A Life for A Life

*Caitlyn’s POV*

Two weeks of hiding was not covering my case at all. I was supposed to be running, and I knew with each passing day, my face was getting more and more publicized and my parents were getting more and more desperate to find me. I had to do something soon, if I didn’t, I knew if they even laid an eye on me, I would be dead. I didn’t want that. I needed a chance, some kind of chance to make sure I could stay alive and work up some kind a deal.

But I needed someone from the inside I could talk to. Someone I know will get the job done.

I knew it was the middle of the night and the bus was not moving. The boys were sound asleep, even the driver, while staying at a pit stop off the interstate. If there was ever a chance to use a phone, it would be now. Only I would have to use a payphone, not a cell. Cells were too easy to track down.

But to use a payphone I would need some money. I unlocked the latch quietly from where I was laying, quickly and quietly pulling myself out and landing on the floor. I was between the bunks that held six beds, all which were taken by the boys and the driver. I moved to the middle bunk on my right. I could see Louis’s face sleeping, the pale glowing brightly against the moon’s shine.

I reached up slowly, placing my hand close to where his face was. I knew what would wake him up quickly, but I had to be quiet and not wake the others. I closed my hand over his mouth and pinching his nose shut. Cutting off Louis’s air supply made his eyes suddenly pop open. He reached up, trying to pry my arm away. I held his chest down to keep him from shooting out of bed and trying anything. “Relax.” I whispered. “It’s just me.”

His eyes met my own. His tensed body seemed to relax some. The grip on my arm disappeared as he pulled away. I dropped my hand and he took in deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. “What in the hell were you thinking?” He hissed at me.

I brought a hand up to my lips, indicating for him to be quiet. He pursed his lips, waiting on me to say what I wanted. “I need some change.” I said. “I’m going to use the payphone.”

“What… why?” He asked, face coming up into confusion.

“Don’t worry about it.” I said, looking around me, making sure the boys were still asleep.

He stared me down, and I did the same to him. He let out a breath, wanting to know what I was up to even though I refused to tell him. “Fine, but whatever you are doing, I want to come with you.”

I clenched my jaw. He wasn’t going to make this easy for me. “Lou…”

“I have the money, and you don’t need to be outside alone.” He reasoned.

I sighed out of annoyance. “Fine. Just don’t wake the others.”

He brushed the covers off of him, raising up to stand. I started walking and he was right behind me. That was when I heard it, the brush of covers of someone restless. I stopped and Louis almost ran into me. He stopped right behind me. I reached back, indicating him not to move.

“Lou? Where are you going?” I heard someone ask groggily.

I think with the course of events that has happened in the past few weeks, Louis managed to come up with some pretty good… excuses. “I’m going to go get something to drink at the vending machines. I’ll be right back.”

“Mmm…” I heard the blond say. “Mind bringing me back a snack?”

I could practically hear Louis rolling his eyes. “Yeah, man. Go back to sleep.”

“Thanks…”

Silence followed afterward. I already knew about Niall and his hunger spasms, but I think he was more sleep-conversing than anything. I started walking once I knew we were safe. Louis made sure to stay behind me, making sure the rest of the bus’s occupants can’t see me.

We were finally outside. “I don’t have any spare change.” Louis said. “Let’s head to the vending machines so I can get some.”

I nodded, following him as he led the way. He stuck a five dollar bill into the machine, pushing in some numbers letting a candy bar fall down. He reached in, pulling out a Snickers bar and putting it in his pocket. The sound of change falling could be heard as we waited for the change to stop.

Louis reached in, pulling out more than four dollars in change. “This enough?” He asked, holding the change out.

“Plenty.” I stated, taking the change, knowing full well I wouldn’t need more than a dollar if anything.

He led me to the payphone. “When I make this call…” I said, sticking the first quarter in. “Don’t you dare say a word, you hear me?”

Louis nodded. He very well understood. He leaned against the side of the boxed phone, watching me silently.

I started to dial a very well memorized number, only which few people had access too.

“Please enter the password.” An automated voice said.

I typed in the ten digit password, the phone beginning to ring. I heard the sound of someone answering, but no words of welcome. It was my chance, my only chance, to get the answers I needed. Because I knew if I didn’t do something now, my life would be nothing but being on the run and I knew I couldn’t run forever. And I knew that soon, they would be connecting Louis and perhaps even the other four boys with myself, causing them to be in danger.

I had to make my move. I had to make this stop.