Run No More

By Michelle Rarey

Run No More is the story of Avery Lockhart, a gifted young girl who has been on the run for her entire life. Her uncle Finn has spent the last eight years raising her after her mother was killed by the same man they are still running from.

Avery's mother, Luna, was recruited at the age of fifteen by an agency that operates under the guise of training young people with certain gifts so they are able to function normally in society. The real goal of the agency, however, is much more sinister.

The story begins as Avery is about to turn fifteen, the age that her gift comes into full power. She and Finn have just moved to a new town and are trying to stay under the radar. It seems, though, that they have fallen right into the agency's backyard. Avery meets another young girl who also possesses gifts and watches in horror as she is kidnapped by one of the agents right before her eyes. The discovery that Finn's new romantic interest is involved leaves them both terrified.

Desperate to stop running, Avery and Finn develop a plan to rescue Avery's friend and take down the agency. As they execute their plan, things go horribly wrong. Will they make it out alive, or will they be another statistic of the agency?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886543285

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Run No More

Michelle Rarey

Copyright © 2022 Michelle Rarey

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 979-8-88654-327-8 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-328-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Acknowledgments

About the Author

For Mr. Steve Rarey.

You have been my rock. I love you, Dad!

Prologue

As Luna ran between the tall, cold, graffiti-covered warehouse buildings, she could hear the footsteps echoing on the concrete, growing louder by the second. He was getting closer. She felt the ache in her chest as her heart beat out of control, trying to keep up with her feet, and her breath came in gasps. She knew there was no way she would be able to outrun him, and she looked around frantically for a place to hide.

Just ahead, where the building ended, there were several metal storage containers stacked one on top of another in rows. As she reached the end of the building, she ducked behind one of the large stacks and leaned against it to catch her breath.

I know you're there, Luna. His voice was the same as she remembered, and she felt the still familiar twist in her heart, despite knowing who he really was. Leaning against the cold metal, she breathed in slowly and deeply, trying to return her breath to normal. She pushed the thoughts of who he had been out of her mind. Allowing those memories to distract her would only make this more difficult. You won't get away, Luna. You might as well come out now.

Why are you doing this, Ethan? Her voice was shaky, still breathless from running. Pulling away from the cold metal of the container she'd been leaning against, she turned boldly and faced him. She gasped involuntarily as she took in the changes in his appearance.

It had been nearly eight years since she had last seen him. Eight long years of living in fear. Eight years of running, hiding, and praying he wouldn't find them. Gone were the curls that she had once run her fingers through when his hair had grown too long. His light-brown hair was now riddled with grey and closely cropped, changing his look completely.

But the biggest change was intangible. She could still remember the way he had looked at her, his expression soft, his eyes bright and shiny. There had been so much in his expression that she had been able to read him without touching him. Now, though, his face was hard and expressionless; his eyes vacant. She felt her own eyes well up as he stared her down.

Was that so hard, Luna? As he walked toward her, she scanned his body for a weapon. It dawned on her as she was still trying to catch her breath that he wasn't even breathing hard. The run hadn't fazed him. She cursed herself silently for not staying in better shape. She had always known this day would come.

Not detecting a weapon on him, she breathed a small sigh of relief. Maybe he really did only want to talk. She took a step closer to him and reached her hand out. If she could touch him, she would know his intentions.

Oh, Luna, you should know better. He backed away from her outstretched arm. I've been looking for you for a long time. No one has ever evaded the agency for this long.

Luna took a step back, mentally kicking herself for not being more vigilant. But it was chance—stupid chance. She had been at work, just like any other day. She worked at a fairly nice restaurant on the water at the opposite end of town where they were currently and had spotted him from across the room. He must have been traveling, and fate had cruelly landed him in her restaurant. Once she had seen him, she had ducked out of the way quickly, convinced he hadn't seen her. Faking illness, she had managed to convince her boss to let her go home for the evening.

But he had seen her. Of course, he had. And he had followed her. Thankfully, she'd had the presence of mind to not go straight home. Instead, she had taken a circuitous route through her small town that led to the industrial center where large warehouses lined the waterfront.

Now here they were at the docks on the edge of town where she had run to as soon as she realized he was following her. At this time of night, the buildings were void of life. Just empty warehouses and metal shipping containers, perfect for picking up the echo of footsteps and broadcasting them to anyone within earshot. That and lifeless equipment that left nowhere to hide.

What do you want? She made eye contact with him, looking for something familiar but finding nothing.

No one leaves the agency, Luna. His voice was flat, and he took a step toward her.

Backing up, she looked at his hands again. They were empty. Are you here to take me back? She knew the question was futile. Just as no one left, no one went back either.

He laughed—a humorless, vile sound—and took another step toward her. You know better.

Afraid now, she gasped and took another step backward. Then why are you here? What do you want? She risked a quick glance over her shoulder. Behind her, the dock came to an abrupt end, and then there was nothing but water. Nowhere to go.

I didn't come here with the intention of solving a problem, but that's what I'm going to do. He took another step toward her. You know, we've been looking for you for a long time.

Ethan, don't do this. Her voice was shaky again, and she cringed at her weakness. "You once loved me. Do you remember that? Do you remember us?" She scanned the dock for something to defend herself with.

That was a long time ago. I'm not that person anymore. He took another step closer.

Forcing herself to take a deep breath, Luna focused upward, on the smaller shipping container that sat on top of the stack. At her will, the container moved and toppled over, falling to the dock. Ethan looked up as it fell and jumped back just in time to avoid being crushed by it. While he was distracted, she took the opportunity to slip behind the next row of containers.

I see you are still using your gifts. They won't help you. She couldn't see him now, but his voice was unshaken by the crash. Imminent danger postponed; she scanned her surroundings again. Her options were limited. She could jump in the water, which would be freezing in the middle of February. But if she swam quickly, she might be able to make it to shore.

But then what? He knew where she was now. If she went home, he would discover her secret. There was no way he would walk away.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as she realized she would have to kill him. It was him or her. If he died, no one would know where she was. If she died, he would think his mission was complete.

Can we just talk, Ethan? she called out. If she could just get him to listen, maybe she could find the Ethan she remembered. He had to be in there somewhere. I won't hurt you if we can just talk.

There was no answer, and she walked toward the container to peer around it. Ethan? she called out quietly. Nothing.

She reached the end of the container and leaned forward, peering around the corner. He wasn't there. There was nothing, no one on that side of the container. Where had he gone?

Exhaling, she took a tentative step forward, preparing to run again. Ethan? she called once more.

She heard his breath just before she felt his hand on her shoulder. Once he touched her, the flood of anger and rage flowing out of him nearly brought her to her knees. She was overwhelmed by his fury, and it paralyzed her.

He pulled her around to face him, and she looked into his empty, soulless eyes. She wasn't aware of the knife penetrating her chest, so stunned was she by the torrent of repulsive emotion spilling into her from his touch.

As her knees hit the ground, he let go of her shoulder, and she finally felt the pain in her chest. Her hands went instinctively to the knife, wanting to pull it out but unable to grasp it.

Her hands fell, and her body began to topple. Landing on her side, she looked up at the man she had once loved so passionately. She could feel the tears on her cheeks as she heard him laughing; the wicked smile on his face was a testament of the evil inside him.

As the light began to fade, her only thought was of her daughter. Still looking at the man who had given her the most precious gift, she whispered quietly, Avery.

Ethan poked Luna's body with his booted foot, checking to see if she was still alive. When he got no response, he knelt down and took her hand in his fingers feeling for a pulse that wasn't there. Exhaling forcefully, he stood up and wiped his brow. He smiled slightly, the lifting of his mouth painting a sinister face. Finally, his mission was complete. He unceremoniously pulled the knife out of her and wiped it off on her clothes. He would have to take it with him. There could be no evidence. No trace of him or of the agency.

He had heard her speak but hadn't been able to make out what she had said. Something niggled inside, telling him that what she said had been important, but there wasn't anything he could do about it now. With no one the wiser, he would leave it off his report. After eight long years, his mission was finally over. If he included her utterance, there was a possibility that they might leave the case open.

He couldn't do it. After so many years of unsuccessfully chasing her, seeking her, he needed to move on.

Chapter 1

Avery picked up a box and followed Finn down the front porch steps to his truck; her long red hair tied up in a messy bun that sat on the top of her head. Why are we moving now? There hasn't been any sign of the agency in years. Why can't we just stay put for once? She hated that her voice sounded whiny, but she couldn't help it. She was so tired of moving. It seemed her entire life up until now had been centered around starting over.

Sorry, Ave. Finn smiled at her as he took the box out of her arms and put it in the back of the truck with the others. You know we can't stay. Besides, you're about to turn fifteen. Everything is going to change. He stopped what he was doing and looked at her, squinting in the sunlight. He seemed to be searching for something in her face.

Uncomfortable with the intensity of his stare, she turned around and walked back into the house. Finn followed. Come on, Avery. You know the deal.

She picked up another box, wincing at its weight, and passed it over to Finn then bent down to pick up yet another. I know, but I don't want to move again. I like it here. I have friends here. I don't want to keep doing this. When can we stop? The words rushed out of her like a torrent, piercing Finn's heart.

She pushed past him, heading out to the truck with her box, but he put his hand on her arm. As soon as he touched her, she could feel his love for her, and it stopped her in her tracks. Setting her box down, she sat on it, sighing deeply.

Finn was her uncle, her mom's younger brother, and he had been taking care of her for her whole life. Since she was seven years old, it had been just the two of them. He had been only eighteen when her mother was murdered; his whole life ahead of him and certainly not ready to be saddled with his sister's kid. But he had never once complained.

For the eight years after their parents had been killed, he and his sister Luna had clung to each other and pieced together a life that, while not perfect, worked for them and kept them safe. At only eleven years old, he had been devastated by the death of their parents. Luna had done her best to take care of him, though, burying her own grief and loving him through his. Once Avery came along, she had cared for them both. She had worked tirelessly, supporting them to the best of her ability, making sure that Finn did well in school while meeting Avery's every need.

Finn knew better than anyone how Avery felt about moving. During the eight years leading up to Luna's death, they had moved constantly. Knowing that the agency was tracking them, hunting them, they hadn't stayed in one place longer than a year, changing their identities almost as frequently. In fact, he had finished high school through online courses. It was the only way he could manage to complete his classes and get through the four years of high school in just four years.

I'm sorry, Avery, he said, sitting down next to her. I wish it were different. I wish we could settle down and stay in one place indefinitely. Maybe someday we'll be able to, but right now, we just can't. He wiped a tear from her cheek and tried to catch her eye. What can I do?

They had been living in the small mountain town of Frisco, Colorado, for the past year and nine months. Since Luna's death, they had been able to stay in one place much longer. There was no reason to suspect that they were even on the agency's radar anymore, but he had promised Luna that he would take care of Avery, and that still included the occasional relocation.

This time, they were headed to another small town. He had found a little two-bedroom cottage in the coastal town of Port Townsend in the northern end of Washington state. While they always used their real names at home, he had a contact who was able to supply paperwork for new identities each time they moved. They weren't perfect, but they were good enough to get Avery into school and him into a job. In the event that the agency did come after them, he needed to make sure he did everything he could to make it as difficult as possible to find them. Changing their names ensured there was no trail to follow.

But we're moving right before my birthday. I wanted to have a party with my friends here. And now I'm not going to have anyone to spend my birthday with. His heart broke at the sadness and the unshed tears he could clearly see in her eyes when she looked up at him.

Aw, sweetie. I wish we could stay. But you know I made a promise to your mom. And you're going to be fifteen. You don't know what's going to happen. It's better if we're in a new place where people might not notice a difference.

Nothing's going to happen, Finn. I'm gonna turn fifteen, and I'm still gonna be just plain old Avery. There's not going to be anything to notice.

He looked at her with sympathy. There was no way she could understand or anticipate the changes that were looming in the not-too-distant future.

I don't think you understand, Avery. For some reason, when we turn fifteen, things change inside us. The gifts we have become stronger. Sometimes, we aren't able to control them. He brushed a strand of her hair that had fallen out of the bun back behind her ear. The things I can do aren't even that remarkable, but when I turned fifteen, it was like I wasn't even in control of my body. For months, I felt completely unhinged.

"But I feel fine, Finn. I feel totally normal. And my gifts aren't that big of a deal either. I can feel things, but I don't know how that even could change. And I can sometimes move things. But I could do it better when I was younger. Now it's not even that strong. Maybe I'm not like you and Mom." Her head hung down, the tears dripping off her nose.

We won't know till next week, Ave. I'm so sorry that we have to leave here. I know you love it, but you're going to love it in Washington too. Let's see what happens, and maybe this time, we'll be able to stay longer.

They don't even know I exist, right? And they don't know you have any gifts. And maybe they think you died in the fire with your parents. Why would they even be looking for you?

He sighed, knowing her logic was sound yet knowing his vigilance was what had kept them safe this long. I don't know that they are. Maybe they aren't. But I promised.

Avery stood up, groaning, Yeah, yeah, I know. You promised my mom you would take care of me. Fine. Let's move. Finn's head spun at her sudden switch. He stood up and watched as she placed her box in the truck and went back inside to get more.

At twenty-six, he didn't have a lot of experience with girls in general. Their nomadic lifestyle had made it difficult for him to embark on any relationship that might turn romantic, so while he had been on a few dates, he had never been in a real relationship. Even though he had been around Avery her entire life, her moods and her ever-changing attitudes were still a mystery to him.

There was so much Avery didn't know about the gifts that ran in their family. So much she didn't know about her mother or the agency. She had asked him many times about her father, but he had always claimed ignorance. He knew that, at some point, he would have to tell her everything. But she still seemed so young to him, and the desire to protect her ran deep inside of him.

Sighing again, he stood up and started carrying the rest of the boxes out to the truck. He would stay out of Avery's way for a little while, and she would come around. She was completely unable to stay angry. It went against her nature.

Sure enough, by the time they had everything loaded into the truck, she was talking to him again. When they pulled out of the drive for the last time, she looked wistfully over her shoulder and said a quiet goodbye.

All right, Uncle Finn. Where's the map so I can navigate? Let's get this show on the road. She smiled at him when he handed her the map, and with relief, he drove them north to their new home—their new lives.

Chapter 2

Finn rubbed his tired eyes and breathed a huge sigh of relief when they finally pulled into the long driveway set back from the main road, hidden in a copse of evergreen trees. They had driven for three days, stopping for the night in Utah and then again in Idaho.

Is that it? He almost laughed at Avery's disdain. The house was smaller than he had expected too, but it was private and affordable. And best of all, the owners took cash and didn't ask a lot of questions.

Yup, that's it, he answered with false cheer, ignoring her stare as he parked the truck along the side of the house to make unloading easier. Shall we go check it out? He paused before turning off the engine and looked over at Avery, the expression on her face bordering on disgust. Hey! You haven't even seen it yet. Withhold judgment till you have all the information, okay?

She looked back at him and nodded but didn't say anything; her disappointment palpable.

Once out of the truck, they took a moment to stretch their aching legs and backs before going inside the house. After three days in the truck, they were stiff and sore. I thought it was supposed to rain all the time here, Avery said, looking up at the clear, crisp blue sky.

I'm sure the claims are overstated. Besides, it's the beginning of April. Maybe we missed the rainy season. He reached back into the truck for the paperwork the landlord had