19
“Take it easy honey.” My father says as he helps guide me up the stairs. Five days have passed since I was found. Five days have passed since I drank that vial. My father holds my hand as the two of us make our way into my room. I was knocked out for two of those five days. Which confirms that I was indeed held at the warehouse for sixteen days like Xavier said the first day I met him. I’m not sure why that conversation occupies my mind right now, but it does. He does.
I told the police about the warehouse. I told them about the night I was taken. I told them the truth about my abduction, every detail. Truth is, I know I couldn’t tell them about Xavier—the man that saved me. That will forever always be our little Jack and Rose secret. I feel like Rose, rescued from a life she didn’t want, a life she didn’t ask for. Rescued by a man that she would never see again.
I sigh as I sit on the edge of my bed. I haven’t been back here since the night I was taken. I flashback to the three of us girls laughing and dancing in this very room as we got ready. Got ready for our fate. I dry heave and my father quickly hands me the trash can that’s under my desk. I throw up the hospital breakfast as I think back on that day. It makes me sick. Alex laughed and danced with Grace and me knowing full–and–well what was going to happen that night.
“Here, lay down honey.” My father props up the pillows on my bed as I lay down. He and my mother haven’t asked me anything about that night or about the time I was gone. If they only knew half of that time I was shaking up with the man who saved me or killing people that took part in my abduction. I dry heave again. Except this time, I’m not disgusted with Alex, I’m disgusted with myself.
“I’m going to get you something bland to eat. I’ll be right back, okay?” My father says and I nod. I close my eyes. I wish this was a dream. I wish that night never happened. I wish I met Xavier at the club that night instead. But who am I kidding, wishing for something—someone I can’t have can be disastrous.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I open my eyes as I see my mother carrying a plate full of crackers and a banana. My heart sinks seeing her carry a plate with crackers on it. I shake my head repeatedly, “No, please get me something else.” I continue to shake my head. I’m thrown back into the warehouse. I hear the three locks. I see the old Middle-Eastern-looking man slide me a plate full of crackers. My heart pumps hard and loud, it hurts my ears. My face squints in pain as I try my hardest to get rid of this flashback, but I can’t help but see the man as he stands over me while I gaze down at the crackers.
“Honey. Shhh.” My mother sits beside me on the bed. “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay. Shhh…” I hear her voice break. I burst out into a quiet sob. “I’ll get you something else.” She kisses me on the forehead before she hurries off down the hallway. I’m not sure why something so small triggered something so dark and so raw. I try to think of something else, something calming and peaceful, but the first thought that comes to mind is Xavier.
I flashback to the two of us laughing in the shower. The comfort outweighs the pain. I flashback to him holding me under the covers in Mexico and I swallow hard.
Okay, maybe that just made everything a little worse.
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“Good morning,” Logan says as he walks into my room. I feel my bed dip down before I open my eyes. I’ve had no desire to get out of bed the last two days. Besides going to the bathroom.
“Hey,” I say sitting up. I pull the covers up to my chest.
“Did she say yes?” I ask and his green eyes hold mine.
“I couldn’t ask her. We were too busy hoping and praying that you would be okay.” He says which makes my eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry Logan.” I shake my head.
“Why the hell are you sorry? It’s not like you asked to be kidnapped.” He chuckles under his breath. “I know, but it just screwed everything up,” I say.
“Ya think?” He laughs and I do too. He sits there on the edge of my bed quietly. I know he’s probably waiting for me to say something about being gone or about Alex and Grace. But I can’t. I can’t go down that road right now. It’s still too soon.
────
The next morning, I woke up feeling different. I look around at my room and notice nothing has changed. Except the small bag of hospital items that are now sitting on my desk. My mom must have put that there when I was sleeping.
My feet sink into my pink shag rug. I wiggle my toes around as a smile dances its way across my face. I’m home. I’m really home.
I walk towards my desk and untie the white bag. I pull out my shirt and my sweatpants and when I do, something falls onto the floor. I hear the clink of metal against the hardwood floors. When I bend down my heart sinks. I hold the gold chain up in the air as a diamond lotus flower pendant sparkles in the sunlight. Tears fill my eyes as I hold it up and stare at it.
“Sometimes we have to take a step back and really let those feelings of life’s disappointments and resentments sink in. Then just like a lotus flower, we rise from the mud. We rise from what was meant to destroy us, what was meant to dismantle us. We rise and we bloom.”
I flashback clear-as-day to Xavier and me sitting on the beach. Those words will always stay with me. It’s like they are etched into my soul. Such true meaning behind those powerful words. Tears fall down my cheeks as I slowly put the necklace on. He must have put this in my pocket during our last night together. I close my eyes as my fingers trail over the pendant. Knowing Xavier, these are very expensive diamonds. As my fingers trail over them, I smile. I’m not sure why I felt closer to him as soon as I put this on, but I did.
I make my way towards the window and peer out at my neighborhood. Tall maple trees line the roads as well as old craftsman-style homes. Mrs. Whiten is tending to her garden. Nothing has changed here. Nothing, but me.