29. Sam
I crash through the underbrush, my heart pounding in my ears. The beam of my flashlight dances wildly across the forest floor as I search frantically for any sign of her.
"Kim!" I shout, my voice hoarse with desperation. "Where are you?"
The night air is thick with humidity, clinging to my skin like a second layer. I push forward, ignoring the branches that whip at my face and arms. Nothing matters except finding her.
Then, I see it. A shape laying against the dark earth. I rush forward, nearly stumbling in my haste.
"Fuck," I breathe, dropping to my knees beside her still form. Kim lies crumpled on the ground, her clothes soaked through, mud streaking her beautiful face. My hands shake as I reach for her, terror gripping my chest.
"Kim, wake up," I mutter, gently turning her over. Her skin is ice-cold to the touch, and panic surges through me. I press my fingers to her neck, searching for a pulse. It's there, but weak and thready.
"Shit, shit, shit," I mutter, gathering her limp body into my arms. Her head lolls against my chest, and I've never felt so fucking helpless in my life. I need to get her warm, need to make sure she's okay.
This is why she shouldn't fucking leave like that.
I stand, cradling her close, and start moving as fast as I can through the trees. My car isn't far, thank God. Every second feels like an eternity as I pick my way carefully over roots and rocks, terrified of jostling her.
Finally, I break through the treeline. My Range Rover sits idling where I left it, the headlights cutting through the darkness. I fumble with the door handle, unwilling to let go of Kim for even a moment.
Once inside, I cradle her across my lap, her head tucked under my chin. I crank the heat, willing warmth back into her body. My shirt is getting soaked, but I couldn't give less of a shit about that right now.
"Come on, little dancer," I murmur into her hair, rocking slightly. "Open those beautiful eyes for me."
She doesn't stir, and fear claws at my insides. What if I was too late? What if she's seriously hurt? The thought of losing her makes me want to tear the world apart.
I drive back to the mansion, my eyes constantly flicking between the road and Kim's still form. The silence in the car is deafening, broken only by the occasional ragged breath from her unconscious body. My knuckles are white on the steering wheel, tension coiling through every muscle.
Finally, we arrive. I scoop her up, cradling her against my chest as I stride through the garage door. The house feels too big, too empty without her laughter echoing through it. I take the stairs two at a time, desperate to get her somewhere safe, somewhere warm.
In my bedroom, I gently lay her on the bed. Her clothes are filthy, caked with mud and leaves. I strip them off with careful hands, tossing them aside. My breath catches as I see the bruises forming on her perfect skin.
"Fuck, Kim," I mutter, running a finger along a particularly nasty-looking scrape on her arm. "What were you thinking?"
I grab a washcloth from the bathroom, wetting it with warm water. Returning to her side, I start cleaning away the dirt and grime. Her skin is still cold to the touch, and I work quickly, not wanting her to get chilled.
"You're okay now," I murmur as I work, even though she can't hear me. "I've got you. You're safe. With me."
Once she's clean, I rummage through my closet, pulling out one of my softest sweaters. It's massive on her small frame, but it'll keep her warm. I ease it over her head, then wrap her in a thick blanket for good measure.
Gathering her close, I settle us both on the bed. Her head rests on my chest, right over my heart. I run my fingers through her damp hair, marveling at how right this feels.
"You scared the shit out of me, little dancer," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Don't ever do that again. You belong here, with me. You should fucking see that now."
Once I have Kim, I call out for Kelsey. As usual, she appears like it's out of thin air. Poking her head into my room, she asks, "Do you need something, Mr. Warwick?"
"Kelsey, I need you to get Dr. Stentson here. Now."
"Yes, sir. I'll get right on it," Her voice is laced with concern, but she disappears immediately.
I turn my attention back to Kim, still unconscious in my arms. My chest tightens as I watch the shallow rise and fall of her breathing. Fuck, she looks so small, so fragile.
The minutes drag by like hours until finally, there's a knock at the door. Dr. Stentson enters, his medical bag in hand.
"Sam, what's the emergency?" he asks, his eyes already scanning Kim's prone form.
"She was out in the woods, fell and hit her head. She's been unconscious for..." I glance at my watch, "Almost an hour now."
Dr. Stentson nods, moving to Kim's side. I hover nearby, every muscle in my body tense as I watch him examine her.
"Pupils are equal and reactive," he murmurs, shining a light in her eyes. "No signs of serious head trauma."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "So she's okay?"
"She'll be fine, Sam," Dr. Stentson assures me, packing up his equipment. "She's got a mild concussion and some bruising, but nothing life-threatening. Keep her warm and comfortable. She should wake up soon."
Relief washes over me, but it's quickly replaced by a surge of anger. "She shouldn't have fucking run off like that," I growl.
Dr. Stentson raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment. "Call me if her condition changes," he says, heading for the door.
As soon as he's gone, I'm back at Kim's side, my hand finding hers. Her skin is warmer now, and I can see color returning to her cheeks.
"You hear that, little dancer?" I murmur, brushing a stray curl from her face. "You're gonna be just fine. But don't you ever scare me like that again."
I spend the next few hours alternating between pacing the room and sitting by her side. Every small movement, every twitch of her fingers, has me on high alert.
Finally, as the first light of dawn starts to creep through the windows, Kim stirs. Her eyelids flutter, and a small groan escapes her lips.
"Kim?" I'm at her side in an instant, cupping her face gently. "Can you hear me?"
Her eyes open slowly, unfocused at first. Then they lock onto mine, and I feel like I can breathe again for the first time in hours.
Relief floods through me as Kim's eyes finally open. The tightness in my chest eases, and for a moment, I'm breathless with joy.
"Kim," I breathe, cupping her face gently. "Thank God. How are you feeling?"
She blinks slowly, her gaze unfocused. Then her eyes lock onto mine, and I wait for... something. Anything. Confusion, fear, anger - hell, I'd even take her yelling at me right now.
But there's nothing. Her face is a blank mask, brown eyes staring right through me.
"Kim?" I try again, my thumb brushing her cheek. "Can you hear me? Say something, little dancer."
Silence. She doesn't even flinch at the nickname.
Unease creeps up my spine. "Come on, talk to me. You scared the shit out of me."
Still nothing. Not a word, not a sound. Just those empty eyes boring into mine.
"Fuck," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "Kim. Just... say anything."
The silence stretches on, suffocating. I can feel my pulse quickening, frustration building with each passing second.
"What the hell is this?" I demand, my voice rising. "You run off into the woods, nearly get yourself killed, and now you're giving me the silent treatment?"
I stand abruptly, pacing the room. My hands clench and unclench at my sides, a low growl building in my throat.
"I saved your ass out there," I snap, whirling back to face her. "The least you could do is fucking acknowledge me."
But Kim just lies there, watching me with those maddeningly blank eyes. It's like she's looking straight through me, like I don't even exist.
"Goddamnit!" I slam my fist against the wall, relishing the sharp sting of pain. At least that's real. "What do you want from me?"
The question hangs in the air, unanswered. I feel like I'm losing my mind. How can she just lie there, so still and quiet, when I'm falling apart?
"Fine," I spit out, stalking towards the door. "You want to play games? Two can do that."
I pause at the threshold, half-hoping she'll call out, beg me to stay. But there's only silence.
With a growl of frustration, I slam the door behind me.