His gaze is filled with worry, anguish, and apologies, though none of those things are mentioned. “They wouldn’t tell me anything, so I bothered them until they brought me to your room. You have a lot more color to your face than you did the last time I saw you. God, I didn’t know if you were going to make it at first. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get us out of there.”

  “Your wounds?”

  He lifts his gown until I’m staring at his wrapped abdomen. “Two superficial stabs, one to the side and the other to my back. They didn’t go deep enough to reach organs, otherwise I wouldn’t be standing here, or sitting.”

  “You saved us.”

  “I don’t think it counts for anything when I’m the one who put your life in danger to begin with. I don’t even deserve your gratitude, Soph. I should have told you about Garreth. I could have prevented all of this from happening. I knew he was messed up in the head, but I never thought he’d reach this level of insanity. He’s not like my mom. He’s dangerous. That bastard was prepared to kill us. He needs to be caught and put down. He’s no brother of mine, that’s for sure. He’s a sick asshole. If I could kill him myself I would. I’ll never forgive myself for what he did to you. How he left you for dead. I know he probably did more and you’re not telling me.”

  “Garver,” I say as I reach for his hand. He doesn’t give it to me right away. A long exhale, followed by a shake of his head, like a personal punishment comes before he allows himself to lace his hand with mine. “You saved my life when I thought it was over.”

  Nodding, he refrains from words.

  “Garver, they can’t reach my father. Even my attending nurse has tried. No answer. Dad wouldn’t go that long without having his phone on, especially if he was trying to search for me. Something is wrong. I can feel it deep down inside. Garreth said he was going to hurt Dad. What if he already did something?”

  “The police were called and told to go to the house. When they get there, we can get some answers. I’m sure they aren’t going to be much longer. You know they already posted officers outside your door, right?”

  He waits until I shake my head, unknowing there was someone protecting me without my knowledge.

  He continues. “It’s not like crime is high here. This will be the biggest story since my dad’s murder.”

  Hearing this doesn’t put my mind at ease. It instead sends my overactive, panicked mind into overdrive. I picture every possible worst scenario I can conjure in my tired mind. I envision my poor unknowing father being killed a dozen different ways. Before I can request a waste container I’m hurling all over myself. The inconsolable truth hits me like a smack to the face. I can’t communicate what’s wrong with the worried nurse. My vitals go crazy and I’m suddenly concerned I may never be able to get out of this place until they figure out how to treat every one of my ailments.

  Hours pass. I’m interrogated by the police, both with Garver and without. They ask me questions that lead me to believe they suspect he may be involved. As much as I try to convince them otherwise, I can tell they’re still on the fence.

  Since I didn’t actually see Garreth, they keep insisting it could have been Garver. Even as I explain how we were tied together and then freed, even when I explain his injuries and how he carried me all the way to that farm, I can’t make them see the danger. Worst of all, if they suspect Garver and are just waiting for him to confess to something he didn’t do or had nothing to do with, no one is looking out for my dad. The investigator assured me a car was sent to the house, but he’s still yet to show.

  Garver makes one more final plea. Without speaking to me first, he calls the officer into my room and tells them he knows for a fact that his brother has plans on harming my dad. He says he was in on the whole ordeal, but got scared at the last minute. He doesn’t even look at me when he says this, not even when they are handcuffing him and reading him his rights.

  Now I’m sick for another reason.

  Could this be true?

  Had this been a plan masterminded by both brothers to get their house back? If so, was everything part of the plan, or is this a lie too?

  Hours pass and still no word from anyone. It’s not like I have any other family I can call to come sit with me. My father is all I have left in this world and knowing he’s not here causes my throat to constrict. I’m panicked in the worst of ways, and I know the only way to seek resolution is to get out of this place and find my dad myself.

  The fear of not knowing is debilitating. The answers I seek could leave me with nothing. As much as I longed to get away from this town, from my father and what he’s become, I can’t begin to explain the torture I’m succumbing to. Losing Mom broke us, but together we still had something. We still had each other, even when we were both at our worst, even when I failed to see how his pain was somehow deeper than mine. They’d promised a lifetime of memories, and while they had a lot of good years, he was robbed of many more. My stomach knots at the reminiscent thought of how much I remind him of my mother. I’m not sure a constant reminder would help me move forward. Instead, I’d stay stuck in a past I know I’ll never get back.

  We can’t time travel to fix what has ended badly. Every second that passes becomes our history etched in stone forever. The past is the only thing in life that’s forever. How sad is that?

  Imagining a life without Dad - imagining him having a life without me, I can’t fathom either of us being able to get through it, not again, not so soon.

  By morning I’m exhausted with worry. Observation and treatment have been administered. For the first time in my life I’m able to sign myself out, though there’s nothing celebratory about it. I have to call Frank to come get me. When he arrives, he's not alone. Garver is out of police custody. He carries a welcoming smile, but I’m torn. Half the night was spent imagining how things could have been different.

  Garver turns to Frank. “Give us a minute?”

  Frank exits the room, and I notice the officer posted to my room starts up a conversation with him.

  Garver fidgets. “Look, about the other day,” he begins. There’s hesitation, followed by a heavy exasperated sigh. “I knew you wanted answers and felt like you weren’t getting anywhere. I thought that if I said I had something to do with it they’d at least reveal details that could help us pin down Garreth’s location. It only took Frank coming into the station to put a stop to the interrogation. That night you were taken Frank showed up at the bowling center. He’d forgotten to write out some checks for venders that were due in the morning, and since I don’t have authority, he wanted to make sure it was taken care of. Honestly, I think he knew I was planning on staying there and wanted to convince me to come home. The cops know it wasn’t me, because I took Frank up on the offer.” He scratches his head. “He and Kathy were sitting in the living room with me when your dad called looking for you.”

  “You could still be working with Garreth.”

  “Yeah, I guess, but I’m not and I think you know that in your heart of hearts. It’s killing me to see you like this. Do you think it’s possible for me to inflict pain on you for fun?”

  I shrug. “You could have multiple personalities.”

  “Yeah, maybe. I suppose with my family history I could have blackouts and commit heinous crimes too.” He says it like it’s a joke.

  “I don’t know what to believe.”

  He answers in a whisper. “I’d never ever hurt you. I’d risk my life over and over again to keep you safe. Believe what you want. I’m telling you the truth.”

  The room is quiet. Garver goes out to retrieve Frank and they proceed to get me discharged.

  The ride to where I’ll be staying is quiet. Neither have information on Dad, and I’m not in the mood to start a new conversation. My body feels like it’s been run over by a car. I have bruises all over me. I need a long shower with real shampoo and not something the hospital provides. I want to sleep in a bed with comfort quality and pillows that aren’t covered in sanitary plastic. Above all, I just want to be left alone for a little while so I can recover.

  Frank’s house is small in comparison to the Collinswood home. The ranch style red brick front is trimmed with black shutters and flower boxes at each window. There is a two car garage with a fancy wooden door. As I study the exterior, Garver reaches over and takes my hand. We’ve yet to discuss things between us. Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to that. Too much was kept from me, and regardless of his reasons, he put my family in danger by keeping us in the dark. If protecting me was his motive, it backfired and went in the opposite direction.

  It’s been three long days of missing my father - three long days of wondering where he could be, or if he’s still alive. The grueling reality is that I know for a fact Garreth isn’t done. Once he learns Garver and I survived he’ll stop at nothing to find us. I suppose I’m what’s left standing in the way of his family estate, or what’s left of it.

  I have it in my mind that burning the sucker down will bring him out of hiding, but at what cost would it take from me? I’ve already lost hope of finding my father unharmed. He’s been putting his blood, sweat, and tears into that house. If it’s the only thing I have left of him I’m not about to destroy it, or let some asshat with a vendetta take it away from me. We put everything we had left into that house. I’ve come to realize the value in it. It’s not like I haven’t had plenty of time to think about it. My brain refuses to shut off.

  Garver’s room isn’t what I expect. It’s not one room, but an entire basement. He has a designated area for his bedroom, and a large bookshelf sections it off from a lounge space. There’s a small flat screen television with a video game system sitting on the floor in front of it. A cracked door on the far side displays part of a toilet, which tells me it’s the bathroom. There’s also another open door that leads to a laundry area. On the bookshelf a variety of trophies are displayed on the top row. When I get closer I see they are from baseball, soccer and bowling. Some of them date back to when Garver was only ten years old. Frank has given him a good life. He’s been a parent to Garver, whether he wants to admit it or not. “Nice digs,” I say to break the silence between us.

  Garver plops down on his bed and taps the spot beside him. “Get over here. The doctor gave you strict orders of rest. You can be nosey later.”

  I pull a book out from the shelf. It’s part of a series about dragon slayers. I read the back synopsis before looking over the book to spy him watching me. “You’ve kept your nerd well hidden.”

  He scoffs and brings a pillow over his face while mumbling something into the fabric so I can’t make it out. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m sure there’s a lot of guys who want to be wizards when they grow up.”

  The pillow flies through the air and hits the book out of my hands.

  There’s a carnal look in the way he’s staring at me, as if his intentions are pouring off of his hot body. A knot forms in the pit of my stomach when I consider letting go and giving myself to him. He’s easy on the eyes, and since I already know how skillful he can be in the bedroom it’s hard to pass on. Verging my breaking point, I have to turn away.

  When the upstairs door opens and I hear footfalls I have a sigh of relief. Garver won’t have to hear my rejection, at least not right now.

  Both Frank and his wife sit us down to have a heart to heart. I already know I’m not going to like this before he begins speaking.

  “Sophie, as you know the police are diligently working on locating your father. Since your grandparents live so far away we’ve agreed to let you stay with us temporarily. While you’re here we need to lay down some ground rules. First and foremost, you and Garver aren’t allowed to sleep in the same bed. We have young boys we don’t want thinking it’s okay.”

  I nod. I get it. I really do. I’m actually okay with it, because I don’t want Garver pushing himself on me. I’m at his house because I have nowhere else to go. This wasn’t my choice. It’s my last resort.

  Frank’s wife Kathy continues. “We know you’re both legally adults. We can’t force you to stay here, but we’d feel better if you did. What happened to you is just awful. Garreth was going to let you both die out there. Frank and I have spoken to the Sheriff and he thinks it would be beneficial if you refrained from working at the bowling center.”

  Garver responds before Kathy can further explain. “Come on. He’d be stupid to come after us again.”

  Frank interjects. “He took Sophie from the parking lot. He’s clearly out of his mind. I wouldn’t put anything past him. If I have to close until he’s caught to keep you two safe that’s how it’s going to be.”

  Before Garver can get smart and start an argument about our freedom, I offer my opinion. “You don’t have to worry about me. The doctor said I couldn’t return to regular activity for a couple days, and even after that I don’t think I’m in the right place to be around the public. I was going to ask if I could have off until they find my dad.”

  Frank and Kathy look toward Garver. He tosses his hands in the air. “Fine. We’ll stay put.”

  Kathy walks over and places the back of her hand on my forehead. “I think you need some more medicine. Your fever is coming back. You should probably get a shower and try to sleep. Your energy level is going to take a while to return.”

  “Thank you for this. I’m sorry if I’m a burden.”

  She places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Neither of you are burdens. We care about you. Don’t even worry about us. I’ll be back in a second. I’m going to grab some things to keep you comfortable.”

  Kathy leaves while Frank remains standing, playing with the loose change in his pockets. “Sophie, I want to apologize for my part in all of this. We’ve never had trouble with Garreth, and I honestly never thought I’d see or hear from him again. Last I heard he was doing time in prison. If I would have known you’d be in danger at all I would have come to you and your dad.”

  I hold up my hand. “It’s not your fault, Frank.” When I say it I look right at Garver. He has to know I hold him accountable. “Thank you for letting me stay here. I promise not to be a pain. As soon as my dad turns up I’ll be out of your hair.”

  He offers a smile, but says nothing. I think he understands I need some time to deal with the situation and accept it could be too late for my dad.

  Once Frank has gone upstairs and his wife has brought down some more feminine smelling soap and shampoo, along with extra pillows and blankets, Garver tries to weasel his way back into my good graces. He sits next to me on the bed and reaches his hand over to place it over mine. Refusing to look him in the eye, my view remains downcast and bereft. “Don’t.”

  “I’m just trying to be supportive, Soph. I care about your dad too.”

  Shoving him until he somewhat rolls off the bed, I explain my reasoning further. “Don’t you get it? I’m here because I have nowhere else to go. I’m here because of you. I’m here because you’re a selfish asshole. You did this to us. Don’t you dare stand there saying how you care about us. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear any of it. Just stay away from me. We are done, Garver. I can’t do this.” My hands run through my hair as an exhausted sigh expels. “I never should have let this happen between us. I could have prevented it. I wouldn’t have lost the only parent I have left. You took away the last piece of family I had.”

  He starts to say something. He even stands, turns to leave, then twists around and takes a step toward me. Nonetheless, I think he understands I’m in no position or mood to deal with him. He heads upstairs to the first floor and I hear the door close behind him.

  Alone in my own self-induced prison, I replay the past months in my head desperately trying to come up with any clues as to how we got here. How I got here. How I let myself fall down the rabbit hole.

  This. Is. All. My. Fault.

  I’ve been obsessively attempting to get in touch with the officer assigned to my case, but it’s looking more like he is one of two on duty and currently in the middle of managing a vehicle accident on one of the nearby highways.

  Frank replaced Garver’s cell phone and I’ve been doing my best to reach Dad’s co-workers only to discover they’re as worried as I am. Everyone in town apparently knows Garver and I were found and that the person who took us is still out there. Frank says members of his church congregation are planning a search in the morning. There are miles and miles of forest surrounding this town.

  The tears keep coming. I could cry a river and it wouldn’t bring me any closer to finding my father.

  I’ve prayed. I’ve pleaded with God, for my mother’s help, for anyone to hear my prayers. Every time I try to close my eyes I see him. I see him being tortured. I see him begging for his life. I see the police leading me into a morgue to identify his body.

  I’m losing it. Maybe I’ve already lost it. Nothing will stop the pain, the fear, the regrets.

  Taking the toiletries provided, I head into Garver’s bathroom and turn on the shower. Undressing is agonizing. Parts of my body still ache from the recent trauma. I peel off the rest of my clothes and step under the stream of water hoping to wash away at least some of my disgust.

  It only takes seconds for me to break down and fall into a ball on the shower floor. Without even realizing it I’m rocking back and forth, the volume of my wailing has no limit. The door opens, albeit I’m in no position to look in that direction in my current state. The curtain is shifted to the side and I feel the presence of someone coming in. Strong arms pull me to them and I allow it. I hate myself for wanting the comfort. I hate everything about this.

  In my heart I know this isn’t right. I can’t allow this to happen. I can’t...stop it.