Page 54 of Allison

A few minutes later the three little dots appear.

Allison:I’m home, but I have many things to do. Important stories to write and get put in the news.

He frowns at the odd wording.

May I call you? I just want to talk.

Allison:No. I’m busy. I don’t have time right now. You need to forget about me. It was just sex, nothing more. I’m a busy and important woman. I don’t have time for you.

Worm frowns again. Emma is correct. Something isn’t right. He needs to ask her something only she would know the answer to, something no one else would be able to respond to correctly.

Just one more?

He waits, both wanting and not wanting her to give the correct reply.

Allison:No. Absolutely not. I’ve told you it was just a fling. Stop texting me.

Worm’s heart sinks. He knows without a doubt Allison is not the person texting him.

“It’s not her,” he announces to the room. All eyes swing to him.

“How do you know it’s not Allison?” Wallace asks from the open phone line.

“We kinda had this thing, where I’d say something and she would always say the same thing back,” Worm tells them, swallowing back the emotions, making his throat thick and hard to talk. “She didn’t respond like she should have. Not even close.”

A brief silence follows his declaration, then sobs come from Hack’s phone. Wallace is murmuring something to calm Emma down.

“I’m trying to locate where her phone is and I’m still working to gain access to CCTV footage in San Diego,” Hack informs them, “but I haven’t gotten in yet.

“However, I have found a few things. She had an Uber pick her up from the airport in San Diego, after calling the number from early in the morning once she’d landed. The call lasted less than a minute. I’m working to find the owner of that number and see what I can find out about them.”

“How long is that going to take?” Worm demands, fear riding him. “She’s been missing for hours. Anything could have happened to her…” He trails off not wanting to say his worst fears out loud. He begins pacing again.What’s happening to her? She must be so afraid.

“I don’t know how long it’s going to take,” Hack replies, with an apologetic tone. “Hopefully, less than an hour, but could be longer. I’ve contacted Tex. He’s using his resources, too.” He meets Worm’s gaze. “We’ll find her,” Hack says with confidence.

Worm looks around the room at his teammates and friends. Hawk, Charlotte, Tank, Ruby, and Lisa are nodding their agreement. He hopes they’re right. He hasn’t known Allison very long, but his feelings for her are strong. He can’t imagine never seeing or talking to her again. She has to be all right, but how could she be? He’s certain she isn’t the person sending those texts.Then where is she?

36

ALLISON

Allison wakes to find she’s still in the dank, musty smelling room where, to her best estimate, she’s been for the last three days. Her stomach rumbles loudly, protesting at the lack of substance. She’s been given two small meals each day along with a couple of bottles of water, just enough to sustain her, but not enough for her to keep up her strength. At this rate, she’ll be too weak to escape.

She’s spent the majority of her time looking for a way out, but she hasn’t been successful. The room is completely secure. The single door is always locked and despite the old worn appearance of everything else in the room, the door, its handle, and the hinges are all in excellent condition.

The first time they’d brought her a meal she’d hoped to use the utensils as a weapon, but apparently her captors are smarter than she’d given them credit for. They’ve only brought her meals that didn’t require so much as a spoon. Sandwiches, cold soup in a cup, and a few chips have been the staples she’s received. Nothing other than a full bottle of water to use as a weapon.

She’d tried that once, hiding behind the door when the fake Uber driver had returned to collect her wrappers from her meal. She’d had the bottle raised high when he entered the room, she leaped from behind the door and tried to bean him over the head, but he was taller than she’d remembered. Her aim had been off. She’d hit him in the upper back, but her hand with the bottle clutched tightly just bounced off him causing her to stumble.

The man had spun around, anger clear on his face. He’d grabbed her wrist roughly and twisted it painfully. She’d cried out as he dragged her to the bed and flung her down. “You’re damn lucky, the boss said we aren’t allowed to touch you bitch,” the man had growled at her. “Because without that order, I’d teach you the proper place for a cunt like you.”

He’d leered at her suggestively. His gaze had raked over her, undressing her with his eyes. She’d felt the bile rising as she’d realized his intention. He had then loomed over her. His hand had gripped her hair, jerking her head to the side painfully. “I’m hoping you keep defying the boss,” he’d whispered as he’d leaned closer, his breath brushing against her face.

“When he orders your disposal, I’m going to volunteer for the job.” He had chuckled dark and low. “I’ll take my time, get something I want before ending you.” He had grinned then, a cold, calculating grin that had sent shivers down Allison’s spine.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to fucking your cunt. Is it as tight as I’m imagining?” Allison had stared at him in horror, too shocked to reply. “Hmm?” he had questioned when she didn’t respond. “No matter, I’m sure you ass will be tight enough to please me if your cunt is too worn out. Although, I’m thinking a do-gooder like you, will have been limited in your sexual experiences. You’re not a common street whore, are you cunt?”

“What the hell is taking so long?” a male voice had yelled, as a newcomer had pushed open the door. “Get the fuck off her, you dumbass! The boss said not to touch her! I’m not going to take a beating for your inability to keep your dick in your pants. There is plenty of pussy for you to fuck upstairs. Now, let’s go!”

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