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Leaning back into the pillows, I fell asleep as I sobbed, wishing the world was a different place.
* * *
Something shook me,and I lifted my arm to bat it away. “Go away. I'm not hungry,” I mumbled into the pillow, my eyelids already closing.
“Cami!” they whispered, but I ignored it. “Camila, come on! We need to go now. We don’t have much time.”
The voice sounded familiar, so I lifted my head, peering over. When I found a figure in all black, I scooted back. “Please, don’t hurt me. Darren’s not here.”
“It’s me, Bish. Come on, I’m rescuing you. I’m your fucking knight in black spandex.”
Pushing my hair out of my face, I blinked, convinced that what I saw wasn’t real. “Am I dreaming?”
“You’re about to be knocked unconscious if you don’t move your ass. I’m here to rescue you, but you’re not making it easy. Come on, let’s go!”
When I realized it was real and Nat was actually here, I jumped up in excitement. The movement was too much, though, and the world tilted, everything becoming dizzy. I put my hands out to steady myself, catching Nat.
“Shit,” she hissed. “He hasn't been feeding you. You’re a fucking twig.” She took my arm and directed me to a seat. Everything was still fuzzy, so I followed with no resistance, my body doing what she wanted. Sitting down, I felt a tug on my foot, and I realized she was putting shoes on me.
“Where are we going?” I mumbled, then realized how dumb it was.
“Somewhere far away from here.” Nat stood, lifting me up again.
“Okay,” I agreed, nodding until everything hit me. “Wait, no! Nat, you need to go. He'll find you, and then he'll kill you. You can't leave Lily by herself.”
“I got it covered. Seriously, rescuing you is the worst, Cami. You need to take a class on how to be an appreciative captive.”
Snorting, I didn’t have the energy to fight her and trusted she knew what she was doing. We stepped to the door, and that was when I realized it was open, a tiny sliver of light coming through. It was odd because it was usually much lighter. I realized as we moved that one of the lights was out. There was a body lying in the hall, another one standing at the corner, and I tensed.
“It’s just Beau. It’s okay,” Nat whispered, noticing my reaction. She did a whistle thing, and he motioned two fingers down at the side, and we stopped, falling back against the wall. I could hear voices up ahead, and it seemed like Beau was trying to impersonate a Delgado guard and prevent them from turning down this hallway.
“You’re not Adams. I thought he was working this hallway tonight?”
“Sick,” Beau grunted.
“What’s your name, and what happened to the light? I don’t remember seeing you before.”
Nat had kept us inching closer down the hall, and as we moved, the conversation became more distinguishable.
“The other guy went to get someone. A light bulb went out.”
“Hmm. You know what, I think I’ll check on our guest myself.”
I watched as Beau’s hand went to the gun, ready to shoot the guard questioning him. The last sentence had me using the final of my energy as I stepped forward between them.
“Stop.” I placed a hand on his chest, looking at my guardian angel. “He’s… he’s not an enemy.” Beau looked at me like I was crazy. I didn’t know the man very well, only having interacted with him a few times at the club, but it was clear he thought I’d lost my mind. Turning, I looked at the only person who’d shown me kindness within these walls.
“Stocke, you’ve been my guardian angel from moment one. These are my friends, and they’re getting me out of here. Can you do it one more time? Please.”
His jaw ticked, and I watched his green eyes as he debated. So much emotion swirled, and I wished I had time to ask him what it was all about. Mostly though, I wished I knew why he’d cared in the first place. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath like it pained him, but he nodded, keeping them closed. I guess it was his way of saying yes, but he couldn’t allow himself to watch.
The two with me didn’t hesitate and moved forward around him. Nat pulled me, desperate to get out of here, and while I agreed, something in me didn’t want to leave him. As we walked past, I stopped, gripping his arm, and pulled his face toward me. Kissing his cheek, I whispered in his ear. “I wish I could’ve met you outside of these walls. I think our story would’ve been amazing. Thank you, Stocke. Bye.” I kissed him again for good measure and stepped away, ready to escape into the night.
I took a few steps when his hand reached down, grabbing mine and stopping us. “It’s Malek. My name is Malek Stocke. Be safe, Ojos de ángel.” He squeezed my hand once before letting go and walking around the corner from where we’d been. I knew we wouldn’t have long now before he’d have to do his job, but I didn’t want to leave him.
Beau and Nat didn’t have the same sentiment, and within seconds, Beau lifted me into his arms, carrying me as they ran. The movement was too much, so I closed my eyes and dreamed of a world where Darren Delgado didn’t exist, and I still believed I could do anything.
* * *
