Page 6 of Shadow

Instead of the cold, unforgiving walls of her cell, she found herself in the back seat of a truck. Her breath came in ragged gasps as the remnants of her nightmare lingered, threatening to pull her back into the depths of fear. Then, someone grasped her arm, and she recoiled instinctively, ready to lash out at whoever dared touch her.

But when she looked up, she was met with a familiar and concerned face—Shadow. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him, his presence a comforting anchor.

“You’re safe, Camilla. Just a bad dream,” Shadow said.

She took a moment to steady her breathing, allowing his words to sink in. This wasn’t her cell, and Rigs wasn’t lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.

She was free, and this was her new reality.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she glanced out the truck windows and saw another truck, filled with the other women. She sighed in relief. They were all safe, free from the clutches of their captors.

As the realization washed over her, Camilla reached out and pinched herself, the sharp sting of pain confirming this was indeed reality.

Camilla couldn’t believe she had let herself fall asleep in a stranger’s car, especially after everything she had been through.

As she sat beside Shadow, she felt a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude for his presence. Camilla couldn’t put her finger on it, but with Shadow beside her, she found a strange sense of comfort.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep in a stranger’s car,” she confessed. “The last time I let my guard down like this...”

She trailed off, memories of the past flooding her mind. Despite the presence of another biker at the wheel, it felt as though it was just the two of them, sharing a rare moment of intimacy.

“Yeah?” Shadow’s gentle prodding encouraged her to continue.

Camilla hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something in Shadow’s gaze urged her to continue.

“I left the house without telling my brother or anyone else where I was going,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just wanted to go jogging at the nearby park, clear my head, you know?”

Instinctively, she drew her knees to her chest, seeking solace in the familiar gesture of self-protection. But then, with a surge of determination, she straightened her posture, refusing to appear weak or helpless any longer.

“What happened next?” Shadow’s voice was laced with genuine concern.

As he reached out, placing his hand over hers, Camilla felt a warmth spread through her, banishing the lingering chill of her nightmares.

He stroked the exposed skin of her knee, his touch gentle yet reassuring. She allowed herself to lean into his touch, to enjoy it, because it was temporary. Whatever this strange connection they had formed, it wouldn’t last.

“I started on a less-used path which ended at a parking lot. I was refilling my water bottle when a black unmarked van pulled up...” Camilla trailed off, the memories of that fateful day flooding back with painful clarity.

Shadow could probably figure out the rest, so she didn’t continue.

“I’m sorry for everything you and the other women have gone through,” Shadow said, his voice filled with genuine empathy.

Despite his reassuring words, a seed of doubt began to gnaw at her insides. Outside the window, they passed a sign welcoming them to Hanging Grove. Camilla couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about Shadow and his motorcycle club’s motives. What if they were just pretending to be benevolent saviors, only to turn out like the Reapers?

“This town serves as our base,” Shadow explained, probably sensing her apprehension.

His words only served to heighten her anxiety. Were they taking her and the other women to their MC headquarters?

Camilla needed to know what was going to happen next, needed reassurance that we wouldn’t be subjected to the same horrors they had escaped from.

“The thought of that frightens you,” Shadow observed, his keen insight unsettling.

“I don’t want to be in unfamiliar territory,” Camilla confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s a good point. Let me give Priest a call,” Shadow said, surprising her with his willingness to address her concerns.

Camilla found herself listening in on his conversation, the tension coiling in her stomach as she waited for his response.

“We’ll put you and the other women up in a motel near town,” Shadow finally said, his words soothing her frayed nerves.

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