The Cost of Freedom Is High

“Chance, what the fuck are you doing here?” I whispered, as he let go of my mouth.

“Well I figured everyone would be passed out so I knew I needed to come and talk to you.” He replied.

“Some of them don’t drink though.” I stated.

“Those guys are drugged up then, don’t ask about it though. Just accept it.” He said.

“How long do we have then?” I asked him.

“At least two hours.” Chance told me.

“Awesome. I’m going to go change and then we can go from there.” I said, rewrapping the shower curtain around me and making my way down to the big closet.

I threw on a pair of mesh shorts, and a blackcraft cult tee.

Making my way back towards Chance, I was practically jumping with joy, he was actually here for me.

“I missed you.” He whispered, as I walked back into the bathroom and he engulfed me in a bear hug.

“I know, now let’s get the fuck out of here.” I squealed with excitement.

“About that.” Chance stated, his facial expression suddenly changing.

“I don’t like the sound of that.” I said.

“I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but I need to get the truth out so we can discuss other things. I’m not here to get you out right now Bella, I’m here to talk.” Chance told me.

“What?” I asked, refusing to believe the words that came out of his mouth.

“You’re not getting out today.” Chance whispered, looking down at the floor.

“You’re here Chance, and everyone’s passed out. If you think I’m not leaving with, you’re crazy.” I exclaimed.

“Bella, if you come with me now I don’t have everything set up in order for you to be safe. In case you haven’t noticed it’s not exactly easy to get away from these guys and not know where you are.” Chance replied.

“In case you didn’t know Chance, Warped tour is 6 months away. I’m losing my f***ing mind, and I’m slowly starting to lose everything, starting with my sanity.” I told him.

“I know Bella, but if I do go ahead and get you out, you’re going to end right back up in here.” Chance informed me.

“I don’t care! If I just sit around here, for those months I’ll be too screwed up to even care about getting out.” I yelled.

“There’s nothing I can do Bella! I’ve been doing my hardest to help you, and I’m sorry but I can’t get you out now.” Chance yelled back.

I took a step back, a little surprised.

I’d never seen him this pissed with anyone, especially me.

“I understand your concerns Chance, but I’m going to tell you the truth, and it’s that if I don’t get out now, I honestly don’t know if I’d even be able to leave when the time came. They have ways of twisting things so that reality doesn’t seem real. I’m horrified to think that in 6 months it’s a possibility that I won’t be able to draw the enemy line between me and them.” I admitted, a bit ashamed in the truth.

“Bella, you are too strong for that okay. If you ever start to think like that, just think of everything they’ve already put you through, there’s so much pain there. Don’t let them get to you, I know how kick ass you really are.” Chance told me, trying to make me a bit happier.

It wasn’t going to work though. You could tell just by the tension in the air that we both knew that what I said could very well possibly happen.

“I’m not even going to look like my old self Chance. My hair’s already changed, I’ll be wearing these green eye contacts, and from what I’ve heard my next step is tattooes and piercings. They’re trying to fucking break me, by slowly tearing me apart.” I said.

“Bella, you can’t let something like that bring you down. It doesn’t matter what you’re like on the outside, as long as you’re still the Bella inside that I’ve come to know and love.” Chance replied.

“That’s easier said than done.” I whispered.

“If it means anything, I actually really like your hair.” Chance complimented me.

“Thanks.” I thanked him softly.

“No problem, thank you for understanding.” He stated, once again giving me a hug.

“So what exactly did you come here to tell me?” I asked him.

“I do have a plan starting to come together, but there’s one thing I really need you to do. You just have to follow the rules.” Chance explained.

I groaned, and made my way down the hallway.

“Just go away, Chance. I get it, I can’t get out, and all you want me to do is behave. I get it, you’ve told me this before.” I said, as he ran behind me, catching up.

“Bella.’ Chance started.

“Please just stop, okay. I got your message loud and clear.” I snapped.

“Bella.” He once again tried.

“Just go Chance, okay? Nothing obviously is going to work out today. You go do whatever you need to do to make things work and as fast as possible, and I’ll just try to get by.” I told him.

“Bella.” He interjected.

“Just leave, don’t make feel shittier than I already do.” I said.

“I’m going as fast as I can Bella.” He informed me.

“Goodbye.” I whispered, walking out of the bathroom and making my way down to Tyler’s room.

I couldn’t bare to see Chance and physically touch him if I knew that within an hour or two he would once again be gone for at least 6 months.

A few minutes went by and just as I opened the door to ETF’s room, the main door slammed shut and the sound alarm dinged which meant it was still turned on.

The first thing that I noticed was that everyone was passed out in their beds, and they all had a beer bottle next to their bed, whether it be empty or not was different for each of them.

Luckily Tyler was on the very far side of his bed, which made it incredibly easy for me to get in next to him and slip the covers over my body.

I couldn’t promise anyone anything at the moment.

There was only one thing I was sure of.



I can’t wait forever.

Notes