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"Eve. Wake up," Mom says more urgently, getting in my face.
"What? Momma..." The confusion fades away when I realize I'm seeing my mom for the first time in over seven years. "Mom!" I fling myself at her, needing to feel her comfort.
"Hi, baby," her words are mumbled into my shoulder as she grips me back just as tightly.
I can't help the sobs that burst from my chest, nor can I contain the tears of joy at finally being in her arms again. Words cannot describe the ache in my soul, nor can they express the sheer bliss lighting up my body.
"Momma, I mi-missed you so much. I got back, and y-you were gone!" My last word is spoken as a wail of anguish from my heart. I grip her tighter, swearing I will never, ever let go, ever again.
"I missed you too, so so much." She leans back from me, her own cheeks streaked with tears. "Evelyn, I need you to listen to me."
I shake my head and throw myself at her again, unable to get enough. I don't know if I'm fucking crazy or if I actually died, but...I'm never leaving her.
"Eve." Her tone is sharp as she nudges me away, yet her eyes are glassy and filled with understanding. "You need to wake up."
"What? No." I shake my head even though I'm not quite sure what she means.
"Yes. I need you to think. Where are you right now?" She brushes away some of the flyaway hairs from my wet cheeks.
"I'm with y-you, where I want to be." I hiccup and frown when she shakes her head at me.
"No, Eve. Where are you?"
"I-" It all comes rushing back. The kidnapping, the hotels, and the forest. All the awful aches and pains, the drugs. Fuck, the kick to my stomach. Freezing cold nights. Running. Bleeding. Kyle's voice. More running. Then...nothing. I fell.
"I'm with you now," my voice is firm, with no wobble to take away my conviction. I don't know what this is, but it beats being, well...beaten.
"No, sweetheart. You have to go back." Another tear drips from her eyelashes.
"No, I don't want to. I want to stay here." My anxiety reaches new heights when she shakes her head at me.
"What about Nolan?"
That gives me pause. I don't know...if I'm being honest. He has Ryan, and clearly, if I'm speaking with my mom right now, something is seriously wrong with me. Steeling myself, I straighten my shoulders.
"He will be okay; he has Ryan." My next statement is quiet, "Plus, he's too late."
"And what about Amiri and Korren, Evelyn?" Shit, now she's frustrated.
"I-I don't know. They will be fine; they didn't know me for long." I just want my mom; I'm so sick of hurting...of fighting. I know I said I would do everything I could to get back home to my guys, but didn't I already do that? If this is heaven or whatever, that means I LITERALLY did everything I could.
Mom's face softens as she lays her palm over my cheek. "Sweetheart, they love you. None of them will be okay. And neither will you."
"But-I want to be with you!" Hunching over, I try to ease the soul-wrenching pain that grips me at the possibility of leaving her.
She shushes me, "You have to wake up, okay? I love you so much, and I swear I will be right here." Her hand hovers over my right shoulder.
Snapping my head up, memories flicker in my mind. In the hospital when I was breaking down in the shower...I felt a warm weight right there. The same thing happened a few more times after I moved in with the guys.
"That was you? I know you've always said that, but..." My chin wobbles.
"I'm always with you, little warrior. I promise." she leans in and kisses my forehead, her tears dripping onto my face.
"Momma, no, please. I want to stay with you!" I cry out, gripping her arms like she will be taken from me at any moment.
"And they need you to stay with them. It's not your time yet, Evie. You have so much life to live that's not filled with darkness." A sob bursts from her lips as she presses our foreheads together. "I'm so so so sorry for not finding you. But I am so fucking proud of you, Evelyn Faye Miller. You saved yourself, and you will not lose hope this time either. Those men out there, they haven't given up on you, so please, baby. Please, don't give up on yourself."
I cry out when sudden pain in my stomach and shoulder pierces through me. "What's happening?" Doubling over and gripping her forearms, I pant for breath at the excruciating pain radiating through my entire body.
