“We’re going to get her back,” she says so matter of factly, and fuck, do I want to believe it.
A world without Jade isn’t a world worth living.
That woman has consumed every fiber of my being.
Another day comes and goes. My bones feel hollow, and I feel like I’m suffocating.
We’re doing everything we can, and it’s still not fucking enough. She trusted me to keep her safe, and I’ve failed her.
Where are you, Jade?
This is all my fault. I never should have left her alone at the bakery when we knew Adam was out there.
“How you doing, son?” Dad asks, clamping onto my shoulder.
“Like I can’t fucking breathe.” I choke on a sob.
“She’ll come back.”
“I love her, Dad.” I croak out.
“I know, son. I know. But you need to get some sleep. You’re no help if you don’t have a sharp mind and energy to trek these woods. Mom will stay with you. Colter, Hayes, and I are packing up the horses for the night search.”
“I’m not stopping,” I tell him.
“We won’t give up, son.”
Ilose track of time and all sense of hope. I’m pretty sure I’ve been here for five days now. Wherever here is.
Garrett comes every day.
And when he’s here, I play his game.
I don’t cry.
I do that once he leaves.
My ankles and wrists burn from the raw skin grating against the ropes, and I fear that I’m running out of time for West to find me.
Yesterday, Garrett kept talking about our life in Saskatchewan. He’s getting antsy to get out of here and put his plans into action. The bags under his eyes were dark, and he seemed to be on the edge of manic. I hope to God West notices something is going on with him.
If only Nick were here. He would recognize Garrett and maybe even find me.
If no one is going to come for me, I need to save myself.
I wiggle my hands, trying to stretch and wear the rope, but my body is spent. The heat of the day makes the cabin so hot and stuffy that I can hardly breathe.
With nothing else to do, I close my eyes and let my dreams take me.
“You have to keep fighting, dear.”
Mom?
“But I’m so tired.”
“I know, sweetheart. But you are so strong and brave.”
“My beautiful girl.”
