Chapter 32
Austin
With the earring clenched in my hand, we press forward into the tunnel. Each step feels heavier than the last, the oppressive darkness closing in around us. The stench of damp earth and rot assaults my senses, and the faint sound of dripping water echoes like a mocking clock, ticking away the seconds I’ve already lost.
The beam from my flashlight cuts through the murk but only barely. Its light dances across the uneven walls, casting warped shadows that make my pulse quicken. The rats scatter ahead of us, their frantic squeaks disappearing into the black. My chest tightens. The thought of Violet trapped in this godforsaken place twists my gut.
At the tunnel’s end, something glints faintly in the beam of my flashlight. I crouch and spot a crumpled piece of gray tape lying discarded on the ground. My stomach lurches.
Miller picks it up, turning it over in his hands. His face hardens.
“She was restrained with this,” he says, his voice grim. He pulls an evidence bag from his vest and seals it away, methodical as always.
But I can’t focus on procedure right now. My hands ball into fists, and anger boils over, escaping as a frustrated growl. “We’re wasting time,” I snap, my voice harsh in the claustrophobic tunnel.
“Outside,” Miller orders firmly, motioning to the team. “Stay sharp, boys. Be ready for anything.”
The officers move with precision, their tactical gear rustling softly as they form up. Noah sticks close to me, his own tension radiating off him in waves.
The younger officer in front cracks open the door and peers out into the night. “Clear,” he announces, and one by one, we emerge from the tunnel.
The night air hits me like a slap, cold and biting. I suck in a deep breath, the crispness cutting through the suffocating frustration that’s been choking me. But the relief is fleeting. The forest stretches out around us, dense and shadowed, the moonlight barely breaking through the canopy above.
Ahead, a car sits parked on the trail. It’s unfamiliar, and something about its presence makes my skin crawl. My gut tightens, a visceral warning I can’t shake.
Then I hear it—far off but unmistakable. A man’s voice, rough and angry, shatters the silence.
“Violet, come back here!”
The words slam into me like a freight train. Adrenaline floods my system, and before I realize it, I’m shouting, “They’re near, Miller!” My legs move on their own, propelling me forward, crashing through the underbrush.
The night blurs as I run, the branches clawing at my arms and face like desperate hands trying to slow me down. The officers and Noah are right behind me, their footfalls pounding in unison with my racing heart.
The scenarios I’ve been trying to shove out of my mind flood in all at once: Violet hurt. Violet terrified. Violet—no, I can’t think like that. I can’t.
The sound of struggling pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Ahead, a man is on the ground, groaning and writhing, his outline faint in the shadows. I don’t think. I just act.
I slam into him from the side, the impact jarring but satisfying. My fists connect with flesh, over and over, driven by pure fury.
“Where is she, you motherfucker?” I roar, my voice ragged, my knuckles aching with each hit.
Hands grab at me—Noah and one of the officers, pulling me back. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my body shaking with rage as I finally register the man’s face.
John fucking Baker.
Blood drips from his split lip, and his eyes are wide, darting around as he groans in pain.
“John,” I hiss, my voice low and dangerous. “If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God, I’ll kill you.”
“Austin, enough!” Miller’s voice cuts through my haze of anger. “We’re wasting time. Violet is near. Focus.”
Noah steps in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders. His eyes are steady, calm despite the tension etched into his face. “We’ll find her,” he says firmly. “Don’t let him take any more of your focus. Violet needs you.”
I shake him off, but his words anchor me. My hands are still trembling as I take a step back, my breaths shallow and sharp.
John Baker. The realization hits me like a sledgehammer.
What the hell is he doing here? What the hell has he done?
My eyes snap to Miller as he starts barking orders to his team. But my focus isn’t on them anymore. It’s on the darkness beyond, where Violet is somewhere out there. Waiting for us. Waiting for me.
And God, help John Baker if we don’t find her alive.
Miller turns to a young officer and says, “Adams, cuff him and leave him on the dirt. Don't let him move.”
“Yes, sir,” Adams replies, quickly restraining John.
I turn around and start running with two other officers and Noah. My pulse quickens as I push through the underbrush, desperate to find Violet. We can’t be far now. The sound of our footsteps is the only thing I can hear as we push deeper into the forest.
Every second counts. I have to find her.
Minutes feel like hours as we comb through the area, each step taking me further into the unknown. My thoughts are a chaotic mess, swinging between hope and despair. I can’t lose her. Not now. Not ever.
Just as I’m starting to lose hope, I hear a faint sound in the distance. My heart skips a beat, and I strain to listen. It’s coming from a deeper part in the forest, a faint cry for help carried in the wind.
“Over here!” I shout, my voice breaking the silence. Noah turns and follows me as I run toward the sound, my legs burning from the effort.
As we get closer, the voice becomes clearer. It’s Violet. She’s talking to herself, her voice weak but unmistakable.
“Violet!” I shout. “We’re coming!”
Bursting through the underbrush, I finally see her. She’s on the ground, struggling to get up. I think she fell while she was running. She is bent over and groaning in pain, my heart breaking at the sight of her bruised and battered face.
“Violet, it’s okay. I’m here,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “You’re safe. I’m here.” Tears stream down my face as I whisper, “I will never let you go. I promise.”
“Austin, you’re here. It’s really you,” Violet says reaching for my face, her sobs uncontrollable.
She’s covered in mud and leaves. There are streaks of blood on her face as well. Her wrists are swollen and red—I pull her closer to me.
“Yes, beautiful. I came for you. I’m here.” I hug her tightly, thanking God that my beautiful Violet is safe and in my arms.
A few minutes later, an ambulance arrives. The paramedics check on Violet, their concern evident. “We need to take her to the hospital,” one of them says. “She might have a concussion.”
I stay by her side, refusing to let go.
“Violet, you’re going to be okay. We’re taking you to the hospital to make sure you’re alright,” I say, trying to reassure her.
She nods, still trembling. “I just want to go home, Austin.”
“I know, love. But we need to make sure you’re okay first. Then we’ll go home, I promise.”
“I will follow you to the hospital,” Noah says as the ambulance doors close and we start our journey to the hospital. I hold her hand tightly, never letting go. I keep my eyes on her, watching every expression, every breath, making sure she knows I’m there.
I text Josy and Esteban, letting them know that Violet is safe and that we’re on our way to the hospital.
“Austin,” she whispers, her voice weak but steady, “thank you for finding me.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “I’ll always find you, Violet. No matter what.”
She closes her eyes, exhaustion overtaking her. I watch her, feeling a mix of relief and overwhelming love. My beautiful girl is safe, and I’m never letting her go again.
When we get to the hospital, Violet is rushed to the emergency room to be treated.
I walk beside her, not letting go of her hand.
The chaos of the past few hours has left us both exhausted, but there’s no way I’m leaving her side.
We are left in an empty room…waiting.
I never stop holding her hand.
Ten minutes later, a doctor comes in and starts assessing her. Violet has a bruise starting to form on one of her cheeks, and she’s covered in dirt, making it impossible to locate the source of the blood. She complains that her head hurts, and after the doctor asks some questions, he sends her to get a CT scan to check for a concussion and internal head bleeding since she was hit on the head multiple times.
Finally, Josy arrives with Adrian. They’re both brought to Violet’s room, and when Adrian enters, he runs toward Violet and hugs her delicately. They both start crying, and Violet assures him that she is okay.
“I’m so sorry, Mom,” Adrian sobs, holding onto her tightly.
“Shh, it’s okay, baby. I’m here now,” Violet whispers, stroking his hair. “I’m safe.”
Josy stands by the door, tears in her eyes. She looks at me, and I can see the relief on her face. “Thank you for bringing her back, Austin,” she says softly.
I nod, unable to find the words.
All I can do is hold Violet’s hand as she clings to Adrian and hope that the worst is behind us.
As we wait for the results of the CT scan, I watch Violet interact with Adrian. Her strength and resilience amazes me. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s still here, comforting her son and reassuring him that everything will be okay.
The doctor returns with the results, a reassuring smile on his face. “The CT scan shows no signs of internal bleeding or severe concussion. There’s some bruising, but with rest and care, she should recover well.”
A collective sigh of relief fills the room. I squeeze Violet’s hand, and she looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and love.
“We’re going to take good care of you, Violet,” I promise, my voice steady despite the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “You’re safe now, and we’ll make sure you stay that way.”
Violet nods, her eyes glistening with tears. “I know, Austin. Thank you. For everything. Especially for not letting go of me.”
As the night wears on, we stay by Violet’s side, drawing strength from each other.
Officer Miller wants to talk to Violet to make a report, but I ask him to come tomorrow since the doctor wants her to stay the night. Josy takes Adrian home to rest, and Noah and Esteban also leave, promising to call tomorrow to check on Violet.
I spend the night holding Violet’s hand while she rests.
And that’s when it hits me. I could have lost her. I could have lost the best thing that has ever happened to me. I stare at her face, her eyes closed, sleeping peacefully. I trace the bruise on her cheek with my fingers and lean down to give her a gentle kiss on her lips. She doesn’t wake up while I admire her beauty.
Silent tears start to fall as the weight of everything crashes over me. The relief of having her safe, the terror of almost losing her, and the overwhelming love I feel for her all blend together. I haven’t even had time to think about John and what happened to him and his family, but I will soon. For now, I’m just grateful to have Violet safe and in my arms.
At some point, Violet stirs and wakes up. She sees the tears streaming down my face and reaches up to wipe them away.
“Austin,” she whispers, her voice full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
“I was so scared, Violet,” I admit, my voice cracking. “I thought I had time to tell you, but when you got taken, I felt like my world was crashing down on me. I was regretting not telling you how much I feel for you. How you literally came crashing into my life and changed me. How whenever I’m with you and Adrian, I feel complete. How you make me want things that I never thought I would want.”
I look into her beautiful eyes, seeing them fill with unshed tears. I smile tenderly at her and say the three words that I know will change everything. “I love you, Violet. And I can't spend another minute without telling you how I really feel. I’ve fallen in love with you every day since I met you, and I hope I have the rest of my life to show you how much you mean to me.”
Tears fill her eyes as she listens to my confession.
She squeezes my hand and pulls me closer. “I love you, too, Austin. More than words can say. Thank you for finding me. Thank you for not giving up on me. For helping me see that I deserve to be loved. For showing me with your actions what a real, healthy relationship is. God, I never thought that I was going to feel this much, but with you, I feel everything.”
We hold each other tightly, our hearts beating in sync. The fear and pain of the past day begins to fade, replaced by love and gratitude. We have a long road ahead of us, but as long as we have each other, I know we can face anything.
As Violet drifts back to sleep, I watch her, feeling more determined than ever to protect and cherish her. I won’t waste another moment. I will spend every day making sure she knows just how much she is loved by me.