Chapter 38 Jade
With each passing minute, my hope of West finding me diminishes.
Night has fallen, and the cabin is dark and cold.
Its only source of light being the moon that shines through the window above the sink.
Luckily, since it was chilly from the rain yesterday, I have on long pants, but my shirt sleeves are short and goosebumps line my arms as my teeth begin to chatter.
My body aches from being bound to this chair, and my stomach growls with hunger. The howl of wolves in the distance has me glancing to the door, praying they can’t get in.
I refuse to be some animal’s midnight snack.
With nothing else to do, I sit with my thoughts.
Why did I never consider Adam having a family? I never met them. I knew his mom wasn’t his birth mother, but that was the extent of what I knew. Maybe if I would have known and met them I would have recognized Garrett.
What are the odds we both end up in this tiny town so far away from home?
What if I would have just listened to Kane the first time he told me not to get with Adam?
I think back to that very first day. I was in the library studying when he walked in and sat next to me.
At first I couldn’t believe it. Adam Graves, sitting next to me.
I was popular for my grade, but I wasn’t anyone special, and Adam was, well, Adam.
He was one of the best-looking guys in the school and always surrounded himself with cheerleaders.
Kane tried to warn me when I started to spend more time with Adam, but I didn’t listen.
After about a month of meeting in the library and developing a friendship, one night at a school party, Adam pulled me aside where he kissed me and asked me to be his girlfriend. I was over the moon.
At first, things were great. He made me feel so special.
And then he started to get jealous. Jealous when I would hang with friends over him, jealous when I would even speak to any other guys.
Over time, he even started to get physical with me.
Because I thought I loved him, I dropped all my friends until I eventually had enough.
If I would have just listened to Kane, things could have been so different.
But then I would have never met West.
West.
I can’t imagine what he’s been told or what he’s going through right now. Does he even know I’m missing yet?
I hope he doesn’t blame himself for this, but most of all, I just really hope he finds me.
The crunch of gravel has me rousing from sleep and sitting tall.
Please be West.
I hear the slam of a car door, and my pulse begins to drum.
Please, please, please.
A key goes into the lock of the front door, and my body deflates, tears threatening to spill.
“Good morning, baby.” Garrett steps into the cabin carrying what looks like a bag of groceries, and my stomach rumbles. I haven’t eaten or drank anything in twenty-four hours. My mouth is dry, and my stomach hurts.
“Fuck. It’s cold in here,” he notes.
I keep my mouth shut, too afraid to speak and say the wrong thing. My eyes catch the gun on his waist.
“I have a blanket in the car I’ll bring in later. I can’t stay long, but I brought you a sandwich and some water.” He places the bag of groceries on the counter, pulling out its contents.
“Are you going to greet me or continue to ignore me?” His head whips in my direction and his eyes narrow.
“S-sorry.”
Grabbing a sandwich and some water, he makes his way over to me. “You don’t have to fear me, Hadley. I’m going to take care of you,” he says, bending to place a kiss on my cheek. I try not to flinch when his lips graze my skin.
“Here.” He unwraps the sandwich, bringing it to my lips. “Eat and then I’ll let you use the bathroom before I need to leave.”
I eat in silence, taking each bite offered to me. When it’s all gone, he brings the bottled water to my mouth, and I guzzle as much of it down as I can.
“I’m going to untie you now so you can use the bathroom. Don’t fucking try anything or I will shoot you. I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t let you get away. I’m the only one who can keep you safe.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Good.” He unbinds my hands and feet before leading me to a door inside the cabin. “There is no running water, so you just have to make due. I’ve already boarded up the window, so don’t think you can escape.”
“I told you I wouldn’t.” My voice wobbles with the lie.
“Just go pee so I can leave. They are expecting me to help them find you.”
I suck in a breath knowing West is out there trying to find me. I’ve been so worried everyone just thought I ran.
I use the bathroom quickly and then let Garrett lead me back to the chair.
After he leaves, a surge of hope flares through me.
West is looking for me.