His eyes squint, and his head cocks. “Why are you lying, Jade?”
Something is very wrong here. “I-I’m not.” I slowly step back, but he rounds the counter.
“Or should I call you Hadley?”
My heart pounds, and I feel tears start to escape. “I don’t know what you want.” I cry, backing away slowly.
“You,” he says. “I want you, Hadley.”
My stomach drops, and my body goes into fight or flight mode. Choosing flight, I run.
I make it to the kitchen door, but he’s on me within seconds. Screaming, I elbow him in the gut, but he’s got me in a grip I can’t get out of. I don’t know what he wants from me, but I refuse to give it to him. I fight and scream, praying to God a customer enters the shop, but before my brain can register what’s happening, Garrett places a hand with a rag over my mouth and my vision starts to fade.
I’m not sure how long it’s been, but my eyes snap open with the jolt of my body. I blink through the darkness and realize I must be in the trunk of a car.
Were we wrong? Has it been Garrett the entire time? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know him. What does he want from me?
The car comes to a stop, and I hear the crunch of gravel beneath his feet before the trunk is popped open. I flinch at the harsh light pouring through and try to scoot farther to the back.
“Out.” Garrett coaxes me from the car, and when my feet hit solid ground, a whimper escapes my throat as I take in the forest around us. In every direction, all I can see is endless trees.
We walk towards a small cabin that looks like it’s been abandoned, and I dig my heels into the gravel. “What do you want from me?” I choke on a sob.
“You were pretty out of it the first time we met,” he tells me as he pushes me forward into the dark, dusty cabin.
My mind flicks through memories of my first years in Lavender Falls, but I can’t remember the day we met.
“You were bleeding and barely alive,” he says, almost like he’s in awe.
Finally, I’m transported back in time.
To ten years ago.
My skin burns with licks of fire.
My head throbs, and all I feel is pain.
So much pain.
And I’m cold.
So very cold.
“Stay with me, Hadley.”
I try to make a sound, but nothing comes out.
Behind my lids, I see flashes of red and blue.
“You’re going to be okay. We got you now.”
I’m set down, and the motion sends my body into pure agony.
I scream.
I’m dying.
“Officer Garrett, you need to step away now. The paramedics got her.”That’s Nick’s voice.
