***Read Part 8 HERE

Charlie sits in the lounge area of the hotel suite.

Replaying his conversation with Sage in his head.

The pain etched on her face was unlike he’s seen yet.

It was deeper, darker, the fear was somehow realer.

Charlie hears the shower turn off. He shuts the TV, not having the mind to actually watch it anyway. It was just background noise at this point. Charlie sits waiting for Sage to emerge from the bathroom.

A few minutes later she opens the door, stepping out in pajamas, her hair still damp.

Charlie stands up.

Looking over at him, Sage pauses and holds her hand up.

“Please can we just not talk about this anymore?”

Charlie holds his hands up in surrender.

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I pushed you. I respect what you’re saying and I’m sorry I upset you. I assure you that was never my intention.”

“I know. I’m sorry I got so defensive. This whole thing- it’s a nightmare, and I just want it to stop.”

“I know.”

Charlie and Sage exchange small smiles, not knowing what to say next.

“I think I’m going to head to sleep. I’m kind of exhausted.”

“Sure,” Charlie says with a slight nod.

“Goodnight,” Sage says turning and walking toward her room.

“Goodnight,” Charlie says his eyes lingering on her retreating figure.

***************************************************************

Sage lay awake staring up at the ceiling, the fan spinning above her makes a humming noise as a faint breeze rustles the curtains in her room.

Her mind flashes back to the moment, her whole world shifted.

“Sage. Talk to me. Please. Sage. I love you.”

“I do. I love you.”

“Talk to me. And I will protect you. I swear.”

Sage sighs covering her face.

She turns the tv on for a distraction.

A news report flashes on.

The male news reporter states:

The main suspect in the Wakefield murder case is said to be a woman, in her mid to late 20’s, long dark hair and dark eyes. Petite build and about 5’6’’. Although we are doing everything we can to find her, she still remains at large. If you have any information please step up and either call the number on the screen or visit your local police stations and ask to speak to a detective covering the case.

On the other side of the door, Charlie lay awake in frustration, his body tense and his mind racing.

Anyone who may know of her whereabouts and does not come forward can be subject to being charged with accessory.

Sage’s head is spinning.

Charlie’s head pops up upon hearing Sage’s bedroom door open.

“Are you awake?” she whispers standing in the doorway.

“Yea, kinda hard not to be,” he says looking over at her.

Sage walks over to the couch where Charlie sits.

“Will you just, will you hold me.”

Charlie looks up at her, making room for her on the couch he creates a space for her welcoming her with open strong arms.

She sits as his arms wrap around her, she snuggles into his chest.

After a few minutes she looks up at Charlie, she nuzzles into his neck and kisses it.

He looks down at her.

Her eyes glance up at him, as she pulls him into a kiss.

“Sage,” He says sighing heavily, fidgeting in his seat.

She looks at him with questioning brown eyes. An innocence gleams.

Charlie can’t help it, he caves cupping her face and kissing her back.

Sage reaches for his shirt as she lifts it up over his head. She stands up and takes his hand walking him toward the master bedroom.

Laying down, she pulls him onto her as she kisses him again.

Charlie pulls away.

“We said we’d wait until you were ready.”

“I am ready.”

“Sage?”

“Please don’t question me.” She says pulling him back to her into a kiss.

Charlie kisses her back as the two of them fall into the sheets. The world and all their problems melting around them.

“I do love you, know that.” she whispers just before kissing him again.

Charlie looks at her slightly in shock but a happy smile soon finds his lips as he pulls Sage closer, kissing her more intensely.

Sage awakes a few hours later, clad in silk sheets lying next to Charlie in bed.

She scoots closer to him and kisses him sweetly.

He’s too exhausted to notice, sound asleep.

She knows what she has to do. It’s what’s best. It’s why she let them do what they did. Because she knew it was going to be her last night, her last chance to be with Charlie.

She wraps herself in a sheet and leans down to collect her clothes off the floor. Slinking off to her bedroom to get dressed.

A few minutes later, she stands at the kitchen counter writing a note.

Dear Charlie,

I know that when you wake up, you’re probably going to hate me. I’m not good at goodbyes and I didn’t want you trying to talk me out of doing this. I hope that you can understand why I did this. I did this for my sanity, because I can’t keep running from my mistakes. But more so, because I can’t let you get caught is this mess any more than you already are. If anything were to happen to you because of me, I would not be able to forgive myself. You are a beautiful man and a sweet soul. And I thank you for all you’ve done for me, but most importantly for the love you’ve showed me. I’ve gone to turn myself in. It’s time. Please do not try and chase after me, or try to change my mind. This is something I desperately need to do.

I love you,

Stay Safe

Sage. ❤

Sage folds the note and walks over, leaving it on Charlie’s nightstand.

She looks at him with a sad weighty sigh, as she leaves the room.

Charlie awakes a while later. Looking around he begins to dread that familiar feeling.

“Sage.”

Met with silence he knows she’s gone.

Charlie jolts up pulling on his jeans, he looks around for clues as to where she went. He sees the envelope on the night stand and opens it.

Upon reading it, his eyes begin to water.

“Damn it! Don’t do this to me, not again!” he says the tears falling freely down his face.

Charlie panics and paces the room, not sure what to do. He wants to respect her wishes but he knows there’s more to this story then she’s told him and maybe, just maybe she’s just being too tough on herself. She deserves better than what she’s settling for.

Charlie reaches in his jean pocket, finding his wallet he searches in it, pulling out another business card.

Rushing over to  the hotel phone, he dials. After a few rings, the receiver of the call answers.

“Hello Malloy, its Steinfeld. I’m gonna need a favor.”

To Be Continued….

Stay Tuned for the conclusion of On The Run…Part 10 scheduled for next week! 😀

I hope you’re enjoying! Please feel free to leave a comment down below.

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images or gifs used in my edits or otherwise.*