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The presence of a teardrop trailing down my temple and into my ear has my eyes fluttering shut.
If I think about it hard enough, I can imagine Ryan trailing his fingers across my face and leaving me with gentle kisses. The day I found out I had to give my statement...Ryan was perfect, especially when panic gripped me at the thought of what was to come.
As if sensing my thoughts, Ryan comes up next to us and runs a finger along my jaw, causing shivers to race down my spine.
"Eve, we don't have to be there with you if you don't want us to. I know that would be super overwhelming, honey." He shoots a look behind him to the others standing a few feet back. "I do think it would be good for one of us to be with you for support, though. It's up to you, but we do need to get an update on the case." Ry swoops down before I can register what's happening and leaves a feather-light kiss on my cheek before stepping back behind Kor.
A quiet, anguished sob splits my lips wide. A silent scream adds itself to the sorrow raging from me, the clenched heaving aggravating my tummy.
Nolan and Ryan laid their hearts out for me right after that. They told me how much they wanted me, how they loved me...and I crumbled at their feet.
I want that now. To be able to lay my broken self in front of them and bask in their love and warmth again.
Tears dampen my hair, and urine soaks my dress. Tears trickle down my face while blood flows freely from my wounds.
Broken again. Tired. My eyes refuse to open any longer, and I don't fight it. I'll fight tomorrow...just a little rest.
Chapter 8
Nolan
It's been five days. Five days since Kyle took her away from me. From us. Looking at us, though, you would think that Eve has been missing for a year.
I'm just so tired.
I physically don't know how much more I can handle. I constantly feel sick to my stomach, and I'm not getting enough sleep. Every time I doze, images of Eve in that hospital bed plague my dreams.
Her eyes hollow and terrified...her body broken.
I know I can't give up...I won't stop till I find her. But the longer she's gone, the further I feel myself slipping into dark territory. Ryan is worried about me, even though his only focus should be on Eve.
I'm fine. Fine enough to keep going. I have to be because nothing will ever be okay without Eve.
None of us are doing good. We have been running on minimal sleep, snacks, and energy drinks. It's only getting worse too. After we found out that we lost them again yesterday afternoon, the energy shifted.
Depression and guilt hang heavy in the air, which only works to weigh me down even more. Thoughts of what we could have done differently taunt me toward insanity. We just keep failing.
We are hanging on by a thread... so what does that mean for Eve?
I don't remember feeling this way the first time. I was depressed and scared, sure. This is different now. Eve and I have a connection that only someone you have spent every waking moment with would have. She's my life mate, and we keep getting separated in the most horrific ways.
I don't know if I believe in supernatural shit, but I know for a fact that Eve and I are connected in some way. My turmoil is an endless pit trying to suck the light out of me. I feel so physically unwell that it makes no sense when I haven't done anything.
Sure, it makes sense for me to feel weak and tired. This feels so fucking wrong, though.
When Eve was in that basement before she escaped, there was a time when I could feel her slipping away from me. It was like a part of my soul was being shredded apart.
The piece of my soul where Eve resides feels like it's deteriorating, leaving me nauseous, clammy, and shaky.
Maybe I'm just crazy. I don't know anymore. I just know Eve needs safety and her family.
"Nolan," Ryan's voice sounds like it's far away from where my head leans against the car window.
Still driving.
"Nol," this time, his voice is accompanied by a gentle touch on my thigh, effectively drawing my attention to the heat of his palm over my sweatpants.
Dragging my bleary eyes from the forestry in the distance, I twist my head to Ry. He doesn't look the greatest either; we all need a shower.
