MIRANDA Hazel and I both came out of hiding, picked up sticks for protection, and began to run out of the woods.Fortunately, we did not meet any of them and finally reached the road. We both sighed in relief and threw our sticks when we saw a cab.We got into the cab after Hazel instructed the driver to take us to the restaurant where we had parked our car.Once we got there, he took out his wallet and paid the driver. We made a few inquiries at the restaurant and found out about a hotel that was close by.Hazel drove our car to the hotel and booked a room. Once we were inside, I sat on the bed and checked my bag which had gotten wet.Our phones had both gotten wet and gone off and I couldn't walk properly because of the thorns stuck to the sole of my feet. I had also dropped my pepper spray before we jumped and felt bad about leaving it behind."Let me have your phone," Hazel told me. I gave it to him and he opened both our phones and went to the balcony, placing the phone parts in

MIRANDAAfter Ramos threatened to break down the door and finally kicked it, I gathered the sheets with my fists, feeling chilled to the bone as my teeth chattered in fear.The sound of gunshots made me cover my ears with my hands. My heart raced as my lips pressed into a thin line, while I closed my eyes.Then suddenly it became quiet. I hugged my knees while still sitting on the bed, barely feeling the impact of the injury under my feet because fear gnawed at me.I suddenly heard a knock on the door and a familiar voice say, "Open up."My heart skipped a beat as the voice sounded so much like Hazel's."Was that Hazel?" I wondered."Open up, Miranda, it's me." It was indeed Hazel.My eyes lit up and I got off the bed and ran toward the door to open it. I suddenly stopped when I recalled Ramos' voice from earlier. What if one of Ramos' men was pretending to speak like Hazel? It was a long stretch but not impossible."Is it really you, Hazel?" I asked...."I heard Ramos'......""It's you

MIRANDA The doctor arrived shortly after and administered an injection into my veins to prevent infection. He gave Hazel a few instructions along with a tube of cream before leaving.After the doctor left, Hazel began to apply the cream under my feet while I stared at him wondering if everything that had happened so far was a dream.In spite of all that had happened between me and Hazel, it was still difficult to believe that he was the Hazel I knew.He had suddenly become a different man; Kind, patient toward me, loving, and tolerant. Without a doubt, I believed he had feelings for me but how long was it going to last for?Was he the same way with his ex-wife Shayla when they were together? From what I gathered, they had been in love before he married her. Had he been this caring too?I could still recall the first time I met her, she had felt sorry for me when she learned that I was Hazel's new wife, at least, that was what she had told me. Was it a good idea to ask Hazel about his

MIRANDA The man posing as Hazel got up with a strange look in his eyes.As he approached me slowly, I took a few steps back, warning, "Don't come any closer, otherwise I will stab you with this fork.""This doesn't seem like a joke," were the words he said before he turned around and walked away. I noticed he was heading toward the kitchen and ran back to the bedroom, locking the door.Recalling that I had just eaten the food he made, my heart raced even more. I didn't know what to do. In a city where I knew no one else, how could I find out what was going on?I wondered when exactly Hazel was switched and what had happened to him."Who was the man I gave myself to?" It was most likely the impostor because the Hazel I knew wanted our relationship to be different. He had clearly stated it in the contract he made me sign."Miranda, this isn't funny anymore. Open up, I'm worried about you," Hazel's voice followed by a series of knocks on the door, made me take a few more steps away from

MIRANDAI bit my lips as I felt torn. I wanted to send Hazel away until I knew who he truly was, however, how could I let go of such a golden opportunity?"Okay, come in," I finally told him with a smile as I made way for him to get in.Seeing all the pillows on the bed, he stared at the pillow in his hand and smiled awkwardly, "I didn't realize you had so many pillows. I would not have brought one if I did."I looked at the eight pillows on my bed and smiled, "It's okay, I guess we can find a place for it."Taking the pillow from him, I placed it atop one of the pillows and lay on the bed, he followed right after. Since I wasn't comfortable around him anymore, I turned, showing him my back. He moved closer to me until there was no space left between us. His hand snaked around my waist as he hugged me from behind, his breath fanning my neck.I remained in the same position, and closed my eyes, not wanting to react to anything he was doing, in hopes that he would give up and fall asle