Forever Found (Lost #3)

CHAPTER 20

ADDY

My rumbling stomach woke me up. I was still laid in Jordans arms, just as I’d been when we fell asleep. He’d been at the cabin with me for two days now and it had been amazing. We’d had sex last night too, and I couldn’t seem to get enough of him, or the incredible way he brought me to life with his magical touch. The sex had been awesome, and the idea that I had feared it seemed ridiculous to me now, but I guessed that was just because it was Jordan, and I trusted him deeply.

We’d spent some quality time together too, watching movies, making dinner, and going out for brisk walks in the snow. Eli had driven into town and bought toboggans for us all that day, and we’d spent the whole afternoon racing down a large hill, not far from the cabin. It had been such childlike fun and I’d loved sharing every second of it with Eli and Jordan. In those two days I hadn’t had any nightmares or flashbacks. When my anxiety started to rear up, Jordan had been right there, holding me, or making me smile, chasing away the darkness with his light. It had been perfection, and I had tried not to allow any of my worries to creep in and ruin it. I just wanted one weekend to be normal.

“Princess? Nightmare?” Jordan uttered sleepily as I started to pull myself rom his hold.

“No. No nightmares. I’m just hungry. I worked up an appetite,” I told him playfully as I leaned over him and kissed the end of his nose. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back.”

“’kay, but eat plenty. I plan to make you work up that appetite again in the morning,” he told me with a sleepy smile. I smiled too as I slid from his hold and climbed out of bed. The cabin was warm, so I just pulled on Jordan’s t-shirt and my panties, not bothering with my robe. I left the room and tiptoed down the stairs, not wanting to wake Eli, grateful for the lights one of the guys had the forethought to leave on downstairs for me.

I didn’t turn any more lights on as I crept into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. The small lights under the cabinets were enough for me to see what I was doing, along with the glaring light from the refrigerator.

I pulled out some cheese and some grapes, then a knife so I could cut a few slices of the cheese for myself. It was so unlike me to be hungry, especially in the night. I smiled as I realized I likely had worked up an appetite with Jordan before we fell asleep wrapped around each other. I could definitely get used to that.

I had to climb onto the counter to reach a plate from the high cabinet, but once I had it I set to work putting a small bunch of green grapes on my plate, then I cut a few slices of the cheddar Eli had picked up from a little deli in the town.

I paused mid slice when I heard a crash from outside, but I didn’t think much of it. We were in the woods after all, and the trash had already been raided once by some wildlife when Eli didn’t put the lid on the can properly.

Once I had what I wanted I grabbed the leftover food and loaded it back into the refrigerator, then grabbed a can of soda and moved to the counter to sit down.

Ash had told us he’d be back the next day, and while I was looking forward to him being with us again, I worried Jordan would leave as soon as he had his Jeep back. It was enough to make me contemplate returning home too. At least then I’d be with Jordan, but it also meant I’d have to face Kane and Adam and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that devastation.

I shook my head as I told myself I was having one weekend without worrying. All of this would be waiting for me soon enough. I needed to take this time to enjoy the beautiful place I was in and the great people I was with.

I popped a grape into my mouth and looked out through the huge front window at the lake. The only light came from the full moon above but it was enough to show me the slight glimmer and movement of the water, and the sway of the tall trees in the wind. It really was the most beautiful place I had ever been and I had loved being there, even with the bitter weather and so much snow.

I was just finishing up, ready to cuddle up back in my warm bed with Jordan when movement outside caught my eye. My heart pounded as I froze in place and stared out of the window, but it wasn’t an animal, as I expected to see. There was a man outside, looking around the car on the drive. Instinctively I slid from my stool and dropped to my hands and knees on the floor. I crawled over to the side of the sofa and peeked out enough to see the guy was still there. He had a hat or something on, and it was too dark to make out any details, but he was bending to do something under the driver’s side of the car. My panic only rose as another figure appeared and approached the first. Who were they? Were they the maintenance guys for the cabin? I quashed that thought as fast as it came. Why the heck would maintenance guys come in the middle of the night and be messing with our rental car?

I was frozen in place, watching the both of them as they seemed to talk to each other, then they moved around the cabin again, heading for the back, I guessed. It was the terror that they’d try to get in through the back doors that had me moving finally. I crawled to the stairs, then ran for my life, leaping up the steps three and four at a time.

“Jordan!” I cried as loud as I dare as I burst into my room gasping. Tears were running down my face and I couldn’t stop shaking.

“Addy?” Jordan sat straight up and looked to me with fear. “What is it? What happened?” He was already on his feet, hurrying to me where I stood frozen. “Fuck, you’re freezing,” he hissed as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him.

“There…there’s men outside…two guys. They w-went round the back,” I spewed out all at once. “I saw them…two men.”

“Two men outside? You’re sure?” he asked as he moved me towards the window which faced the lake.

“I’m sure. Who are they?” I asked shakily as I clung to him.

“Fuck!” Jordan hissed as he dropped the slat of the blind he peaked under and stepped back. “There’s a car at the end of the lane. We have to wake Eli. Where’s your phone, Addy?” he asked as he held me at arm’s length and looked to me for an answer. I pointed to where it sat on the nightstand and Jordan let go of me long enough to reach for it.

“I need you to call Ash, okay? And get some clothes on too. I don’t know what we’re gonna do, but it’ll be easier if you’re dressed,” he told me in hushed tones. “I need to grab clothes and wake Eli. Can you call Ash for me?” he asked, and I nodded again as I took my cell from him and held it in my trembling hands.

“I’ll be right back,” he whispered, then he was gone and I just stood shaking and staring out of the open bedroom door. My cell in my hand reminded me what I had to do, and I gave myself a shake as I unlocked the screen and dialed Asher’s contact, my hands trembling badly.

As it rang I started pulling clothes from the closet, not even taking notice of what they were. I was already pulling on a pair of jeans when Ash finally picked up.

“Addy?” he rasped sleepily.

“Th-there’s someone outside,” I whispered. “Jordan t-told me to call you…two men a-and a car outside,” I babbled as I collapsed onto my bed with my jeans only half on.

“What? I can hardly hear you, sweetheart. Did you say someone’s at the cabin?”

“Two men. They left their car at the end of the lane,” I said, my whole body shaking so hard I could hardly hold the phone.

“Where’s Jordan?”

“Waking Eli. I h-have to get dressed.”

“Put me on speaker while you get dressed, Addy. It’s going to be okay. Eli and Jordan can handle this,” he told me as I hit the speaker button and dropped the phone to the bed. I was on autopilot as I pulled on the jeans, then grabbed the sweater I chose and pulled that over Jordan’s t-shirt.

“Grab some shoes for me, princess. Did you call Ash?” Jordan asked as he reappeared before me, now dressed in sweats and a hoody. Eli was behind him, fully dressed too.

“Shoes, right,” I whispered as I passed him to go to my closet, grabbing my boots. I pulled them on blindly, not even thinking about the laces.

“Jordan, what the fuck?” Asher snapped over the phone.

“There’s a car outside. I already took the plate, but I don’t know how many men are out there. Addy said she saw two, but it could be more. I checked downstairs, but no one’s tried to get inside,” Jordan explained.

“Not yet,” Asher said and I couldn’t hold in my whimper. What if there were more men out there, and they got in? What if they killed us, killed Jordan and Eli? What if it was Max and Josephs men, come for me again?

“No one’s going to hurt you, Addy,” Eli soothed as he pulled me into his arms and held me tightly.

“Are there any weapons in the house?” Jordan asked.

“A rifle in the mud room. There’s a gun safe hidden in the wall beside the back door. The code’s the same as the access code. Do you know how to use a rifle?” Asher asked.

“Not really. Eli and I only ever fired handguns at the range with you,” Jordan said.

“Fuck! I never should have left you there!” Ash yelled and I pressed tighter against Eli as a sob slipped from me.

“Ash, calm the fuck down. Addy’s terrified. We have to do something!” Eli hissed angrily.

“Get the rifle and all the ammo. Barricade yourselves into Addy’s room. Anyone comes through the door you take them out. I’ll call the local police, but they’re miles from you right now,” Asher ground out.

“Stay here. I’ll grab the gun,” Jordan said, then he was gone and I tried hard to keep it together, terrified about him being down there alone.

“Deep breaths, shortcake. We’re going to be okay. I can handle myself, remember, and Jordan’s almost as good as me. We won’t let anyone get to you,” Eli soothed.

“Eli, keep me on speaker. I’m grabbing Kane and Adam and we’re heading to you.”

“You’re hours away, Ash,” Eli sighed.

“I know, but at least we can get the three of you out of there and someplace safe when we arrive.”

“We sh-should go down stairs. What if…if they got in? Jordan c-could be hurt,” I uttered shakily.

“He’ll be back any second, Addy. He’s okay. He had to open the gun safe and grab everything. He’s coming,” Eli soothed.

“Ad, wake up. We have to go. Get dressed,” Asher barked.

“What’s going on?” I heard Adam’s voice, and another sob escaped me just to hear him.

“Someone’s at the cabin where I left the others. We have to get to them,” Asher said, then it sounded like he was running.

“Help me barricade the door,” Jordan gasped as he ran into the room with a huge gun in his hands and a box of bullets under his arm.

“Jordan,” I whispered with relief.

“I’m here, beautiful. We’re gonna be okay.” He lowered the gun as he leaned in and held my head just long enough to kiss my forehead.

“You see anything?” Eli asked as he held onto me and led me to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Yeah, two guys out back. They’re trying to bypass the security system. I heard them right outside the mudroom, working on the access panel.”

“Oh god,” I gasped.

“Sshh, Addy. It’s okay. Eli and I can take down two guys if it comes to it, and we have the gun. We’ll protect you,” Jordan tried to soothe.

“I don’t care about me. I care about the two of you,” I told them.

“This is a bad idea,” Eli said as he stopped trying to move the dresser away from the wall.

“What do you mean?” Jordan asked.

“If they get inside, our best chance is to take them by surprise.”

“Eli, no! Just do as I told you and barricade yourself in the bedroom!” Asher snapped.

“Think about it, “ Eli continued as he looked to Jordan. “If they get in here and we’re laying in wait, we can take them down without the gun, or the risk of it going off in the wrong direction. It’s unlikely these guys are faster than us in hand to hand.”

“What about Addy?” Jordan questioned as he looked to me with panic.

“We hide her. They don’t know we’ve seen them. We make it look like she’s in the bed, and we lure them in here. It’s better than them smashing their way in and knowing we’re ready for them.”

“Eli, dammit! Just listen. I don’t want you going up against these guys at all. The cops are on the way. You just need to buy time,” Asher cried desperately.

“What guys?” I heard Kane demand. “What’s happened?”

“Get dressed. We need to move now!” Asher told him.

“Is it Addy?”

“Someone turned up at the cabin I left the others at. Police have been called but I want to get there fucking now!” Asher barked.

I heard Kane curse, and I wished like hell he was there with me in that moment. I wished they all were. If this whole thing went badly I may never get the chance to tell Kane and Adam how sorry I was for the way things had gone, and how much I would always love them, no matter whether we were together or not.

“It makes sense, Jord. It’s the best plan we have. The cops are miles out. Who knows how long it will take them to get out here,” Eli said as he looked between Jordan and I.

“Yeah, okay,” Jordan sighed as he looked at me again. His face was so serious and I saw fear there too. “He’s right, Addy. Taking the bastards by surprise is all we have right now.”

“If they get in,” I reminded him. “The police…they must be close, right?”

“Right. And Asher said the security on this cabin is tight, so it will take time to bypass it, I’m guessing,” Eli assured me, even if he didn’t quite sound believable.

“Just in case, we need you to hide, princess. You’re gonna take the gun too,” Jordan said as he picked up the long rifle from the bed.

“What? No!” I cried. “I d-don’t even know how to use it.”

“I’m gonna show you, and you’re gonna use it if anyone gets past Eli and I, you hear me?”

“Oh God!” I whimpered as I looked between the two of them with watery eyes. “Why is this happening again?” I squeaked.

“We don’t have time to think about that now. We just have to do all we can to keep you safe until the police arrive,” Eli said as Jordan hurried forwards and pulled me into his arms.

“We’re all going to be okay. I need you to believe that. Eli and I can protect ourselves and you,” he told me softly as he held me tightly.

“I…I know,” I nodded as I tried to pull back my tears. I knew how weak I was. I should be stronger, ready to fight whoever came into that cabin just the way Eli and Jordan were, but I was scared, again! These things continued to happen to me, and it was just too much. I couldn’t handle risking anyone I loved again, and I definitely couldn’t cope with the idea of them getting to me and taking me back to the hell I had barely escaped. “I know,” I repeated as I forced a deep breath into my lungs. “I saw Eli in action. We c-can do this,” I added shakily, working hard to pull myself together.

“We can,” Eli nodded with a strained smile. Just as I started to allow myself to breathe there was the sound of scuffling downstairs and we all froze.

“Shit!” Jordan whispered as he released me and moved closer to the door to listen. There was an utter of a voice and we all knew the men were inside now.

“What’s going on?” Asher asked and Eli dove for the phone, his voice carrying through the loud speaker.

“They’re in the house,” Eli whispered so low I wasn’t sure Ash would even hear him. “Don’t speak again until I give the all clear.”

“We have to move,” Jordan said as he grabbed my arm and pulled slightly. We tiptoed to the adjoining bathroom and Jordan pointed to the deep, claw foot tub, which I climbed into. “The gun is loaded and ready to go.” Jordan said as he handed it to me. “Get low and keep it aimed at the door. If anyone comes through it, you shoot them without hesitation.”

“What if it’s you guys…o-or the police?”

“You’ll know if it’s us or the police. We’ll call through the door before we open it. So will the cops. I need you to do this, Addy. I need you to stay safe for me,” he whispered as he leaned in and cupped the right side of my face.

“I need you and Eli to be safe too!” I hissed.

“I love you so fucking much,” he told me instead of answering me. He pressed a long, lingering kiss to my lips, then he got to his feet and started out of the small room.

“Jord!” I said as loud as I dare, and I was more relieved than I could say when he turned back to me. “I love you.” We shared a second, just taking in each other. Jordan smiled weakly. I knew he was as worried as me, and it was starting to show.

“Be right back, babe,” he told me with a wink, then he left the room, closing the door behind him.

The silence that descended around me after the slight snick of the bathroom door shutting was absolutely terrifying. I was shaking so hard I worried someone would hear it, so I tensed every muscle in my body and made my breaths as shallow as I possibly could, so scared, I wasn’t sure I was even breathing.

Tears continued to fill my eyes and I had to keep swiping at them, needing my vision clear in case I actually had to use the gun I was clutching way too hard in front of me, pointed right at the center of the doorway. I had no idea if I’d even be able to pull the trigger if it came to it, but I had to be ready. If one of those intruders got past my guys to me, I would have to take them out and leave the bathroom to try and help Jordan and Eli. That determination was the only thing forcing me to keep myself together as much as I was.

I don’t know how much time passed, but it felt like years, not minutes. The shaking in my body wouldn’t stop and my heart continued to race. Then the silence was pierced by two quiet ‘pop’ sounds. I didn’t know what it was, but right after that, all hell broke loose and there was banging and crashing. I could feel the floor beneath the tub moving with the force of what ever was going on right outside the bathroom door, and occasionally there would be grunts I knew were coming from Jordan and Eli, because I knew their voices well enough to recognize even that slight sound.

The shaking of my body grew worse and my sweaty hands were struggling to hold the gun steady. I wanted to burst out there and make sure Jordan and Eli were safe. I wanted it all to be over and for Jordan to just hold me. I wanted to cower and hide, terrified a stranger would open that door, and I would be forced to shoot them.

“ELI!” Jordan yelled so loud it took my breath away. A huge crash and the sound of glass breaking followed, then things seemed to go quieter. I listened as hard as I could, terrified what would happen next. Was Eli hurt? Why would Jordan yell like that? Was he dead? Oh God! I couldn’t breathe as the scenarios ran through my mind over and over again. Why was it so quiet? I debated if I should go out there, but all I could hear was Jordan telling me not to open the door until they came for me. But the fight had stopped and Eli and Jordan weren’t coming for me! Was that because they were too hurt to move? Had they been shot?

I couldn’t just sit there any longer, so I got to my feet very slowly and carefully, and stepped out of the tub one foot at a time, the whole time keeping the gun up and ready to fire. I couldn’t take the risk Jordan and Eli were laid somewhere, bleeding out. I had to find them.

I opened the door of the bathroom just enough for me to peek out, and I was surprised to find my room almost as I had left it, except the bed had been made to look like someone laid in it, pillows under the comforter. It was dark, so I couldn’t make out much, but near the door there was a smashed picture that had hung on the wall above. There was no sign of anyone, and around me was complete silence.

I moved cautiously, the rifle held out before me, the butt rested against my shoulder, the way I had seen people use it on television programs. As I made my way to the door I paused at my phone, still laid on the foot of the bed and I picked it up, taking the call off of speaker.

“Ash?” I whispered as I pressed it between my shoulder and cheek and placed both hands back on the gun.

“Addy? What happened?” Ash demanded.

“I…I don’t know. Everyone’s gone and it’s silent. Jordan made me hide,” I told him as quietly as I could, my eyes and the gun remaining fixed on the open bedroom door before me.

“Where are you now?”

“My bedroom. I w-was in the bathroom,” I answered, my words trembling no matter how I tried not to let them.

“Addy, go back to the bathroom and lock the door, right now,” Kane hissed urgently.

“Kane?” I squeaked.

“Adam’s here too. You’re on speaker,” Ash told me. I wanted to break down and talk to them both. I wanted to tell them I loved them and beg them to come and be there with me, but I didn’t have time for any of that. I had to find Eli and Jordan.

“Wh-where are the police?” I asked instead.

“They should be there by now,” Ash replied.

“They’re not. I have to find the others.”

“Addy, no. Kane’s right. Jord and Eli would want you to stay safe. Go back to the bathroom,” Asher snapped.

“I h-have a gun. I have to find them.”

“Addy, listen to me!” Kane hissed angrily. “You’re going to….”

“I’ll call you when I find them,” I cut in, then I ended the call, dropping the phone into my hand and shutting it off. I knew they wanted me to be safe, but how could I hide away when Jordan and Eli were nowhere to be seen?

I slid the cell phone into the back pocket of my jeans and then took a firm hold of the gun again, before moving very slowly and cautiously into the hallway.

I realized the fighting I had heard must have happened primarily out there, because every picture was knocked from the wall and lay in pieces on the floor. There were marks on the cream walls and the window at the end of the long hall was smashed through, the snow and wind whistling in through it.

I moved towards the window and looked out, gasping when I saw a body laid on the snow below, blood staining the white below his splayed body. I just stared, frozen for a moment as I tried to make my brain work enough to realize it wasn’t Jordan or Eli laid there, likely dead.

I took a deep breath, not allowing myself to freak out, or the memories that were pushing to play in my mind, to run free. The fear and the blood below were bringing things up I didn’t have time to deal with right then. That meltdown would need to wait.

I was less than halfway down the stairs, dodging more smashed glass from broken pictures and the huge mirror that had been on the wall at the halfway landing, when I saw Jordan’s arm from around the corner. He was on the floor and he wasn’t moving.

“Jordan!” I whispered way too loud as I ran down the rest of the stairs, not even thinking of the glass covering them, just needing to get to Jordan. I lost my footing on the third, my unlaced boots making me clumsy and I landed hard on my ass, slamming my arm into the step behind me and almost dropping the rifle, but in my panic to get to Jord I just clung to the gun and slid down the last few steps to get to him. I didn’t even stand at the bottom, dropping the gun on the floor and crawling as fast as I could over to where Jordan lay on his back, his eyes closed.

“Jordan!” I gasped as I knelt beside him and pressed my hands around his face. He had a swollen cheek and there was blood on his arms from several deep cuts. “Wake up! Jordan wake up!” I frantically hissed as I moved my hand to his neck and felt for his pulse. I lay my other hand on his chest and sobbed with relief when I felt it moving up and down. He was alive, just knocked out.

I didn’t know what I should do first to help him, but I froze when I heard a loud roar come from outside. I turned to the windows and squinted to see in the darkness. When my eyes adjusted, I could just make out Eli, right out front on the drive, fighting with someone. The stranger was broader than Eli and slightly taller, but he seemed to be the one backing off from Eli’s attack, rather than attacking back.

Without thought I got to my feet and grabbed the rifle from where I had dropped it at the foot of the stairs. I moved to the back of the house, opened the door, and fired a shot at the tree directly opposite me. I tried to fire another, but the gun just clicked and nothing happened.

“Useless!” I hissed as I dropped the gun to the floor and ran back to the front. The shot had done what I hoped it would anyway, and startled the stranger. The fight had stopped and the larger guy was running to his car. I stared as he turned the thing fast and sped off, then I looked for Eli in the dark, but I couldn’t see him.

Panicked, I ran to the front door and threw it open, ready to run out and find him, but I didn’t need to.

“Eli!” I cried when I found him at the foot of the steps, clutching the rail and hunched over. He lifted his head and blood was pouring from his nose.

“I’m okay,” he gasped. “Jord?”

“He’s out, but he’s breathing,” I assured him as I ran down the steps, trying hard not to trip on my boots, and wrapped his free arm around my shoulders.

“Where the fuck are the police?” Eli hissed as we started up the steps. He was clearly in pain, but he got up the steps and into the house without leaning on me as much as I wished he would.

“Ash said they should be here by now,” I told him as I led him into the kitchen. He leant on the counter and seemed steady so I dropped down to my knees to check on Jordan again.

“Where’s the phone. He’ll be worried sick.”

“Here. I turned it off.” I pulled the cell from my pocket and held it out to me.

“Why’d you do that?”

“They were yelling at me to hide,” I shrugged.

“You should have listened.”

“Don’t you start too, Eli. There was no way I was staying hidden when I had no idea if the two of you were even still alive!” I snapped. I leaned over Jordan and tapped his face softly, needing him to wake up. “Jordan? Wake up for me, please.”

A cry of relief burst from me when his eyes started to flutter, then he groaned loudly, obviously in pain.

“Jordan?” At the sound of my voice his eyes opened and looked right at me. Next thing I knew he’d clumsily wrapped his arm around the back of my neck and was pulling me closer to kiss me. He kissed my lips twice, then pressed kisses to anywhere on my face he could reach, making me cry and laugh all at once.

“I’m fine,” I told him as I tried to pull back so I could check on him.

“Don’t go,” he rumbled as he tried to keep a hold on me.

“I’m not, but you’re bleeding. I need to get you cleaned up at least,” I told him.

“Eli?”

“Right here, brother. I’m good,” Eli called out, breathlessly.

“Help me sit up, princess,” Jordan croaked as he held his hand out to me. I grabbed it and pulled, helping him to a sitting position. He groaned again, but once he was up he seemed steady. “What happened?” he asked, as he rubbed at the back of his head.

“You got knocked out. I managed to get the fucker outside, but he got away,” Eli explained as he lifted my cell to his ear. “I need to call Ash. He’ll be losing it.”

“The cops?” Jord questioned.

“Not here yet.” I got to my feet and winced as pain throbbed from my thighs and my right arm, but it was nothing bad. Pushing it aside I hurried to the kitchen to grab some clean dish towels. When I got back to Jordan I pressed them to the deep cut on his right arm that was still bleeding pretty badly.

“Ash! Calm the hell down. We’re all whole!” Eli yelled into the phone.

“What happened?” I asked as I turned back to Jordan and nodded to the three deep slashes on his arms. There were two on his right and one on his left.

“The guy had a knife. They were trained professionals I think. They knew what they were doing,” he told me as he reached up his free hand, which trembled slightly, and ran it through my hair.

“There were two of them?”

“Yeah. Eli kicked one out of the window, so I’m pretty sure he’s dead. The other he said got away.”

“What did they want?” I asked. Jordan’s face dropped as he stared at me with hesitation and fear. It told me the answer without him uttering a word.

“Addy…”

“Me, right? They came for me?”

“Yeah,” he nodded reluctantly. “They headed right for your room, and they shot two silenced bullets right where your chest would have been if you were in the bed.”

“They came to kill me. How did they know th-that was my room?” I questioned, like that was the most important point in all he had told me. I was freaking out though, so handing the most trivial details seemed easier.

“Maybe they already came in the house? I don’t know, princess.”

“So it…it’s n-not over, is it?” I asked, the last words turning into a high squeak as my throat tightened and tears poured down my cheeks.

“I don’t know that either, but I promise you we will keep you safe.” He pulled me into his arms and I went willingly, the towel I had been holding dropping between us as I pressed myself against him and tried hard not to fall apart. Someone out there wanted me dead. I couldn’t afford to crumble until I was somewhere much safer, and the people I cared for were protected too.

I gave myself a couple of minutes in his arms, then I pulled back, swiping away my tears and pulling in deep breaths. “Your arm. We have to stop the bleeding,” I told him.

Before he could say anything else the sound of sirens, speeding towards us, rang out. Eli was still talking to Ash and the others on my phone, but he got to his feet and headed for the front door as blue and red lights lit the darkness out front. Better late than never, I told myself weakly.