Chapter 20
TWENTY
Nate,Mike, and Cain stand at the front door, kissing me and telling me they love me.
“I’ll be back in an hour.” I can’t help but smile at their playful antics. Nate playfully slaps my ass. Before I leave the house, Cain grabs me, turns me around, and kisses me before he then releases me. Mike walks me to my nan’s car, a nostalgic scent enveloping me as I climb inside. His gentle kiss lingers on my lips, a tender reminder of his love and care, before he closes the car door behind me. I start the engine and the familiar purr of my nan’s old car fills the air, transporting me back to simpler times. I reach to turn on the radio and I realize with a chuckle that the car only has a cassette player. “Wow, this car is old,” I muse.
With a shrug, I set off the road towards town, the quiet streets unfolding before me.
Realizing I have time to spare, I take a leisurely walk to the pharmacy. The sun is warm against my skin as I stroll along the familiar streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the town I now call home.
I make my way through the alley toward the pharmacy and the familiar chime of the store bell announces my arrival. The lady behind the counter is occupied with customers, so I take the opportunity to browse the aisles, gathering the essential items I need.
After paying for my purchases, I walk back through the alley, the cool breeze brushing against my skin as I make my way to the hardware store. My phone buzzes with Rae’s name flashing on the screen. I answer with a smile, eager to catch up.
“Heya,” I greet
“Hi. You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m all good. How are you?” I reply.
“I am good. You might get some flowers delivered to the house this morning. Archie has sent
them. He still thinks I’m there. I’m trying to ghost him, but it’s so hard,” Rae confesses.
My heart skips a beat at her revelation.
“What...You told Archie the address?” I ask, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.
“Yeah, it’s only flowers, Tess…” Rae’s response is calm.
I can’t shake the feeling of unease that settles in the pit of my stomach.
“Wait, Rae, I’ll call you back,” I say hastily, ending the call before she can respond.
Panic surges through me as I hang up on Rae, my mind racing with the implications of Archie knowing my address. With trembling fingers, I go to call the guys, but before I can dial, a noise draws my attention.
Looking up from my phone, my heart skips a beat as I see a black car and two men in black suits standing at the end of the alley. Fear grips me as I begin to back away, my eyes locked with theirs, every instinct screaming for me to flee.
But before I can react, a noise behind me shatters the silence. Strong arms encircle me before I turn around, lifting me off my feet. My phone is swiftly taken from my grasp, and before I can utter a sound, a gloved hand covers my mouth, stifling any attempt at a scream.
Terror surges through me as I struggle against my captor, but their grip is unyielding. My heart pounds in my chest as I am drug backward, the world spinning in a blur of fear and confusion.
I kick my legs out, desperation fueling every movement. Another man in a black suit grabs hold of my legs, rendering my attempts at resistance futile. With terrifying efficiency, I am lifted and placed into the backseat of the car, the doors slamming shut and locking.
I am trapped between two imposing figures, but I continue to lash out, kicking and hitting with all the strength I can muster. But my efforts only seem to provoke further violence, and before I can react, a sharp slap lands across my face with stunning force.
Pain explodes across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth as my nose begins to bleed. Tears well in my eyes as I struggle to comprehend the horror of the situation, my heart pounding with fear and adrenaline.
We sit at the kitchen island, eating toast. Tessie’s absence gnaws at me, a nagging sense of unease clouding my mind.
Amara’s entrance breaks the silence, her Greek accent cutting through the tension like a knife. I acknowledge her with a nod.
“Hello, Amara,” Nate greets her.
I check my watch and realize it’s been over an hour since Tessie had left the house. My heart pounds in my chest as I address Amara, my voice trembling with worry.
“Is Tessie at the guesthouse then, Amara?” I ask. Dread fills me.
Confusion flickers across Amara’s face. “I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Cain,” she replies, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
My stomach churns with dread as I press further. “She was meant to meet you at the hardware store?” I question, desperation creeping into my voice.
Amara’s response hit me like a blow to the gut. “Oh, yes. She didn’t turn up. I assumed she forgot,” she admits, her words sending a shockwave of fear coursing through me.
Without hesitation, Nate, Mike, and I exchange a knowing glance, the unspoken fear between us driving us into action. Dropping everything in our hands, we bolt for the door, a sense of urgency propelling us forward as we race toward the Jeep. Our hearts pound with dread.
“Try calling her!” I shout at Nate.
“I’m trying. It’s going straight to voicemail!”
“I swear if Archie has done anything to her,” Mike says with rage.
We pile into the car. The air seems to crackle with tension, thick and palpable. My heart pounds against my chest like a caged animal.
The engine roars to life, but the sound seems distant, drowned out by the frantic drumming of my own heartbeat. Every bump in the road sent a jolt of anxiety coursing through me, each turn of the wheel accompanied by a sharp intake of breath. I can feel the weight of the unknown pressing down on us.
I can’t shake off this feeling of fear until I have the reassurance that she is secure and sound, nestled in the comfort of my arms.
If anything has happened to her, I couldn’t go on living.
As the blindfold is abruptly pulled away, the harsh light assaults my eyes, causing them to squint against the sudden onslaught. Blinking rapidly, I struggle to adjust to the brightness and I am disoriented and vulnerable in unfamiliar surroundings.
My hands, bound tightly behind my back, ache with the strain of captivity, the rough texture of the ropes digging into my flesh. I try to speak, to cry out, but the gag stifles any sound, leaving me mute and helpless.
Surveying my surroundings with growing dread, I take in the stark, cold concrete walls surrounding me. The air feels heavy with the weight of impending doom, each breath a struggle against the suffocating grip of fear.
There are four men in black suits. Their presence looms over me like a specter of menace, their inscrutable gazes piercing through me with chilling indifference.
Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision as a wave of terror washes over me. I am alone, defenseless against the unknown horrors that await me, trapped in a nightmare from which there seems to be no escape.
The gag is roughly pulled from my mouth, my throat raw from the sudden freedom. A raspy scream tears through the air, a desperate cry for release from the horrors unfolding before me. A brutal slap lands across my face, silencing me and leaving the metallic taste of blood on my lips.
The force of the blow sends shockwaves through my skull as stars explode behind my eyes.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I lift my head, determined not to let them break me. But before I can even gather my wits, another blow lands with savage force, the sharp sting of impact accompanied by a sickening crunch above my eye. A wave of dizziness washes over me, my vision swimming in a haze of crimson as blood trickles down my brow, pooling in the corner of my eye.
“What do you want from me?” I manage to cry.
The tension in the room thickens. The men just smirk at me, their intentions unclear and ominous. I then hear a distinct tap echoing against the solid steel door, drawing everyone’s attention.
With a creak, the door swings open, revealing an unexpected figure. Stepping into the dimly lit room is an older lady, her presence commanding despite her petite frame. Strands of silver-gray hair are arranged in an elegant updo, framing her face with a sense of authority. She’s clad in a tailored skirt suit, the fabric hinting at a touch of luxury.
Her sharp eyes sweep over the scene, carefully observing every detail. Her demeanor has a sense of purpose, as if she’s accustomed to navigating challenging situations with poise and confidence. As she strides forward, her heels click against the cold floor, starkly contrasting the oppressive silence in the room.
Will she save me?
“Help me,” I plead, my voice barely a whisper, my desperation bare before her.
Her gloved hand reaches out, cold and unyielding, as she tilts my chin upwards, forcing me to meet her steely gaze.
“Where are my sons?” she demands, her voice a low, menacing growl that sends a shiver down my spine.
“Wh…who?” I stutter, feeling the blood trickle down my face.
“Royce and Porter Ackley,” she replies in a stern tone.
The revelation hits me like a physical blow. The air feels like it has been sucked from my lungs as the older lady speaks the name of my rapists–-her own sons. Shock and disbelief wash over me. She looms over me, her presence now suffused with darkness. I can see the depths of her despair and the twisted loyalty that binds her to her sons. Her gaze has a chilling intensity, a darkness that seems to swallow everything in its path.
With a gulp, I realize the gravity of the situation.
Cain, Nate, and Mike, wherever you are, please find me before it’s too late.