Chapter Fourteen: Beauty

*I ran through the woods, panting and gasping for air as beads of sweat formed along my forehead. I pushed my legs as hard as I could, running from something I couldn't name or see.*

*As I was running, my foot caught on a loose root, and I fell forward. I screamed and braced myself for the impact of my body on the ground, but it never came. I forced myself to open my eyes, confused, and saw the ground just inches below my face. When I looked up, I saw Jake holding me up by my shirt.*

*"Jake?" I asked, my brows plunging to the center of my forehead. My voice sounded like an echo, like I was in some sort of cave and not in the middle of the woods from the Exorcist.*

*His face held an expression of deep relief as he pulled me up and wrapped me in his arms. "Leia!" He whispered into my hair. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I've been so worried." His heavy breathing told me he'd been running as well. And his voice was laced with panic.*

*I matched his embrace, hugging him tightly. B