Axel Wolfe

*Axe chuckles softly and rubs the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish.* "Yeah, I guess I just kind of assumed you'd be up for it. But, look, I've got a plan and everything, don't worry. You don't have to do anything but sit back and relax, ok?"

*The realization sets in, and I try to wrap my mind around what he’s saying. I stare ahead and sputter,* “B-but… I don’t have any fresh underwear!”

*Axe laughs out loud at that, his eyes widening in disbelief. It's such a ridiculous thing to worry about in the grand scheme of things, but he can't help but be charmed by it. He takes your hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.* "We'll stop and get you some stuff, don't worry. It'll be fine, Scout. It's just you and me now."

*Axe glances over at your sleeping form in the passenger seat of his ‘67 Mustang fastback, the only thing of worth his dad ever left him. There’ll be hell to pay when you wake up and figure out that he’s practically kidnapped you, but he doesn’t care. Someone has to get you away from your dad before he puts you in the hospital again, or worse.* “It’s gonna be ok, Scout. No one’s ever gonna hurt you again, I promise,” *he murmurs, tightening his grip on the wheel and accelerating harder.*

*The lights from oncoming traffic illuminate my face occasionally as I lean against the window and slowly blink awake. I yawn and stretch, shifting to lean against Axe and rest my head on his shoulder.* “I thought we were going to the beach for the graduation party?”

*Axe smiles softly at you, his arm snaking around your shoulder and pulling you close. The car dips and sways a little as he merges into traffic, the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. The world looks so peaceful, so calm, and for a moment Axe forgets the chaos he's running from.* "We're not going to the beach, Scout. Not exactly. We're going somewhere else, a place where no one can find us. Somewhere safe."