Lyndall pulls out her phone, but he lunges and grabs it, dropping it to the ground.
He smashes it with his shoe.
"Not fair, kiddo, no phones. I can't leave you, but I'm all for the old two for the price of one. Now, be a couple of dolls and get in the fucking car."
"Fuck off," Lyndall shouts.
And I grab at her, hauling her in close.
We are to the side of the diner, and he shakes his head at her.
"Soap is the answer for dirty little mouths. That, and a good fist to the face."
"Asshole," I say.
"I take it she's interested. Fine by me."
Lyndall bunches her hands and takes a step. "Let us go, now, or?—"
"Or what?" he taunts us.
I turn, looking wildly around for Alex or for anyone. Even fucking Enzo.
The man starts laughing, and he shakes his head. "Alex isn't coming, darlin'."
I shove Lyndall, stepping in front of her as he aims the gun. "Run, Lyndall, now!"
She does, and so do I.
But she runs in the opposite direction, making me spin hard, and she throws herself at the man, trying to knock him over.
"Lyndall!"
I grab at her just as he plucks her up and throws her to the ground. "In the fucking car. Now."
He opens the trunk, picks her up, shoves her in, and slams the lid shut, all the while the gun trained on me.
But I run for the car, for Lyndall. If I can get in, I can drive off.
He grabs at me, trying to shove me in the back seat.
I kick at him.
His gun falls as he shoves me to the ground. "If I can't have two, I will take one."
And then to my horror, he gets in, guns the motor, and drives.
Oh God, oh God. Lyndall.
I start to run, pulling out my phone, racing as hard as I can after the car.
It turns a sharp corner, and it is gone.
I almost fall to my knees, sobs burning in my chest.
I stumble to a stop, and shaking, I turn my phone on.
Where is Alex?
