be an exit to the road. They'd almost made it out. She saw the exterior door, behind some drums, and started to cross the room quickly but stopped unexpectedly, almost causing Ethan to slam into her.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgHTDKFhfP
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfQ67P0CTK
"Wait here. There's something I need to do," Hanna spoke at her normal volume.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZyBkLgnpA
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L7Uk8xmn1
Ethan looked from Hanna to the door, their escape route. "What could possibly be more important-" Ethan started, but then noticed she had already vanished. "Guess I'll wait here then," he muttered to himself.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRlQBULKqC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxyXvnbLmS
He stood there awkwardly, unsure about what to do, watching the door they'd come through. He cracked open the exterior door and saw a parking lot with a few cars and a van. He could just... leave. She'd been crazy enough to head back in. He didn't have to sit around and get caught with her.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1bYachn4e
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyMNXdPfiV
Ethan glanced back at the door to the hallway uncertainly. He noticed some car keys hanging conveniently on a hook next to the door and he grabbed them. This was probably the keys to one of the cars out there. At least this meant they’d have a quick getaway.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFcNCUEpyg
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyFBkhlVs
Ethan waited, shifting uncertainly, trying to ignore his painful ankle. He decided to give her a few minutes. He owed her at least that much.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPCBIr81KC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEdcpd1Lg4
It wasn't long before he smelled something odd. Then she reappeared right away, rushing through the door.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDhSpOhWBM
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zlXOyP0FE
"Done, we're leaving!" Hanna shouted, racing towards the exit.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG9KXpbDzH
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByXHtvfGdn
That was all the encouragement he needed. Ethan went out the exit and tried the keys on the van next to the door. Luckily, they were then right keys. He quickly got in the drivers seat and started the vehicle. He looked up to see Hanna busy was trying to jam the exterior door shut with a piece of scrap pipe.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66mAmKJuKM
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmmeHAEPI8
"We need to go!" Ethan called to her.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qfJuvx66S
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWynR6blF3K
"Dammit," Hanna muttered, abandoning her task to rush around and climb in the passenger side.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIMSir4vFu
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLSjwuwIUX
Ethan started driving immediately, ignoring the pain in his leg from the motion, with no destination in mind at the moment.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7infZFkhlZ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9bDwfs7y5
"Sweet. I didn't know you knew how to steal a car," Hanna commented with a grin.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu9IVDrzt4
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggBzoyrLUu
Ethan looked at her like she was crazy. "I don't. I found the keys."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCT7PwKqZD
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb07UrKrbH
"Oh, well, still nice work," Hanna remarked.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4BfFeSJG7
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQgRYhwnWp
Ethan kept his eyes on the road, trying to ignore the growing headache sitting in the back of his mind along with the rest of his injuries. Now, farther from the building, he could see a growing fire consuming the building in the rear view mirror.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtM7eeP3HC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7yPVo41fw
"Did you start that fire?" Ethan asked accusingly, fearing he already knew the answer.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSXNLYq77o
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDdlJaigmX
"I wasn't going to let them keep killing people," Hanna exclaimed angrily. The was half true. She wasn't going to leave tracks for the Crimson Keys, or worse, her family, to find. She crossed her arms and looked out the window.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaCJ1MdAhL
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kwfZih55S
"What if there were other people trapped in there?!" Ethan protested.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZsO14wJT5
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblGIfHxq58
Hanna let out a tired sigh then looked at him sadly. "I assure you, there were no other prisoners in there."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl7Xt1UPXW
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolI00BzPwU
"How do you know?" Ethan asked, thrown off balance by her tone.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBqJbvptJc
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZVyOidQ6C
"Just trust me," Hanna answered. "We need to get somewhere safe."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwQaU75VU5
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0bKVAHR3j
Ethan could see a sad look in her eyes and bit his tongue, letting the matter drop for now. "I know where to go."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPH4qDECq9
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFNsavjdCY
"Good, we need to switch cars. We can take mine, it's parked nearby." Hanna directed him to the parking lot and he parked beside her car.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y9GHgWSu8
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfazpifDAMs
Hanna jumped out of the van, then reached under the car and pulled out the keys. She was in high spirits, meanwhile, Ethan was beginning to feel the strain of his injuries catching up to him.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrkBSZOT2G
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gnJWdXMyD
Ethan let his forehead rest against the top of the steering wheel for a minute. "Can you drive?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviyfJO9beb
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEzTygKUQU
"Sure, no problem," Hanna answered in the middle of searching her car.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtyQVfPxJg
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyxYgvDhza
Ethan could feel the adrenaline leaving his system as he got out of the van and into the passenger seat of Hanna's car. Hanna, finally managing to find the first aid kit, pulled it out of the trunk. She brought it around and set it down on the ground.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kZW9SHpBv
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQhjH77LOL
"That ankle needs bandaging," Hanna remarked as she went to pull down his sock to look at it.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMbVHLCmbL
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzWFAIvTBW
Ethan hadn't noticed his sock was soaked with blood. His makeshift bandage had been very... makeshift. He did want her help but he was more worried about what her touching him would start. Even her being this close was difficult.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1YxHZTMIC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi6Z97VRpW
"No, don't touch me," Ethan said quickly, forcefulness lacing his voice. Hanna pulled back instantly, looking at him with concern. "You drive, I'll do it." It would be less risky for him to do it on his own and he was done with risky things for today.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxMc8r2nTE
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR0mWBvelC
Hanna nodded and handed him the first aid kit before getting in the drivers seat. She started driving immediately, to get farther away from the fire and hopefully discourage any pursuers. "Where are we going?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24tf6mmXMw
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZgdKALaKa
"North. Out of the city," Ethan answered confidently.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20Bg2DBxM4
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo84cJb2cdJ
Hanna changed direction. "Make sure you eat and drink something. There's stuff in the glove compartment. It'll help with the blood loss."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiyt0DBqbZ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjKII5p8M6
Ethan found the water bottles and power bars Hanna had stashed in there. He dug in, feeling truly hungry for the first time in days. After devouring a couple power bars, he decided to look back though his bag. He tipped the sleeping pills out into his hand.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4C49ANwaQ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPOQWu9WIT
Ethan looked at the pale pills in his hand, hesitating. He glanced over at Hanna. There was no doubt in his mind that he wouldn't be able to stand the whole trip with her sitting next to him. Yet, he couldn't think of a worse time to knock himself out. He had no idea what might happen while he was asleep. If they'd be followed or any other problems might come up.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyCdJOYhjO
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvPaoTtALW
He took a deep breath. Staying awake through this would be torture. Falling asleep could be dangerous. He closed his eyes and decided he'd have to trust her to get them there.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZvbsF7aTB
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA39q8Vfto0
Hanna saw Ethan taking a bunch of pills and washing them down with half a water bottle, also observing the pill bottle was empty. "What's that?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1MYNo2q5Z
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoggAQOm1xf
"Something to help me sleep through this ride," Ethan answered before downing the rest of the water bottle.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNfY4ydyEx
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUeeIpccek
Hanna was surprised he hadn't fallen asleep already given how exhausted he appeared.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeQszoiJiv
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasFsxFWG0q
"Do you have something to write with?" Ethan asked, looking around the vehicle.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHa8nq69F
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F4HEfyqZ9
"Check the glove compartment," Hanna answered without taking her eyes off the road.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1B8zAaiku
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZK9yrwBcZ
Ethan found a notepad and pen then scribbled something down quickly. "This is the address." He handed her a slip of paper. It had an address with another number underneath.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qh5GDeGd4
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOKSzwDQIV
Hanna took the paper, keeping her other hand on the wheel and glanced at it. "This is far. You're sure it's secure?" She placed it in the cup holder.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxBDEFxwqV
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQIuA0ebao
"Yes. No one will find us there." Ethan set to fixing up his ankle, it was good he had something to keep his mind occupied. The pain from cleaning it had helped push any thoughts of sex to the back of his mind.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uVHc9BUIN
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCwB5XaSSx
Hanna glanced at him taping up the ankle. "Can you heal that like you did my bruises?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9shrhO9Fh
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgZmBLpIPW
"What are you talking about?" Ethan asked, his voice slightly lacking sincerity.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqcW3HxFul
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgkeIClUzj
Hanna suspected he knew exactly what she was talking about. "When I woke up down there, I had some bad bruises but they were gone by the time we left. I assumed you did something to heal them."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYfkStuwrm
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAznAxiLZGa
"I don't think so, maybe they weren't as bad as you thought?" Ethan suggested, responding quickly.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcxew9lOTg
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzA9wsu5DF
"Maybe," Hanna mused, still unconvinced.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0cv03Hcuz
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL43f7hhcR
Ethan changed the topic, he could feel the medication beginning to work. "How did you learn how to do that?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQDl9QVgy0
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xL0f8Dwev
"Do what?" Hanna asked, a slight smile passing her lips. "I've done a lot of things today."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux6539LTxk
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNANihzKlnX
"Fight," Ethan answered dryly. He resisted the urge to say 'murder'.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4mGsi0xrb
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEagZqC8uWe
The smile disappeared, replaced with a much more serious expression. Hanna paused for a moment before answering. "I've been in fighting classes since I was a kid. Having a weapon is easier." She tried to give him a reassuring, nonthreatening smile. "It also helps to be very, very lucky."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL03DkiilST
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH58sy8bqJF
"I guess that makes sense," Ethan replied lazily, like he wasn't paying attention to the conversation he started.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pety8MSOi
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAOK9dww0s
"I have a gun in the car too," Hanna revealed calmly. "But I'd prefer not to use it." She glanced to the rear view mirror. "I don't think anyone is going to follow us."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ZgQeIJ27
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyed5ygsDeq
"Do you know how to use it?" Ethan asked sleepily.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7OWREpYJ7
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OL8N01WSh
"Of course, I wouldn't have it otherwise," Hanna answered dryly.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmpJgZEI2h
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPQ0XWgEHI
"Makes sense." Ethan adjusted to a more comfortable position in his seat.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuGapXqMuS
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjokgpkNFO
Hanna took a deep breath. She had questions she needed him to answer before he passed out. Small talk time was over. "Do you want me to call Alice?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR91OUehL2p
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BvryLIhbk
Ethan was suddenly more alert. "No," he replied firmly, without needing to think about it.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjeZWxcP2d
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcU2T7Lp6H
That answer took Hanna by complete surprise. She'd expected him to at least consider asking for help from his ex-girlfriend. Her stomach dropped, realizing this was just another thing that she'd screwed up. "I'd explain what happened, I'm sure she'd help you-"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK16KL8NWq
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTQuqWytPt
"She wouldn't," Ethan interrupted.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTogWM4Rb7
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlpdeL8Oeh
"You wouldn't prefer to have someone you know well with you for this?" Hanna asked. She waited for him to respond but he just sat there, staring out the window. She bit her lip nervously. "You two broke up, it wasn't even cheating. Plus it was in the middle of heat too, she can't get too upset over it."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWBtJOniBM
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHfZqYmloz
Ethan exhaled slowly. "She doesn't know I'm Charax."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhQRnWwGDQ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOzvxyxn3S
"You could tell her?" Hanna suggested reluctantly, trying to hide her own disdain for the idea.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqke7z075Wy
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH7lYJbglI
Ethan shook his head adamantly. "She doesn't know and it needs to stay that way."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAds9YeaVk8
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzGVehffKM
"She might... understand." Hanna wanted to at least given him the option. Maybe we could share, Hanna thought. She shook the thought of a threesome out of her head, this was a bad time for that sort of idea.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyYCXBEg41
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjxCGRlIAy
Ethan sighed, resting his elbow on the passenger door. "You don't know her. I wouldn't use the term 'understanding' to describe her."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5ZOkGfgfT
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZlTNYuE3J
Hanna didn't know Alice that well, personally, but she'd dug up enough information on the older woman that she felt like she knew Alice. Maybe there was something she didn't know, it seemed odd that he'd reject his old girlfriend so easily. "But-"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTujm6uk4LK
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8t0y1S9zg
Ethan cut her off before she could even get started. "You don't get it. We broke up because I knew the heat was coming on. She would have freaked out when I wouldn't have been able to hide it from her."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx19uAFVIro
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrKCcC0jUz
"You won't know until you talk to her," Hanna stated hesitantly. You aren't sabotaging yourself, you're just giving him a choice, she thought in a poor attempt to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6t4cafwCo
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1zdiRTD2Y
Ethan scowled. "I'm not going to bet my life on that. On her."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpty74CGtvF
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBd8XqNuE7
"You're sure?" Hanna asked softly.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDi87OhAAR
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Yl8uInPe
"Yes. Just drop it," Ethan replied confidently.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpmAVx0nos
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65We1jBfDm
"You'd rather have me?" Hanna asked in a small voice.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ28or8zgEz
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU1PsErA8J
Ethan turned to look out the side window, not paying attention to the passing streetlights. "You knew what you were getting into."172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0AaBpcQeT
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KPRqmzLNa
Not much of a yes, Hanna thought uncomfortably.
Ethan rubbed his temple. "I'm falling asleep, if this is a problem can we talk about this later?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TorVZZzjJ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNVO2iBuiZ
"Uh, sure," Hanna agreed tentatively.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dSIamLfsw
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdSkqeBkfR
"Don't call anyone, don't tell anyone. Please just go here to this address and wake me up when we get there," Ethan told her, still facing the side window.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjvfMSVKka
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCwjmFipH9
"Okay." Hanna started driving silently.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYeriQXo0X
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceQlwQe4O7
After a few minutes, Hanna noticed Ethan still wasn't asleep. He actually seemed to be getting more agitated. Didn't he just take a handful of sleeping pills? Hanna wondered.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJgVgP4wiC
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH9wS8JXqm
A while later, Hanna noticed his nervous fidgeting. "Everything alright?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2QvALOnET
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqIUru9GuP
"No," Ethan answered irritably.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIyQDqDMRe
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDrTqlYBdz
Hanna glanced at home with concern. "Do you need me to stop?"172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7yKTOySKM
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p1OkPNax4
"What I need is for these drugs to kick in," Ethan said irritably, leaning his head back and pinching the bridge of his nose. It was difficult to ignore her presence now. The confined space didn't help either.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnYSHDZb4d
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmSoNLerUs
Hanna glanced over at him quickly before turning her eyes back to the road. She wasn't keen on stopping in the middle of the trip for sex. She'd noticed how he looked... troubled even though they'd only been driving for half an hour. So she supposed it was a good thing he would be sleeping through the rest of the trip.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH70meqkxh1
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnFnbiGiQ3
Quickly enough after that, he fell into a deep sleep. His head was turned away from her but she could see the steady rise and fall of his chest. She thought he looked five years younger already, despite the bruises peeking out from under his clothing. Those reminded her that his recovery wasn't going to be as easy as a good night's sleep, in contrast to her own, given she felt almost completely healed.172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2PNkuzVXJ
172Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSQt1smxi4
She hadn't noticed the wheel drifting as she had been looked at him. She suddenly jerked it back so they were driving straight again. Eyes on the road, she thought to herself. She doubled back and made some random turns before finally plugging the address into the GPS.
