Runaway: part four.

Day 4

I wake up and instantly feel the large mass of warmth beside me, his arms wrapped around my stomach. I snuggle closer to the person and I sigh, feeling content. I start to replay what happened yesterday in my mind.

-

I gasped and lunged towards the shadow; throwing my arms around a still chuckling Max.

"Max!" I don't know why, but I started to cry. Being in this cave by myself, even if it has been a few days so far, really is making me emotional. I guess I was just glad to see him. My cries turned into full out sobs.

"Hey. Hey, it's ok," Max cooed in my ear, rubbing his hand in circles on my back.

My cries became softer, and before I knew it, my eyes became dry. Max noticed and went to remove himself from my embrace, but I tightened my arms around him.

"Well, if I knew you missed me so much, I would've come earlier," he laughed. His face turned serious. "You have everyone worried, Ally. Even you're parents."

I scoffed, "Please, my parents don't care. They're away for business all the time and when they are home, they only check to make sure Paul and me are fed."

"You'd be surprised. When the power came back on, Paul searched everywhere for you. He called your friends too, but they said they had no idea where you were. Eventually, when Paul realized you weren't coming home, he called your mom and dad. Sure, they said they couldn't make it home at the moment, but they sounded really worried."

I shrugged. In a small voice, I said, "Did you think to call the police?"

"Oh believe me, Paul was frantic. He was about ready to call the Army or something." He gave me a pointed look. "He may not act like it all the time, but Paul really cares about you."

I stared at my hands sitting in my lap. "I know," I said softly.

Max placed his finger under my chin and raised my head so I would look at him.

"I told him it wasn't necessary. That I knew you were fine," he said.

"Why?" I questioned.  "Why find me now?"

"At first, I didn't know where to look. I checked the park, a few of your friends' houses, and even to the school! Oh, you are so lucky we are on break. I wouldn't even want to have to do the catch up work you'd have. Anyway, I remember you mentioning something about a cave at Lighthouse Cay and I began searching yesterday. I looked up and down the beach for hours before finally realizing I was looking in the wrong place." He shrugged. "I found the cave and you lying at the entrance. I carried you back here this afternoon."

I gave him a questioning look.

He chuckled, "You weren't that heavy."

I tried to fight it, but I let out a big yawn. I looked towards the cave entrance and see that it's dark out.

"Should your mom be worried that you're not home yet?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Told her I was staying at a friend's house. Now," He put his hands on my shoulders and moved me so that my head lay in his lap. "You should get some sleep. I can tell you're tired."

I smiled gratefully and began to drift off. The feel of Max running his fingers through my hair was the last thing I noticed before I was out like a light.