Flight AmericaxReader/Earhart Part 9

You and Alfred spent a lot of time together ever since that night. He hasn't kissed you since. You weren't complaining too much. You were really okay with being together without having to act like couples normally did. As always, you'd go over to his home every morning, then go back to your own every afternoon. Sometimes Ashley would be there, sometimes not. You found it easier to see her in your house with each day. You still didn't like her, but you didn't storm off as much. She always smiled at you warmly. You always responded with a snide remark or rolling your eyes. Lately, however, you found yourself able to talk to her without yelling.

So that brings you to today. You lean your board against the front door, behind some bushes, and enter. Ashley and your father are once again in the living room, talking and laughing. You walk in, and Ashley and your father beam at you.

"(Name)?" Your father asks excitedly. "Come here for a moment."

You raise an eyebrow, but shrug and enter the room. Your father gestures for you to take a seat, which you obey. Mostly because you were exhausted after working on Glade earlier after leaving Alfred's.

Your father and Ashley exchange delighted looks. "(Name), Ashley and I, are getting married." he announces.

You stare at him numbly. "You're... what?" you breathe, hoping against hope you misheard.

Ashley holds out her hand, on which sparkles a diamond ring. "I'm going to be your new step-mom!" she giggles. St-step... mom?

You're not sure what to feel. You run through the names of possible emotions in your head, trying to sort it all out. Happy? No, why should I be?! Sad? Not quite. Angry? Yes... angry. It's rather broad, but I can pick out the details later. Finding your answer, you scowl at your father and his... you can't bring yourself to say it. "And you didn't say a word to me about it before?! You just assumed I'd go along with this?! Huh?!?!" Without giving them a moment to respond, you dash up to your room, hot, furious tears streaming down your face.

You climb the stairs at break-neck speed and slam the door behind you. Your breath comes gasping, though you don't care enough to calm. How dare they?! So close... I had been so close! I tasted freedom! And now... I'm reminded of how much a prisoner I really am! What do I do? Freedom... Freedom! You don't even have the will to crawl to your bed, so you simply fall to your knees and weep, cursing your father, mother, Ashley, and everyone else with each shaky breath. But not Alfred, or Toris. No. They... gave me freedom... They haven't hurt me... Ah! That's what I'll do! With a determined air about yourself, you push yourself off from the floor and stumble blindly into your closet, pulling out a bag and that stash of granola bars you hid up here when you felt to lazy to go downstairs for food. You empty the stash into the front pocket of the bag, then grab a shirt and two pairs of jeans from your clothes pile. Gradually, you fill the bag with everything you think you'll need. The last thing is the money you stored away under your mattress over the years. You knew you'd need it eventually, and you were right. You tuck that into your pocket, a good hundred or more, and wait. Your door is locked, and they knew better than to come up here when you get like this. You merely look out the window, waiting until nightfall, and dreaming of your freedom.

~~~Time Skip~~~

At last, the moon is now far overhead, and you can leave. You open the window of your second story room, and toss out the fire ladder, securing it in place so as it won't fall. You sling the bag over your shoulder, and begin your descent to freedom. Your hands tremble and you nearly miss a step or two out of anticipation and... worry? If they were to catch me... No. I know what I'm doing. They won't find me.

The emotions are too much, and you slip on a rung, but only fall three feet. The jolt is enough to get you to focus again, so you quickly pick yourself up and continue. Your board it right where you left it those hours ago, though it's slightly difficult to get it without rustling the leaves too much. Finally wrestling it free from a stubborn branch, you hop on and push off, leaving your home behind. Free. Free. Free.

You can't see very far in the dark, but you've traveled this route so many times in light, that isn't a problem. The large shadows of Alfred's mansion loom ominously before you, but you keep going. No lights are on, so you figure they must be asleep. Makes sense. Any sensible person would be You turn sharply into the cobbled driveway, almost forgetting it's there. The wheels bounce a bit more than you anticipated, so you hop off quickly and walk on unsteady legs the rest of the way. You mount the steps to his front door and knock loudly. A single light comes on, and you hear confused movement. The door clicks, and a very tired looking Lithuania opens it, dressed in yellow, green, and red pajamas, blinking sleepily.

"(N -Name)?" he yawns. "What're you-?" You cut him off by hugging him tightly, letting the well-concealed tears flow again.

"Toris! I- I ran away! I just couldn't take it anymore!" you cry.

Lithuania hugs you back awkwardly, rather dazed, but trying to calm you down nonetheless. More lights flip on and America enters, himself wearing a version of the stars and stripes. "(Name)? What are you doing here?" he asks.

"I couldn't take it! Everything's wrong!"

America says nothing, just takes your hand. You follow him into a rather impressive den, where he motions for you to sit on a sofa. "Tell me what happened." he demands, kindly, but sternly.

You shake your head. "I... I just... can't... Don't send me back. Please. Don't send me back to be a captive."

America sits in a large chair across from you, gazing out the window, as if trying to decipher your words. "(Name), I... I don't know what I should do."