The three of us slump into the nearest seats, and my legs tremble with exhaustion. Reece sits next to me and Crystal sits opposite, allowing me to study both of their appearances at once.

Despite our hardships and lack of sleep, Crystal's skin is as flawless as ever. Reece, in comparison, looks worn and exhausted. His blue eyes are shadowed, and his lip is slightly swollen and cut from his fight.

I reach up to touch him, tenderly brushing his face with my fingers. "Are you okay?" I ask. "You don't look so good."

He tries to smile, but it only further splits his lip. "I'm fine." He reaches up and takes my hand, pressing it to his mouth in a kiss. "Are you?"

I take forever to answer, because truth is, I'm not fine: I'm scared and I'm angry and I'm utterly heartbroken, but at least I'm alive; that has to count for something.

"Yes," I say, looking at Crystal. I'd expected her eyes to be glued to the window, the same way mine had been when I'd first escaped Marine World. But instead she's asleep, her head slumped on the table as she softly snores away.

I smile a little, despite myself, and look out the window, watching the buildings get smaller and smaller. We're almost out of here, and a part of me still can't believe that we've done it, that we've made it out of Marine World alive.

Some of us. When I think of Lola and Jewel, my heart aches in a way that I know will never leave me. I'll feel it forever, no matter how much time passes or where in the world I go. But even if it hurts to remember, I can never let them be forgotten.

Reece pulls me against him, allowing me to rest my head against his chest. He feels warm and solid as he cocoons me with his arm. It gives me this feeling somewhere deep within my chest, like as long as I am with him, I will always feel at home.

"They're going to be looking for us twice as hard," Reece says, stroking my hair. "We've seen what they're doing and they'll stop at nothing to make sure word never gets out."

I shudder at the thought of running, but we have no other choice. "I know. Where do you think your dad is?"

Reece shrugs slightly, his gaze intense. "Hopefully already on his way to Mexico, if he has any sense. If not, I have a feeling we'll be running into him soon."

I turn to the window, wanting to cry when I think about how much he has sacrificed for me. If it wasn't for him, I would have never gotten out; if it wasn't for me, he would still have his father.

"I know what you're thinking," he says, his voice low, "and it's not your fault. None of this."

I nod and reach into my pocket, taking out Dr. Wells' phone. I turn it in my hands, letting it reflect off the light.

"Are you sure you want to upload the footage?" Reece asks. "You'll both probably be thrown into the spotlight. I don't know what will happen."

I stare out of the window. Blending in is no longer my concern, not when releasing this footage could save other girls from a similar fate.

"It's the only way we're going to stop Marine World," I say, thinking of Jewel. "Jewel sacrificed herself so that we could tell the world our story. That's exactly what I intend to do."

Reece runs his fingers along the tendons in my hands. "No matter what happens, I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere."

I give him a weak smile as the monorail slows. "I know."

The platform is packed full of people wanting to get to the park, while we are still busy trying to escape it. We exit the station and head down the ramp, darting through rows of cars until we get to our own. Reece throws open the door and helps Crystal into the back, while I climb into the front.

My body is alive with adrenaline. I scan the parking lot over and over, waiting for the soldiers to appear. Reece throws the car in reverse and speeds towards the exit. I hold my breath and grip the edge of my seat, certain we aren't going to make it. But then we're flying through the exit and back onto the main road, away from Marine World forever.

I only relax once we've been driving for hours, and even then, not fully. I stretch out my legs, glancing at Reece to find him looking ahead, his hands gripped against the steering wheel. My stomach flips and soars with butterflies, then shrinks and folds when I think about Jewel.

Suddenly, as though she can tell what I'm thinking, Crystal reaches into the front and grabs hold of my hand. I squeeze hers back and turn to face her, finding that same defiant expression.

"I miss her too," she says softly, still holding my hand, "but I promise you, we are going to make Marine World pay."

I allow myself to sleep for a little while, too exhausted to keep my eyes open. My dreams are vivid and full of death; when I wake, I am covered in sweat.

"How long have we been driving?" I croak, looking at Reece.

"About seven hours," he says.

The sight of him makes me want to wrap him in my arms. He looks bruised and battered, like he's barely keeping his eyes open.

"We need to pull over somewhere and rest," I say, touching his arm. "You need to sleep, Reece. I mean it. Marine World can't track us anymore, we'll be okay."

I expect him to argue, but he nods a little, pulling into a motel about two miles down the road. When he pulls into the parking lot, he's barely awake.

"I'll go and sort it," I say. "You stay here. I just need some cash."

Reece groggily hands me a couple of notes. I stuff them in my pocket and get out the car, leading Crystal towards the reception.

"We can sleep here for tonight," I tell her, grabbing her hand. "We'll be okay."

She scans the reception as we walk up the counter, where a pleasant looking woman is sat. "Hello," the woman says, smiling. "Would you like a room?"

"One, please. With three beds."

She types something onto her computer and looks up. "We've got a room with two double beds. Will that be okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine," I say, handing over the money.

Crystal is studying the plant in the corner, running her hand along the bright yellow petals. She looks around in awe, like she can't quite believe that we've made it to the real world; I can't believe it, either.

The receptionist hands me the keys to our room. We head towards the car, and that's when I notice the driver's seat is empty.

Reece is gone.

💔