Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Cora
The sound of things being slammed around upstairs wakes me.
I’m shocked I could sleep at all; it’s freezing down here.
I stare at the window across the room and take in the broken pane.
I’ll probably get hypothermia at this rate.
I fell asleep for a few hours, but there’s still a bit of sunlight coming in the window.
The urge to escape is overwhelming. I have no idea what’s going on with Noah, and if it snows like they say it will, I don’t want to be stranded. The cuff around my ankle has rubbed the skin raw, and the only progress I’ve made is scratching the surface.
My finger throbs, and I grimace when I look at it.
I tried resetting it, but who knows if it worked.
It’s swollen, angry looking, and bruised.
I’ve been down here for hours, but I’m worried that no one realizes.
A dull throb has taken up inside my head and makes me wonder if I have a concussion.
I’m grateful it’s getting darker; the small bit of light from the hanging bulb feels blinding.
Tucking my feet back under me, my mind drifts to Atlas. I’ve tried to avoid thinking about him, but I don’t know how this is all going to turn out. I was so mad at him over Thanksgiving, but now I wonder if I should have demanded an explanation.
He has some issues, and is still battling his own demons, but he did seem happy with us. He drew or helped Noah with homework on countless evenings and became a fixture in our lives.
He fit in so perfectly, like there was always supposed to be a spot for him. He made our little family feel more complete. You can’t fake that, right?
If I make it out of here in one piece, I’m going to talk to him.
I owe him an apology for freezing him out.
If he really doesn’t want to be any part of our lives, then fine, he doesn’t have to.
A nervous feeling tugs at me when I realize I let my fears take over.
I don’t want him to feel trapped, but we’re a package deal.
My biggest fear is falling hard and having Atlas realize that I’m not worth it. I don’t want him to regret me.
The door at the top of the stairs opens, and light streams down. I’m not sure who it is, but judging by the way they slam the door, something is wrong.
Bea finishes her slow trek down and sends a glare in my direction. “Just a matter of time now.” She holds a set of papers in her hands. “You’ll sign these.”
“I couldn’t sign anything if I wanted to; jackass broke my finger,” I remind her.
“You can use your other hand. It works just fine for now.” Bea steps toward me and tosses the papers onto the mattress.
Using my good hand, I pick them up and fling them back at her. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Fury crosses her features, and she steps quickly up to me, backhanding me in the face. Fuck, that hurts. My brain is bouncing around in my skull, but I need to stay conscious. If Aidan isn’t here, that means I only have Bea to take on.
“You’ll do as you’re told. Noah will be here soon, and then I’ll be on my way with him.”
Nope. Not fucking happening. I know she plans to make me disappear somehow, but I will not make it easier for her.
“Ya know what, Bea—”
She cuts me off with a look when she pulls out her phone. “Be quiet, or you’ll be put back to sleep again.”
I sit back quietly, curiosity winning. Who the hell could she be calling at a time like this? She’s quiet as someone answers, then snarls into the phone. “Don’t talk to me like that, you ungrateful jerk. Did you get him or not? You should have been back by now.”
Panic courses through me that he could have gotten Noah. I hope the school didn’t just let him walk out.
Smirking, Bea waits a moment, then says, “So, you failed?”
Thank God. I almost smile, but given the look on her face, I wait.
“You’d better hurry up, or I’ll do more than break her finger like you did.” She smiles at me cruelly.
When she stares angrily at the phone, I’m guessing Aidan hung up. Good. Knowing that he’s still preoccupied, and that he doesn’t have Noah, gives me hope. If I can overcome Bea, maybe she has the keys on her. I doubt she’d leave them with Aidan.
The bell of the house rings, and Bea shoots me a sharp look. “Don’t try anything stupid. No matter who it is, they can’t hear you,” she tells me as she walks back up the stairs. Whoever it is has bought me some time.
As soon as the door to the basement slams shut, I pull my screwdriver out and run it across the floor. I’ll need it to be a bit sharper for what I have planned.