oken

hip while we watch her favorite thriller. "That girl is brave enough to dial 911 in th

he couch, saying, "I'm getting goosebumps." Her gaze is fixed on the

oughts have been elsewhere, making it dif

d, "Yeah," and tu

ying attention. My behavior over the last few hours betrays the opposite

xas a year ago. As we had arranged a few weeks prior, they had

enjoying a Netflix

ne, notably Max, who returned home at lunchtime lookin

f course. Ethan is l

row in his face clearly in my eyes, and each time I want to ignore that

rson he loves and thought he would spend the rest of his

on anything. I am unable to eat. Sleeping is imposs

h my, it's captivating. As she continues to discuss the movie

When the kidnapper unexpectedly shows up next to the girl

sister, Bailey giggles. "That's

ait

ntion of that term. I'm feeli

t fea

y heart pounding in my chest. I'm not sure why

assed. He can't possibly have been waiting f

order an Uber, throw my phone on the bed, and hastily change out of my

h wide eyes. They all ask at th

e I ordered is close by and

at my cousin's residence is urgent. I put my rucksac

oom and head for the front

ea asks anxiously. "W

They had no idea that I wouldn't be going

"I called an Uber,"

ate in the evening. B

'm pleading. "I'll be all right. I must leave now

art running. I dash into the propert

her than a pitch-black building. My concern is heightened by the sight,

t true, please.

el like I know what'

heavily as I move along the garden's sidewalk. I can

people there. I'm hop

legs abruptly sto

, but I'm afraid to enter. Instead

suit, Ethan Blake is seated

is where he has remained. He

e's on the phone. I cradle my knees while turning to face

he next thing he says after pausing for a moment. His voice is tremulous, hardly audi

his response, m

unk

e woman he loves took

hey beginning

ar anything. I take another look, and

overs his eyes with his t

t as he heaves up and down. I feel like the

and still another. Like the tears that are now

s my eyes shut, and cradle my knees on the f

in is palpable to me. It's right here, so nea

her. He a

not fai

ongside him, doing my best not to cry. I

Seeing him wee

ot sure how long I'll cry because I can

voice in my thoughts, yet

s twitch. I still can

you sleepi

as I thrust my body b

n makes m

, given his attire and gloves, appears t

birds chirping fills the air, the sun'

and wake you up. I'm glad you're conscious. Why do you sleep here? A

n too late? On the g

d glance into the hal

" I hesitate, wonder

ed right before your awakening. Being abandoned like that at the altar, poor man. In embarrassment, the gardener shakes his he

get up with difficulty. I cried all night long,

look around. My lips release a ge

n has