Page 26 of Mercy & Malice

“Was it Micah?” It had to be. No one else would’ve thought to get it fixed.

Luca says, “My first assumption too. Let me know if you need anything.”

Ivy didn’t give him all the specifics, but he’s aware that she had to pick me up off side of the road after I left Belgrave following an argument with my mom. She offers again, “You’re welcome to stay with us.”

“Thanks, but I think I’m gonna spend some time at Mawmaw’s.” I need a change of scenery because everything here is piling on top of me. Even though Ivy’s house is a salvation, it’s too close to Mom for comfort. All she’d have to do is walk next door when she’s ready for her discussion. I won’t be ready anytime soon.

After a quick goodbye hug, I head to the house. Mom should be at Belgrave for hours. Nonetheless, I want to leave sooner than later, so I quickly pack a bag then hop into my car.

Mawmaw is thrilled when I call and ask to come over for a sleepover. There’s already a sense of relief when I’m officially on my way. However, my serenity is short-lived when a truck rear-ends the bumper of my car.

“Great. This day just keeps getting better.” Once I find a place to pull off the road, I put on my hazards and exit the car.

The guy waves as he gets out of the truck and shouts, “I’m so sorry. My kids were fighting in the back seat, and I got distracted. Give me one minute to find my registration then we can exchange information.”

He heads to the passenger door of his truck, opening the glovebox as he starts digging through it.

“Are your kids all right?” I ask, peeking in the back seat.

It’s empty. There aren’t kids in the vehicle. He lied.

Quickly walking back to my car, I get in, shut the door, and immediately lock the doors. In my mirror, I can see him hopping back in the driver’s seat. Is he fleeing?

That’s when I see movement in my back seat a split-second before a hand clasps over my mouth, muffling my scream as I feel a stinging jab in my neck.

I’m going to die. Or worse—because everything is getting blurry, my vision distorting until everything goes dark.

15

BROOKE

Oh my God, it feels like my skull has been chiseled with a sledgehammer. This has to be the worst hangover ever.

Hang on…I wasn’t drinking.

That’s when the memories flood back. Someone was in my back seat. The guy who rear-ended me runs through my mind as I battle to open my eyelids.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, viewing the space around me. I’m in a cage. A legit freaking metal bar enclosure. The area is dimly lit; I can barely make anything out. But the floor under me is gritty and worn. My fingers grip the cold metal as I pull myself up.

Where the hell am I?

A groan breaks the silence as I turn. Micah is standing against the back side of the cell. Wait, no. He’s hanging by his arms; his wrists bound by handcuffs attached to a chain that attached to the bars overhead.

“Micah.” A sob escapes me as I stumble towards him, my head still woozy I’m guessing from whatever I was given.

Who’s doing this?

When I reach him, I’m relieved he’s breathing and alive. But he’s not awake. Patting his cheeks, I plead, “Micah, wake up. Please wake up.”

I can’t be here alone. He shouldn’t be here either. But I don’t want to be alone.

My dad’s voice hums through my head. Selfish Brooke. Always thinking about herself.

“Please wake up. Micah, I need you to wake up. We have to get out of here.” All I do is cry, repeating it over and over until he stirs.

“Brooke,” he groans, his eyes open as he looks at me like I’m a ghost or a nightmare. Searching around, he mutters, “No. What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know. I just woke up. Someone abducted me.” I recount the major points to the fender bender then waking up in a cage.