Page 86 of Unbearable

Before I could react, a strong hand seized my arm, yanking me backward. I tried to scream, but a rough hand covered my mouth, stifling my cries.

Panic surged as I struggled against my captor’s grip, but he dragged me toward the SUV. Fear and confusion raced through my mind.

In the chaos, my phone slipped from my grasp, clattering to the ground. I kicked and fought, desperate to break free, but the man overpowered me, shoving me into the backseat of the SUV.

The door slammed shut, plunging me into darkness, my heart pounding in my chest.

I had to think, had to find a way out.

A familiar voice spoke from the front seat.

“And here I was, thinking I wouldn’t see you today.”The voice dripped with anger, but its familiarity eluded me like an echo from a nightmare.

I looked up to see a gun pointed directly at my head. My pulse thundered in my ears, and I swallowed hard, his cold eyes the only visible feature behind a black ski mask.

“What... what do you want?” I managed, fighting to keep my voice steady despite the terror gripping me.

“I want you, Dotty. I need you. It’s time we were together.” The voice sent shivers down my spine.

He had found me.

“You’ve not been alone in months, yet you think you can leave Woodstone? Sorry, but I can’t let you disappear for another ten years.”

My mind raced.

Iknewthat voice, but my thoughts scrambled to match it to a face.

The familiarity intensified my fear, my breath quickening as I struggled to stay composed.

Desperation surged through me as I scrambled to open the side door of the SUV, only to find it locked. I frantically tugged at the handle, my heart pounding in my chest as I realized my escape route was sealed off.

“Who are you?” I whispered, hoping to stall for time, to devise a plan.

He laughed, a chilling sound that reverberated in the confined space of the car.

“Oh, Dotty, don’t pretend you’ve forgotten me. I’ve been watching. Waiting for the right moment.”

My heart pounded louder, hands trembling as I gripped the seat. Before I could respond, a sharp blow struck my temple. Pain exploded, and everything faded into darkness.

THIRTY-ONE

Trent

HOLD ON - CHORD OVERSTREET

Dorian,Colt, Sawyer, and I gathered around the table. David had already called it a night, and Gracie lay sleeping on the couch. We didn’t often have these moments with us all together, but it was always special when we did.

Dorian was my closest friend, and Colt and Sawyer were like older brothers to me. But even with the comfort of their company, everything felt wrong.

My chest tightened, refusing to expand fully as my thoughts repeatedly returned to Dotty.

Her leaving felt all too familiar, except this time, she was the one leaving.

The unease gnawed at me, and I couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. The silence was broken by Dorian’s ringing phone.

His brows furrowed in confusion, answering the call. “Hey, Noah. What’s up?”

He suddenly stood up, listening intently, then pressed the speaker button so all of us could hear.

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