Chapter 2
TWO
Taylor
I point back again as the guy carrying me continues to walk, but he doesn’t understand me or what I want. When the guys first showed up, I was scared. Then the blindfold was taken off, and I knew we were finally being rescued.
It wasn’t until we were up in the trees that I realized I couldn’t see my sister anywhere. I thought someone else must have rescued Landry, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. She must still be back there. They took us both, but we were separated, and I haven’t seen her in days.
Panic claws at me, and I twist in the guy’s arms, trying to get free. I have to go back. I have to find Landry.
This is all my fault. The road trip was my idea.
I convinced Landry to come with me. It was going great until we went to that bar.
It was so dark, and I lost track of Landry when she went to the bathroom.
When some guy ran up to me and said my sister was sick, I didn’t think; I just followed him… right into a trap.
They already had Landry. I screamed and fought, but they grabbed me and threw me into the van next to her. I promised her we would be okay.
I intend to keep that promise.
I sob, my throat aching with emotion. I screamed myself hoarse over the last three days. Maybe longer. I lost track, tied up and blindfolded. Still, I need to tell the guy that we have to go back.
“Please,” I whisper faintly.
“Shh, rest now. It will all be okay.”
I look around. I have no idea where we are. Some forest. I squint as lights come into view.
“This is my place. The doctor is already on his way. You’re safe,” the guy says.
I pause to study him for the first time since he grabbed me.
He’s handsome. Really handsome. His black hair is neatly trimmed, hanging over his forehead.
My fingers itch to push the strands into place.
I squeeze my hands into fists so I don’t follow through on that impulse.
His gray eyes are filled with worry as he glances down at me, and his full lips tug down at the edges.
I automatically absorb my surroundings as he carries me into his house. Everything is neat and ordered. Everything in its place.
He carries me through to another room and places me gently on a bed. I sit up instantly.
I’ll run back and find Landry. Except… I don’t know where we are or where we were being held.
I motion with my hand, pretending to write. The guy nods and hurries off. My throat feels like it’s on fire, throbbing every time I swallow. Fresh tears fall, and I sniffle, quickly wiping them away. I can’t afford to be scared or sad right now. I need to think clearly. I need to get Landry back.
The guy returns with a pen and paper. My eyes widen fearfully when I see he’s accompanied by another man carrying a black bag.
“Easy,” the man who carried me here says gently. “This is the doctor.”
“Dr. McAdams, but you can call me Christian,” the other man says with a friendly smile as he sets down his things. “Reyes told me you were having trouble talking?”
I grab the pen and paper from Reyes.
My sister is still there! We have to go back and get her.
I turn the paper around, showing it to the men. They read it quickly and exchange worried looks.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Reyes asks, sitting on the bed next to me.
Taylor. Landry is still back there. They took us. We have to save her!
“We will,” Reyes promises.
“We’ll let the others know. They’ll search for her. They’ll find her,” Christian assures me.
I relax slightly, but I want to be there when they find her.
As if reading my mind, Reyes squeezes my hand. “As soon as we find her, we’ll bring you to her. You have my word on that, okay? Right now, the doc needs to check you for injuries, and you need to get some rest.”
I give him a shaky nod, and he smiles, his thumb rubbing back and forth over my hand.
He releases me reluctantly, standing at the foot of the bed while Christian examines me, watching my every move and facial expression.
I wince as the doctor rubs some ointment on my wrists, and he looks like he wants to pull his hair out.
When I cry out as the deep cuts on my ankles are disinfected, he looks like he’s ready to kill someone.
And when the doctor examines the marks on my throat, Reyes grips the footboard of the bed so hard that the wood creaks.
“You need to rest and keep the wounds clean. I’ll give you some medicine for your throat. No talking for a few days until it’s healed. Drink tea or broth. You can have Jell-O or popsicles. They’ll feel good. Stay away from hard foods. You don’t want to do any more damage.”
“Got it,” Reyes says.
“I’ll leave some pills, but I only have enough for the next twenty-four hours. You can come by the hospital tomorrow, or I can drop off another supply.”
“I’ll come first thing in the morning,” Reyes tells him.
Christian gathers his things, and Reyes walks him out. He returns a minute later with a cup of water. I hesitate as he passes me a pill. I don’t want to take anything. My throat hurts, and I’m afraid to swallow, but I know the pain meds will help.
I need to be strong and rested for when Landry gets here, so I take the cup and medicine and swallow them down.
I wince, tearing up as the pill scrapes my throat. Reyes rubs his hand up and down my back, and the gesture would be soothing if he weren’t doing it so fast. He looks so upset, so anxious and helpless as he takes the glass from me.
“Do you want tea or anything? I don’t have much here, but I can go to the store. Just tell me what you like, and I’ll get it.”
I grab the pen and paper.
When will you know anything about Landry?
“Soon, sweetheart.”
I start to write another note, but my eyes suddenly grow heavy. I fight to keep them open, but my head bobs. The medicine is kicking in.
I sink against the pillows before I can answer Reyes’s question.