35. Chapter Thirty-Five
Rachel
That heated moment with Vaughn hasn’t been that long ago—a few days at most—and I’m so ready to find some semblance of normalcy. For over a week now, I have been running every day, channeling my emotions through the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement, trying to clear my brain and find clarity. Today, however, after I return home from my morning run, I feel off.
The front door is slightly ajar, and my heart drops as I call out, “Archie!” Usually, my beloved cat is waiting for me with his soft purring and eager love. However, there’s no answer today.
Dread pools in my stomach, and I push the door open. The moment I walk in, the sight that meets my eyes makes my breath hitch. The place is ransacked. Cushions are thrown about, and furniture is overturned. It looks like someone searched through every drawer and cabinet. My heart races as I call out again, panic setting in, “Archie!”
My heart pounds in my chest as I rush through the living room. Every instinct in me screams that something is very wrong. “Archie, where are you?” Desperation creeps into my voice. The eerie silence of my home is the only response.
I leap into the kitchen, looking under the table, in the pantry—anywhere I can think to find him. But he’s nowhere to be found. Reality hits me, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Someone violated my home, my sanctuary, and now my little companion is missing. A wave of helplessness washes over me, and tears stream down my cheeks.
“Please, no,” I whisper, my voice trembling. This can’t happen. I need Archie back. The thought of him being out there alone fills me with dread. He’s my comfort, my joy.
With shaky hands, I pull out my phone and dial Vaughn’s number. Right now, he’s the only person I feel I can turn to. I wipe away my tears, trying to pull myself together. When he finally answers, my voice shakes as I speak.
“Rachel?” His voice is immediately concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“I . . . I got home, and everything’s a mess. Archie is missing. Someone’s been here!” The words rush from my lips in a choked sob.
“What do you mean, missing?” he asks, urgency lacing his voice.
“He’s gone, and my apartment is ransacked. I mean . . . I don’t know what to do!” My breathing grows uneven, and panic rises again, making my heart race.
“Stay calm. I’m going to the stadium now,” he says, his tone firm and reassuring. “Meet me there. We’ll figure this out.”
“Okay,” I reply, sniffling and trying to steady my breathing. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
I wipe my tears quickly and hang up the phone, throwing on a hoodie. My mind races. This can’t happen. I have no idea who would do this or why, but I can only think about getting Archie back.
I look back into the chaos of my apartment as I dash out. I’m angry, I’m afraid, and I know I cannot let that pull me under. I need to get stronger for Archie.
My heart pounds as I drive to the stadium. It seems to take forever. I can’t shake the dread that has settled in the pit of my stomach. What if something has happened to him? What if he’s scared and alone?
I finally pulled into the stadium’s parking lot, jump out of the car, and run toward the entrance. I see Vaughn standing near the entrance, looking half concerned, half determined.
“Rachel!” he calls out, rushing to meet me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m scared, Vaughn,” I say, looking into his eyes, my voice trembling. “I don’t know what I should do.”
He nods, looking over me. “We’ll figure it out. Let’s call the police and report this first. They can help track down Archie.”
“Right,” I say, grateful for his calm demeanor. Together, we go inside, his presence grounding me amid the madness.
We have a short walk to the team’s office. I take out my phone to dial the police, and Vaughn stands silently by my side. I tell them my cat is missing, and my house was broken into.
After I hang up, Vaughn looks at me. “They will send someone out to do a report. In the meantime, let’s think—who could have done this? Who would want to hurt you or Archie? Anyone come to mind?”
I shake my head, and tears well up again. “I don’t know. I can’t think straight. It feels so personal, as if someone wanted to hurt me.”
Vaughn steps closer, his expression softening. “Rachel, you’re not alone in this. We will figure it out together. I promise.”
His words soothe some of the tension in my chest, washing over me like a balm. I nod gratefully. I’ll hold onto that promise for now.
I sit in the stadium office, waiting for the police to arrive, an eerie feeling filling me. It’s quiet here, with muffled sounds of cheers from practice filtering through the walls. Tension lingers in the air as Vaughn speaks on the phone, trying to gather information about Archie or the break-in.
I look through the small window facing out to the locker room area. When Collins comes in, I see him, and my heart skips a beat. There’s something that’s not quite right. I can’t shake it. Recently, he’s been acting weird, and I wonder if it’s because of all the chaos surrounding Vaughn.
Curiosity gets the better of me, and I lean closer to the window. What is he doing here? I’m nervous about the way he’s looking around. Then I watch him reach into his bag and take out something small—a packet. I know what it is, and my stomach drops.
“No, no, no,” I whisper to myself, disbelief flooding through me. I grab my phone quickly, hitting record, the camera recording the scene unfolding in front of me.
One final time, Collins looks around to make sure no one is watching before he slips the packet into Vaughn’s locker. I watch the betrayal happening right in front of me, and my heart races. I can’t let this happen. Collins is destroying everything Vaughn has worked for, and I won’t let it be on my conscience.
As I’m about to step out and face him, Collins suddenly turns, and our eyes meet. He goes from being surprised to angry, and I feel panic welling up.
“Rachel!” he barks, his voice low and threatening. “What are you doing here?”
I quickly rush away from the window, my heart pounding as I sprint toward the exit. I can’t let him catch me. I need to get out of here and warn Vaughn.
“Stop!” Collins yells, his footsteps pounding behind me. I can hear him right behind me, adrenaline launching through my veins and making me run as fast as I can. He’s making me fly.
With my heart pounding in my chest, I run through the hallways toward the exit. Collins’s footsteps get louder in the narrow corridor. I can hear him gaining on me. Desperately, I burst through the main doors and out into the parking lot.
“Rachel, wait!” he calls, but I don’t stop. I can’t let him catch me. I fumble with my phone, trying to dial Vaughn’s number.
“Come on, come on,” I mutter under my breath as I run toward my car. In the distance, I can see my vehicle, but the thought of Collins closing in on me sends a fresh wave of panic through my body.
I fumble for my keys, my heart pounding in my chest, adrenaline surging. Collins’s footsteps are behind me, and I know I have to get away.
I jumped into my car, slamming the door shut and locking it just as Collins shouts in frustration. “You think you can escape?” he growls, his voice low and menacing. “You’re making a huge mistake!”
The engine roars to life as I turn the key in the ignition. Collins is already at my window, his face is a dark storm cloud. He yells angrily, his eyes filled with fury. “You can’t just run from this!”
“Get away from me!” I back out of the parking spot, screaming, my voice shaking.
Just as I press the gear into Drive, I see Collins shoot off to the side, his movements almost too quick. I can feel my heart racing, and I realize he’s trying to prevent me from leaving. I slam my foot on the accelerator, and the tires screech as I speed out of the lot.
“Rachel, no!” he shouts. I hear it, but I can’t stop now. I have to get away from Collins.
I drive through traffic, heart pounding in my ears, looking through the rearview mirror. His car weaves in and out of lanes, trying to catch up. Panic grips me, and I have to focus on the road in front of me.
I accelerate, and the streets blur past, trying to get as much distance as I can between us. I can see Collins’s car inching closer with every passing second. He is gaining ground. Adrenaline courses through my veins, a combination of fear and determination.
“Come on, come on,” I mutter to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I need to think of a plan. I can’t let him catch me.
I turn down a side street, going as sharply as possible, hoping to lose him in the maze. With the tires screeching and my heart pounding, I glance in the mirror once more. Somehow, Collins is still behind me, relentless and determined.
I press down on the accelerator, and in response, the engine roars. The world outside goes blurry as I concentrate on the road, but I can sense Collins’s pursuit like a shadow behind me.
“Think, Rachel, think!” I tell myself, looking for an escape route. Ahead, I spot a parking garage and get an idea. I slam the car into the entrance, steering into the winding structure, praying I could lose him.
I drive into the garage, the echo of my engine off the concrete walls growing louder and louder. I spin right, left, right, my heartbeat picking up as I wait to hear the sound of Collins’s car. I’ve got to think of somewhere he won’t think to find me.
I finally see an empty spot at the far end of the garage. I shut off the engine and listen as I pull in quickly, holding my breath. I hear tires screeching to a halt in the garage and see Collins’s headlights flash as he enters, searching for me.
I crouch down in my seat, my heart racing as he drives by. I feel the tension in my body, waiting for what feels like forever for him to pass.
I watch him speed out of the garage, frustration etched across his face as he drives away. A shaky breath leaves my lips, and relief floods me.
I get out of the parking garage, looking around to make sure nobody is behind me before heading to my apartment. I still have adrenaline pumping through my veins, but I’m not going to let fear do the talking for me. It’s time for me to take control, not just for me but for Vaughn.
I lock my doors and think about what I just saw in the locker room. I need to warn Vaughn about Collins; this isn’t over. I can feel determination starting to build. Collins’s threats won’t tear us apart, and I won’t let them. We are stronger together, and I am willing to fight for that.
Then, a car slows in front of my doorstep, cutting short my relief. I look out and realize it’s Collins. He must have known I was going home and tracked me here.
“Rachel!” he shouts, pounding on the window. “You can’t just run away from this.”
I quickly dial Vaughn’s number and hold my breath as the phone rings, praying he picks up.
“Come on, Vaughn,” I whisper, glancing up to see Collins pacing outside, his expression a mix of anger and frustration.
Finally, Vaughn answers. “Rachel, what’s going on?”
“Vaughn!” I say, trying not to let my fear take over. “You need to listen to me. I just saw Collins planting drugs in your locker!”
“What?” His voice is sharp, alarmed. “Are you sure?”
“Where are you? I’ll come to you,” he says, and I can hear the worry in his voice.
“Vaughn, he’s right outside my apartment!” I look nervously at the window. “I don’t know what he’ll do if he catches me.” Collins is pacing like a predator waiting for his prey.
“Just stay hidden and lock the doors,” Vaughn instructs, his voice calm but firm. “I’ll get there as quick as I can.”
I hung up the phone, my heart pounding, staring at Collins, who is looking around, his frustration turning to suspicion. I locked the doors earlier, and I am hiding behind a couch, where I can feel the weight of my fear pressing down on me.
“Rachel!” he calls again, his voice rising. “You can’t keep hiding. This is serious!”
“Stay away from me, Collins!” I shout back, my voice trembling with anger and fear.
I hide as he steps closer to the window, and I can see the menace in his eyes. “You have no idea what you’re up against, just waltzing in and ruining everything,” he growls.
“I’m protecting Vaughn!” I retort, my heart pounding. “You’re the one trying to sabotage him. You won’t get away with it!”
“Smart move, Rachel,” he sneers. “If you believe you can out me, you’re wrong.”
As he leans closer to the window, his expression darkens, and I feel a chill run down my spine. “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”