“There are police officers here to see you.” My blood turns to ice, and my body numbs.
I won’t talk. I don’t want to.
I look down at my body. I’m only in sweats and an old t-shirt. My pajamas basically. I’ve been wearing the same ones for two days now. They’re clean at least. I don’t have a bra on though.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” I answer loud enough for him to hear.
Cheryl’s composing herself and wiping her nose with her sleeve as I open the dresser drawer and pull out a bra. Then I open the drawer below it looking for a nicer looking shirt. I turn my back to her to change clothes as quick as I can.
“Are you okay?” Cheryl asks.
I turn, slipping the shirt down and stare at my best friend.
“Are you going to be in trouble? Is that why…?” She doesn’t finish, but she doesn’t have to.
“No,” I say and shake my head.
“What can I do to help?” Her wide eyes, glassy with tears, are pleading with me.
I hold my hand out to her. “I could use a friend.” She’s quick to take my hand and she doesn’t let go as I walk through the hall and down the stairs.
My heartbeat seems to slow with each step and finally I’m in my dining room where an officer in uniform is sitting with my parents at the table and another officer is standing behind him.
“Olivia Bell?” the officer asks.
I clear my dry throat and try to answer, but it’s so hard. It feels as though a lump is lodged in it, so I just nod instead.
“I’m Detective Dowers, and this is my partner, Detective Brown.”
“Hi,” I manage to squeak out.
“We have a few questions for you,” the man standing asks. Detective Dowers' nearly bald head reflects the light hanging above the table. His eyes are a soft hazel, but they seem kind.
I nod my head again and pull out a seat, sitting across from the other officer. He’s younger, but he looks tired with bags under his eyes.
His voice is deeper, too. “Do you know this man?” He sets a picture down on the table and everyone else in the room takes a look.
My heart stops beating. It’s Kade. He’s staring back at me. His power is reaching me through his picture.
Life seems to drain from me. I look into the officer’s eyes, but I don’t answer.
After a moment, he speaks. “We have reason to believe that he abducted you on September 16th.”
“Is this the man?” my mother asks as she grips my shoulders and tries to look me in the eyes. But I don’t move, I don’t react. I feel trapped. I don’t know how they found out, but I’m not saying a word. I refuse to say anything against him.
I won’t do it.
“Miss?” Everyone’s eyes are on me as I lick my dry lips and shake my head no.
“He admitted to kidnapping you.”
My eyes flash to Detective Dowers. My heart races, and my blood heats.
“I need to ask you some questions. And you need to answer them truthfully.” I slowly move my eyes to Detective Brown as he speaks.
“Olivia. Are you okay?” my mother asks.
“Olivia, you don’t need to answer anything,” Cheryl’s quick to add. She looks up at the officers and says, “She has the right to a lawyer.”
