Page 28 of The Plunge

Chapter 13

Libby

With the darkness of the night comes a new spate of fear and worry. The beautiful sunset that dipped the valley in warm colors, the birds singing their good night songs, and the calm breeze whispering through the bushes surrounding the small house provided a false sense of security. It was too beautiful, too peaceful to worry.

The night is different. I can see nothing but black vastness through the windows, a perfect hiding place for all evil. If anyone followed us up here, they'd probably wait until nightfall to attack.

Keane never left my side, and I didn't mind one bit. If what he told me is true, I shouldn't have anything to worry about. As long as no one knows I exist, no one will come looking for me.

But if they come looking for him? What if they show up here, and Keane is willing to sacrifice me to save himself?

It's not like that's such an impossible thing to imagine.

I want to believe him, though. I want to trust him. I don't know what his plan is, but everything he told me lines up perfectly with his actions so far.

He never shot me on purpose. He took me to safety. He took care of me. He makes sure I'm getting better, and he doesn't leave my side because he wants to protect me.

I'm allowed a fraction of privacy to freshen up by myself in the bathroom. Just like the rest of the house, it looks new and unused, containing a big bathtub that I would love to use but can't because of my wounds. My left arm is still in a splint, forcing it in place close to my body while my shoulder is still covered in thick and heavy bandages. The graze shot wound at my hip is doing a lot better and healing nicely, but even that would probably not react well to a long, hot bath.

I'm forced to keep things down to a cat lick, but at least I can do it on my own now. For the past few days, it was always the doctor who awkwardly helped me with cleaning, displaying just as much discomfort as I was experiencing. It's a small step, but being able to wash myself all on my own feels like a massive victory tonight.

When I walk out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a loose shirt and jogging pants that are a few sizes too big, I find Keane standing in front of the door.

"These are your clothes, aren't they?" I ask, feeling a blush of shame travel across my cheeks.

He nods. "I didn't expect to have any company up here. You'll have to excuse the limited choice in outfits."

We exchange a look heavy with questions.

"So were you planning to take a little vacation up here by yourself?" I give voice to one of them. "After the job was done?"

He presses his lips together and crosses his strong arms in front of his chest. "Something like that."

He offers his hand for support, but I refuse it. I can feel myself getting stronger with every single step I take on my own, and the sooner I regain my strength and health, the better.

There's only one bedroom upstairs, right next to the bathroom. It's just as simple and clean as the living room, equipped with only the most basic furniture: a king-size bed with white linen, dark wooden nightstands on each side, and a matching dresser pushed against the wall to my left. White curtains are closed in front of the windows to the right of the bed and along the wall at the foot of the bed.

The room has everything one needs but not a single item more than that.

"You'll sleep here," he announces, standing next to me after I enter the room. "Wearing these."

He holds up a pair of handcuffs, the same ones used to tie me to the compensatory hospital bed.

I shake my head. "No. Please. I don't want to be cuffed to the bed!"

He frowns at me. "That's not up for debate. It's for your own sa—"

"How is being tied down for my own safety?" I cut him off, relishing the fact that he takes a step back when I approach him, my chin raised defiantly.

"You might get some stupid ideas," he says, raising an eyebrow at me. "Run off in the middle of the night, jump out the window. I can't trust you to be reasonable."

I furrow my eyebrows as I look up at him. "Where would I even go in the middle of the night? As you said, I don't even know where we are."

He shakes his head. "You'll wear the cuffs, whether you like it or not."

"Where will you sleep?" I bark another question him.

"Downstairs. On the sofa."

---