Chapter 30: Chapter 30

I'm sitting on a desk chair, facing the library door, unable to control my nerves. My leg repeatedly bounces up and down in anticipation. I glance around the room, feeling grateful that it’s almost empty.

Two people are sat at desks, their heads buried in books and homework. The librarian is sat behind her desk, tapping away at her keyboard. Every so often, she'd peer over her reading glasses at me suspiciously. I avoid her intense gaze and pretend to flip through the world map book I'm holding whilst keeping my eye on the door. I need to know the second Jake and Tobias set foot inside the library.

I have way too many questions to ask both of them.

I flick the pages over, debating whether I should try and call Jake again. The door suddenly pushes open and I suck in a breath, unable to contain my reaction. I sigh in disappointment as an old lady pushing her walking frame shuffled inside the library, the door slamming behind her. I push myself off the chair and waltz up to her, smiling softly.

"Would you like any help?" I ask noticing she's struggling to walk up the few steps into the library. She nods immediately, her eyes lighting up brightly —

"Yes please dear."

I lean forward and hold her hand in mine, supporting her as she slowly steps up the stairs. I give her a warm smile before grabbing her walking frame and placing it in front of her to grab hold of.

"Thank you ever so much," she smiles widely at me, her small cheeks puffing up. I grin back at her, feeling better for taking the time out to help.

"You're welcome, have a great day." I respond before walking away and taking a seat back in the same office chair.

Where the hell are Jake and Tobias?

I spin around in the chair, the library whizzing past me as I attempt to kill some time.

"Muffin!" A voice hisses out and I scrape my trainers into the carpet, stopping myself abruptly. My head spins with dizziness but I narrow my eyes, glancing at the library door. Did I hear that right?

The door hasn’t opened… I’ve been watching it this entire time. Huh, Maybe I am hearing things.

"Psst! Emily!"

My head shoots to the right and I narrow my eyes, making out two shadowed figures hiding in the bookshelves. One of them motions for me to come towards them and my eyes widen as I realise it's Jake and Tobias. I jump off the chair, slightly stumbling over my own feet. I briskly walk over to them, pretending to search for a book —

"How the hell did you two get in here?" I ask, dropping down to the floor and shuffling towards them. Both of them are wearing dark jumpers, their denim jeans covered in dirt. Jake's eyes are drawn in and Tobias looks like a walking zombie, his eyes bloodshot. They both look like they fought in World war three last night.

"You didn't seriously think we'd come through the front door?" Jake scoffs, pulling me towards him by my hoody. He leans down, brushing his lips against mine gently.

“I missed you," he whispers against my lips. I close my eyes, inhaling his scent.

"I missed you too," I murmur, reaching up and tugging at the back of his neck to bring him down for another kiss. My lips melt against his as he presses them against for the second time —

"Seriously? We're on the run from the police and you're currently making out with your girlfriend on the floor of a public library?" Tobias grumbles, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Classy." He adds, sounding bitter. I pull back and frown at him.

"Shut up Tobias."

"Yeah, shut up Tobias." Jake repeats my words, slapping Tobias' leg lightly.

"Have the police left yet?" Jake asks, turning to me. I shake my head in response —

"No, I escaped because they wanted me to go down to the police station to make a statement. I can't make a statement if I don't know what to say yet." I state, crossing my legs over as I get comfortable on the floor.

All three of us look like school kids huddled tightly together to study. Beside from the fact Jake and Tobias are actually grown men wanted by the police for a murder.

"You escaped?" Jake questions. I nod —

"I jumped out of Ivory's window," I tell him casually, grinning in pride. Tobias' eyebrow shoot up in surprise and Jake's frown deepens —

"You're pregnant Emily."

"The baby is fine, I promise. It was an easy jump, I tucked and rolled for a soft landing." I reassure him. He nods slowly before raising his hand. I grin and slap my palm against his —

"That's my girl but you need to take it easy Muffin."

"I know Jake, it won't happen again." I respond, giving his hand a small squeeze. A silence falls upon us and I know it's time to question both of them.

"So what happened?" I ask, my eyes flickering between Jake and Tobias. I notice the pair of them exchange nervous glances at each other and Tobias remains more silent than usual.

"Where do you want us to start?" Jake asks me quietly. A shiver runs down my back in fear as I swallow the lump lodged deep in my throat. An uneasy thought niggles in the back of my mind that I won't like what the two of them are about to tell me.

Regardless of what the truth is, Jake is the father of my baby and I need to know the truth. I breathe in sharply, mentally preparing myself —

"Start from the beginning."