Page 34 of Calling Quarters

“Listen, Julia. I'm not sure what you think you're going to accomplish with this, but I can assure you, I'm not worth the trouble.” Beau hit a bump and the back of my head banged against the metal behind me.

“It's no trouble, really. You see, it was supposed to be me. The Rists and the Wildes have always been intertwined. We figured it was just a matter of time before he needed me. Then you came along, and it's like you're all he can see. Inquiring minds want to know why.”

She was rambling on in code, clearly out of her mind. The others watched her with confused expressions that likely matched my own, but she didn't pay them any attention.

No, her focus was solely on me.

Her lips curled into a sinister grin when she noticed my frown at the mention of Remy. She looked me up and down and the grin turned into a snarl.

If I didn't know better, I'd guess that she was jealous. Of what, I couldn't say because whatever was happening between me and Remy wasn't glamorous or worth flaunting. It was raw and carnal and terrifying.

Beau suddenly pulled over to the side of the road and slammed the van into park. The others gathered their gear and filed out the same door they came in. Julia hesitated behind them, shoving my shoulder when I didn't move out before her. I stumbled forward and nearly fell onto the gravel but caught myself at the last second.

They let Julia lead the way and I was told to walk behind her while the rest hung back a few paces to make sure I didn't try to run away. She walked us into the woods beside the road, probably trying to avoid being seen by anyone who might drive down the private street.

It was such a surreal experience. I'd never considered what I would do if I were kidnapped, and now I knew I was absolutely useless in a crisis situation. I'm sure Aunt Ash would've had something planned out. She'd already have escaped somehow, always able to think quickly on her feet. I wished I had paid more attention to her. If only I listened to what I assumed were the ramblings of a paranoid woman, I'd be better prepared for every curveball Beacon Grove had thrown me thus far.

Julia's steps progressively became sloppier as whatever drug-induced cloud she was floating on fully kicked in. We took one last turn from the woods and were spit out onto the unique black sand. When the Wildes'house came into view, I couldn't stop my eyes from scaling it for his balcony. Of course, he was there, witnessing my attack but completely unaware that it was happening.

I wished I could scream or signal to him that I needed help. I knew there was no guarantee he would rescue me. It would be worth a try, though, wouldn’t it?

The group made it seem as if I'd chosen to be here with them. They spread out and walked as one unit now, keeping me directly in the middle. Julia stopped abruptly and spread her towel onto the sand, claiming a random spot off to the side. Everyone else followed suit and the conversation flowed easily between them while they set up camp and passed around plastic cups that Beau was filling with beer from the small keg he had carried in.

The weather was colder this close to the water and wasn’t ideal for a day at the beach, making the scene before me feel even more off. The sky was overcast in gray and heavy clouds hung low, threatening to open themselves up to us. I watched my captors motionlessly, unsure what my next move should be.

I wouldn't doubt that based on how difficult it had become for all of them to walk, I had a good chance of escaping if I made a quick break for it. The only problem would be navigating the woods. I think if I found the road again, I'd be able to get back into town quickly and find someone to help me. Maybe Remy would witness my escape and realize something was off.

But would he care?

It was a silly, desperate thought. If he knew what I was to him, he'd hunt me down himself. I'm sure he was far more dangerous for me than any of these people combined. Yet somehow, he was the only witness to this horrible twist of fate.

My only hope.

“So, New Girl. Tell us what makes you so special. Everyone seems to be in an uproar over you being here,” Julia slurred, interrupting my trailing thoughts.

Everyone besides Beau had formed a circle around me on their towels while I stood in the middle of them. The beer she was holding sloshed around in her hand as she swayed, spilling onto her legs and towel without her even realizing it.

“I don't know,” I answered honestly, afraid to say something that might get her even more riled up. She was too unpredictable to argue with right now.

One of the nameless girls let out a sardonic laugh, lifting her beer to her lips as she peered at me over the cup. Her nude bikini left little to the imagination and when she leaned back onto her elbows, Beau and the other guy openly stared.

“Come on now, that can't be true,” Julia purred. “You've clearly got a huge ego, thinking you’re too good to make time for us. I'm sure you love talking about yourself. Tell us where you're from.”

“Just leave her alone, Julia. Don’t you think you’ve taken this far enough?” the girl with black hair braved.

I wished I remembered her name. I wished I remembered all their names, so I could try to appeal to at least one of them. To beg for them to let me go before this went any farther.

Julia glared at the girl, and they locked into a stare-off. The others shifted uncomfortably for a moment before attempting to make conversation with each other to avoid the tension between the two girls. The exchange seemed familiar to them, and they handled the quiet argument that erupted between their friends with ease, not bothering to get involved.

Each of them was so distracted with the drama that they’d left the perfect opening for me to run. In a split second, I made the choice.

My feet carried me over their towels and through the sand easily, until Beau took one step toward me, reached out and swung something at the back of my head.

With a crack and a grunt, I fell to the ground and the gray skies filled my vision until they slowly faded into black.

Chapter 20

Storie

---