Chapter 20

Ella's POV:

Loud coughs erupt deep in my throat, a dry, scratchy feeling that itches like crazy. The harshness of it wakes me up as my coughs try to relieve the uncomfortableness, my eyes sputtering open in short rapid blinks, clearing my spotty vision.

After a long moment, I'm able to take in my surroundings. A carpeted floor that's not my own, the room small and square with boxes piled in the corner, a tiny window leaking little light up towards the ceiling, and this awful smell singeing my nose.

What is this place? Why am I here?

I try to move my hands to help me stand up, but ropes bind my wrists together in a tight hold, halting any possible movements as well as my ankles. What is this?

I try to pull my hands apart with all my strength, but the rope just cuts into my skin painfully, cutting off my circulation. My skin burns hot underneath the rope, a warm substance sliding down to my palms. Looking down, a red gooey liquid is prominent against my pale skin.

Blood. These ropes are way too tight.

Memories come crashing into my brain, like a whiplash knocking the breath right out of my lungs. Kidnapped, I was kidnapped and drugged. Does my mom know I'm gone? What about Thomas or Julian or Declan? How long has it even been? A couple of hours? A day? More?

Heaviness seems to weigh down my chest, panic settling deep under my ribcage. A coat of moisture glosses my eyes, threatening to spill in pools. The noise of my heart is so loud it's making my ears ring.

I will kill you. The deep voice rings sharp in my head. One thing is for certain, I need to get out of here.

I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't breathe. Screams started tearing out of me, sharp and piercing, and completely terrified screams of help. "Help!" I scream so loud my entire body begins to shutter. "Someone, please help me." Again, I scream and scream and scream until my voice rang raw.

Helpless, horrified sobs wrack my body; I have never done well in stressful situations.

Through my silent sobs, I can still pick up the heavy footsteps thumping somewhere on the outside of this room. No matter how much I want or need help, the sound of those footsteps do not relieve the terror I was feeling. In fact, it enhanced it.

Are they coming to hurt me? Are they planning to kill me; oh god, they're going to kill me. The thought was anxiety at its breaking point.

With a frightening bang, the door slams open, hitting the wall; a tall figure then walks in, flicking a light switch with a click. Bright light now illuminates the room, causing my teary eyes to blink and adjust.

I look at the person with a fear I've never felt before. It was a man, a man with dark brown hair and just as dark blue eyes. No matter how much I didn't want to say it, he was attractive, and for some reason, he looked familiar. What a crazy thought, I dismiss it instantly. I didn't know any kidnappers, that was definite.

Those blue eyes watch me, studying me before closing the space between us, and kneeling right in front of me. "Well, aren't you a pretty girl." He murmurs, his voice deep and husky as his hand comes up to caress my damp cheek.

I swing my head away in attempts of avoiding the contact, hating the sound of his velvety voice. It doesn't work. A dark chuckle erupts from his throat, his touch making me feel powerless, ashamed.

Another round of warm tears streak my face. "W-where am I? Why a-am I h-here?" I stutter, my lips trembling in sync with the rest of my body. I was having my own personal earthquake, and if I don't calm down soon, I'm going to have a panic attack.

"Why a-am I h-here?" He stutters, mocking me.

My stained cheeks burn with embarrassment. I'm pathetic.

He stands back up, then circles the small room in slow, relaxed steps. "Correct me if I'm wrong. Ella, is it?" He asks, a sly grin taking over his lips, one he doesn't bother hiding.

It makes me shiver, a violent icy shiver. "H-how do you k-know my name?"

Who is this guy?

His unsettling grin grows. "I know a lot about you." He tells me, not once taking his eyes off of me, waiting for my reaction.

My eyes widen. "W-what?

How does he know me? I've never seen him before in my life; it makes my head spin dizzily.

"Pretty and curious, what a prize I got." He smiles a sick smile.

I close my eyes, wanting this so badly to be a nightmare. I can't do this; I can't. He's trying to get to me, and it's working. I try to take a deep breath to settle my speeding heart; it doesn't work.

What is wrong with him? He thinks this is some game. Blood is dripping down my pale white hands and onto my clothes. These ropes are burning my skin, and it's immensely painful. Looking at my own blood is making me nauseous. "Why did y-you take m-me?" I quiver.

"Simple," He states. "Someone didn't do what I said."

Who? Who didn't do as he said? What is he talking about?

I can't think straight, my wrists are in so much pain, my terror is clouding my brain, and my trembling has accelerated to a noticeable shake. These ropes, I want them off; they are hurting me.

This has nothing to do with me; I just want to go home

"W-Who?"

The walls feel like they're closing in on me. Closer and closer, and any second I'll be squashed like a bug. I don't do good in small spaces; they make me claustrophobic.

I want Declan. I need Declan.

He chuckles once again. "You really don't know, do you?"

Confusion captures me up in a cloud. Obviously, I don't know, or I wouldn't have asked. Again, I try to yank at the ropes. Pain surges through my arms, a whimper falling from my dry, cracked lips.

Shaking his head, he stops in front of me again, analyzing me. Can't he see I'm telling the dang truth?

"Please...loosen t-these," I whisper. My body jerks sideways, almost like a cold shiver, except it wasn't a cold shiver. I'm freaking out both mentally and physically, and it's really taking its toll. I try to hold up my hands, but I can't even do that. Maybe it's the drug he gave me.

He just stares at me like I'm stupid. I'll take that as a no then.

What does he mean by 'You really don't know, do you?' Does he mean that I know him? Because if I do, I definitely don't remember him.

Glancing up with all the courage I can muster, my eyes examine him up and down, trying to draw up some kind of memory. Nothing comes. It bothers me his brown hair is curly just like Declan's; it's the same color too, and it makes me cringe. I love Declan's hair but not on him.

His eyes watching me like how he is right now is giving me the creeps; they are so blue and dark. In a messed up way, they kind of look like Riley's.

Wait...

Is that a coincidence? No, it can't be.

You really don't know. The resemblance is unmistakable when I really look at him. Am I going crazy? I can't be right.

Some kind of realization hits me. Is this why Declan asked me if someone hurt me the other day?

"Y-you can't b-be." I shake my head, a flood breaking the boundaries of my eyes.

A bright sick smile lights upon his twisted face. "Bingo! Finally, I thought you would never figure it out."

This isn't real; this is a nightmare. Yes, this has to be a nightmare.

"My dear old brother Declan thinks he can just do whatever he wants, so I thought I would teach him a lesson."

The dam breaks, my whole resolve crumbles. Teach Declan a lesson? My air pipes stop working, eyes blurred with globs of tears, black speckles my vision. This guy is going to hurt both me and Declan.

"N-no, please don't hurt him," I plead, "I-If I'm here j-just don't hurt him."

What will he do to my Declan? I don't even want to think about it, about Declan in pain. It makes me sick to my stomach.

"You are just bait to get him here," He muses. "How does that make you feel, Ella?"

I don't answer him; I can't. I'm the bait that's going to get Declan hurt.

Giving me one last look, he goes to walk out the door. "Enjoy your stay," He chimes, flicking the light off and slamming the door shut.

Alone in the dark, my head spins in all directions, the dizzy light-headed feeling hitting me full force; panic, panic, panic.

Anger, sadness, and utter fear scrape me up and eat me whole. Black curls into my eyes, ripping away my sight, stomach clenching in tight knots, and ears popping like bubble wrap. I was there, and now I am gone.

Gone.

*

Declan's POV:

"Get your head in the game, Anderson!" My coach yelled for like the hundredth fucking time today. It's getting on my fucking nerves.

All football practice, my concentration has been elsewhere; well by elsewhere, I mean it's been preoccupied with Ella. Those big blue eyes were all I could see behind my closed eyelids, just so goddamn entrancing. Not to mention her strawberry lips, soft and pink, and so fucking pure. When she bites them...I have to try real hard to keep it together.

All I want to do is trace her light skin, just to see the goosebumps arise, to see her shiver under my touch. To kiss her tears away, to take the salt away from her sweet. I wanted to hold her tight and keep her close; I wanted to know every inch of her just by memory.

There were so many things I wanted to do with her, so many fucking things.

When football practice finally ended, and I was in the locker room, I could now daydream freely.

"Dude, what was that today?" Thomas demands, standing beside me with a look that didn't suit his pretty-boy features.

I've come to realize that Ellie and Thomas were only similar in their looks, not their personalities. Where Ella was soft, Thomas was hard; where Ella was quiet, Thomas was outspoken.

After swallowing my Gatorade, I turn to him with an eyebrow raised, "What was what?" I ask, feigning ignorance.

"Your game sucked, fix it," He spits. "It's my last year, and I don't need you screwing it up."

I stand up straighter, done playing dumb. If he weren't Ella's brother, I would smash his face in without hesitation. But I know Thomas can hold his own, so it's not worth it, and I wouldn't do that for Ella's sake. He doesn't like me around her, which is too fucking bad.

"Your tone sucks. Fix it." I hiss, stepping forward, "I gotta say I'm quite honored you give me so much of your attention. I must be special, yeah?"

He smiles. "Call it what you want. It's not hard to miss someone who can't do anything right."

Taking a deep breath, I match the fake smile, "Careful Thomas, you're starting to sound like my own personal fan."

*

After getting out of practice, home high ho I go. Showering was the first thing on my agenda, so that's what I did as soon as I got home. Ella had a dinner to go to tonight; I'm sure that's the only reason Thomas didn't stick around longer to give me more of his wonderful opinion.

It didn't bother me, really. I guess I get where he's coming from. Ella's his sister; she's fragile, and he didn't want to hurt her. Something had already hurt her pretty badly. What it was was still a mystery to me. She doesn't talk about it.

But after her dinner tonight, I was going over there to see her. She's so hella intoxicating; all I want is to be around her; every freaking thought in my head is her.

There was something I needed to tell her, though, and no matter how much I didn't want to, she needed to know. There's only so long you can avoid something.

Seeing her reaction, that's what I'm afraid of. The thought of her looking at me differently is too hard to think about. She's the only one who really looks at me, really sees me for who I am, and doesn't care. She has this smile, a smile that's rare, and she only uses it with me.

I don't want to ruin that.

For a while now, I've been trying to break it off, telling him I didn't want to do it anymore. He was angry, told me no wasn't an option. Well, I made it an option because I refused, but now he's been watching me, which doesn't bother me; it's Ellie I'm worried about.

This is why I didn't want to do his dirty work anymore because I didn't want to bring Ella into it. She was innocent and didn't deserve to be brought into something she had no part in.

At first, it was a couple of deliveries, and I just did it for the money, to pay my rent. It was quick cash, only temporary or so I thought, but he always wanted more. Whether it was fighting or delivering his drugs, nothing was enough. I didn't want to do it anymore, and I made it clear that I was done.

Getting out of the shower, I towel dry my hair and throw on some athletic shorts and a t-shirt. Specifically, the t-shirt Ellie wore last.

Hearing my phone vibrate in the kitchen where I threw my stuff, I walk out to see who's calling. The number is unknown. Weird. Answering, anyway, I say, "Hello?"

A male's voice comes through the phone. "Declan, is Ella with you?"

Who is this, and how the fuck do they have my number? "Who is this?"

"Thomas, now is Ella with you?" Thomas rushes out, his earlier anger towards me gone; now replaced with worry?

"No," I say, "She's supposed to be at dinner with you."

Through the phone, I hear Thomas tell someone she's not with me. If she's not with them, where the fuck is she?

"Thomas, is she alright? What's happening?" I raise my voice, getting worried myself. He wouldn't call me for no reason.

"I don't know man, she went to the restroom and never came back. We can't find her, and we thought maybe she was with you." He says frantically.

"What the fuck," I mutter, trying to comprehend what I'm hearing, "What do you mean she didn't come back?"

The phone statics, "I mean, she's suddenly disappeared; she's fucking gone."

"I'm on my way," I rush out before hanging up the phone and frantically searching for my keys.

I'm out the door in seconds, sprinting to my car, not caring how I look to other people. Ella's disappeared; nobody knows where she is, not even me. Why the fuck did they let her out of their sight.

While speeding through stop signs, I call Wes up and tell him to meet me at Ella's, then hang up. There's no time for explaining; I can't even think myself, except for the horrible thoughts of my Ella somehow being hurt.

The entire way to Ella's house, I call her phone repeatedly, no answer each time, just an automated voicemail. How is she just gone? They were at the restaurant with her, and she wouldn't just leave without notifying anyone. Could someone have taken her? Oh, so help me God, if anyone touched a hair on her head, I will kill them.

Arriving at Ella's house, I slam the door open and run in. Not even knocking, I pull the door open, too worried to care about manners. Ella's mom is the first person I see; she's pacing back and forth. Tear's drip down her cheeks and onto her shirt, and I know immediately how serious this is.

A man pulls her into his chest; that's when I notice she's not the only one in the room. When he lifts his head towards me, that's when I recognize him. He's not just some random guy.

That guy is my dad.

What the actual fuck? What is he doing here?

Ella's mom looks at me, acknowledging me for the first time. "She's gone, s-she was t-there and then g-gone." Her mother hiccups.

My heart drops; this is real; it's really happening. Ella is gone. Pressure stems in my chest. My Ella disappeared.

"I'm going to look for her," I say just as Thomas walks into the room. I send him a look that means 'get your shit together because you're coming with me.' Not sparing my father another glance, I walk out the door, Thomas right behind me.

Right on time, Wesley's car pulls into Ella's driveway. He hops out, rushing to me. "What's going on? What happened?" He blurts out.

Ignoring him, I get in the car. Both Thomas and Wes get in after me, Wes in the front and Thomas in the middle back seat. Turning on the ignition, I drive away, not wasting any time.

"Thomas, talk," I growl through gritted teeth. I wanted to know exactly what happened, every fucking detail.

I needed to find her...I need her.

Thomas starts telling us the story of how she excused herself and went to the bathroom. After about seven minutes, when she didn't return, Ella's mom went to go check on her, and when she looked in the bathroom, it was empty. Everything after that was hectic. They looked all over the restaurant and outside. They called her phone several times and nothing, just like when I did.

I pull the car into an empty parking lot near the restaurant. We can start here and search the area.

We decide to split up and all check different sections of the town, to cover more ground. As I walk through the park thoroughly, scanning the area, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Hope fills me; it might be Ella.

Without even looking at the caller ID, I answer, "Hello."

"Hello, brother."

I freeze. Why the hell is he calling me? I told him I was done.

Edited by @Marilyn_McKnight! Thank you, I appreciate you lots!