Chapter 165 - He Is Free.

Lance.

Today is the day.

The day I have planned to get him out of that hospital.

I have been at the apartment waiting for Eren. He keeps saying there is a plan, but I actually don't think there is a plan. We just go and wait for this Manuel guy. He is the one that will be doing all the work. I will just be there to take him with me.

"You gotta stop pacing dude, that shit is distracting,'' Jack speaks up. He is watching me from the couch. I can't help myself.

"I can't, I didn't sleep a wink last night,'' I confess. All night, I kept thinking, I kept worrying. There are so many things that could go wrong and I don't want it to be because of me.

"My boyfriend couldn't sleep either, so I couldn't sleep. So I guess we both didn't sleep a wink last night,'' he informs me.

I stop pacing and raise a brow at him. he watches me "You just said boyfriend,'' I point out. This is shocking to me because Jack of a couple of weeks and Jack of now are totally different. He was just teasing me about having a boyfriend and now he can casually say he has one.

He shrugs "Oh well, it is what it is,'' he says as he picks up his phone. Patrick is at work. He seems to be a workaholic. Or maybe it is just that he likes what he does.

A knock comes from the door which makes me run over to it. I open the door and Eren smiles at me excitedly "Come on,'' he breathes out with a wave.

I grab my wallet and the bag I had packed. There is nothing much in it. just a couple of clothes. All the things I will need for this escape. I don't know how long we will be on the run. Maybe until he is eighteen, which is in two months. I am sure we can handle being away for two months. I have some money saved up. Now I can leave without even worrying about Jack. He has Patrick now.

We walk out of the house and into Jack's car "You're gonna need my car, right?'' he asks.

I don't have a car and it is not because we couldn't afford one. I just never saw the need for one. Jack always took me everywhere with him. it is not like I ever needed it but a car would be good about now. I don't want us to use Ford's car because John could track us with it. I don't want anyway that they would find us. Then this whole thing would be futile.

I need to make this all worth it. I don't want him to have to worry about his father and the people that turned their backs against him. we will start a new life wherever we end up.

We get to the hospital and Eren speaks up "So they will only let you in. since you're the only one on the list but we will be here, just wait until Manuel signals you.'' He tells me.

I nod "How will I know who he is?''

He waves his hand in the air "Don't you worry about that, he will come to meet you guys,'' he assures me "Besides Ford knows him,'' he adds.

I get down from the car with them wishing me good luck. I need all the luck I can get because I am nervous as hell. The confusion and uncertainly still springs up every couple of seconds. I walk into the building and the first person I see is the security guard by the door. He is dressed in a uniform. He looks very unfriendly but you can't really judge these things by that. There is no way we will be able to walk out of here if this man is still in front of this entrance.

"Hello,'' the nurse at the reception greets me.

"I am here to see Ford Hilly,'' I tell her calmly. My hands are shaking but I am trying to keep a poker face. I am so nervous that I am sweating through my clothes but the woman doesn't notice.

"Come with me," she walks out of her booth and she leads me to that same room. The one I met him in with his cousin the last time I was here. The room is empty except for the tables and chairs. The room walls are white and they look padded. Everyone seems to think he is damaged that he needs an extra eye but I don't see that. Ford doesn't need all this. he is fine. He doesn't need the special attention. He doesn't need the eyes and drugs.

He just needs me.

I sit down on one of the chairs and my eyes remain fixed on the door. I want to see him again. I want to hold him in my arms. I can't wait for the end of the day when we won't have any restrictions.

When we can be together all day and all night.

The door opens and he walks in with another nurse. This one is a man. There is a smile on his face as he walks up to us but my eyes remain fixed on my boyfriend. It looks like he has lost weight and it has just been a couple of days. Is he not eating here?

His skin is pale, there are dark circles around his eyes. He isn't eating and sleeping. He is dressed in a pair of grey sweats and a plain white shirt. His hair is longer than the last time I saw him—messy like just poured water on him. my heart is breaking because this is him in pain. He is hurting badly and there is nothing I could have done to prevent this.

"Hello Lance, I am Manuel,'' he stretches his hand out for a handshake and I take his hand in mine, forcing my eyes away from Ford. "So, spend a couple of minutes in here and I will summon you guys out when it is safe for you to leave,'' he winks.

I nod because I don't have the words. I just need to get him out of here and it seems like it will be possible soon.

Once Manuel leaves the room, Ford wraps his arms around me. his breathing is heavy, against my chest. "I missed you so much,'' he cries, not even hiding how much this hurts. I completely understand how he feels. I couldn't see him even though he was so close to me. to me, it seems unfair but now we don't have to worry about it anymore. He bends his head backward, pulling away from me, and his lips press to mine roughly. I know how long it has been since I had the chance to kiss him. the freedom to love him.

I am here with him and that is all that matters to me.

"Don't leave me again,'' he cries.

"I promise you, I will never leave you again. I will get you out of here and we will be happy." It might seem like an empty promise because I can't really control the situation with his father but I will keep fighting, I will make sure he doesn't end up like his mother. I will make sure that I continue believing in him.

The door opens before we even have a chance to sit down and Manuel gestures for us to follow him. "Come on, we are going to take the employees exit,''' he tells me.

That wasn't the plan. As I said, there really isn't any plan. The only thing I need is to get him out. Everything else is insignificant.

We walk out of the room and I hold Ford's hand in mine. I don't plan on letting go of him until we are out of the hospital. "I had to disassemble to cameras. I can't have this being traced back to me,'' he whispers as we walk through corners.

We get to a door and he leads us down the stairs of a place that looks like a basement. I don't even know where this leads but as long as we get to see the sun in a couple of minutes, then I will be fine. We keep walking until the final door that leads to the outside world. Ford's freedom.

Once outside, he squeezes my hand. I don't blame him for being afraid. I am scared too but I have to be the strong one. I have to be the shoulder that he can lean on. "We are fine,'' I assure him.

"I called Eren, they are waiting for us down the street."

This was easy but I don't want to speak too soon and Jinx it. I see the parking lot of the hospital, where I left my friends. We keep walking until I see the car. My heart races against my chest, all the anxiety that I have been feeling slowly wiping away.

He is free.