Page 15 of Riding Through Life

When my dad sees me tied up and bleeding, he loses it. Their mistake is not tying him up the way they did me. He fights them with everything he has and everything he was trained to do. Even though my hands are secure behind my back and my feet are tied together, I still do what I can to help my dad. I trip, kick and knee anyone who gets in my path.

Suddenly my head is yanked back and my hair is on fire from the roots. I scream in pain as I feel something cold pressed to the side of my head. “Stop! Or I’ll kill this bitch.” The click of the safety on a gun vibrates in my ear and I stop fighting.

My dad stops as well with his hands up in the air. “You don’t want to do this.”

“Oh, I think I do. For some reason, my superior wants you back with them and I was told by all means necessary to make it happen. This is my necessity.” He pushes the gun harder against the side of my head and I whimper. “Now, get on the ground on your stomach with your hands above your head. If you move, I will shoot her in the face.” The man snarls.

Watching helplessly while my dad complies with this request sends a tear down my cheek. He’s tough and brave, but when it comes to his little girl, he will do anything he can to keep me safe. Once my dad’s hands are secure behind his back and his feet tied, they move us. It’s slow going since neither of us can walk normally. This freaking sucks big time.

“Kensi,” my dad whispers once we’re in the back of the SUV that was parked across the street.

“Dad?” I whisper back. My head is killing me but I keep my wits about me.

“I’m so sorry this happened, Lil’ Kay.” The pain in his voice is breaking my heart.

“It’s not your fault, Dad. We didn’t know they’d go to this extreme to get you to come back.” I yawn, my head pounding against my skull. “I’m so tired.”

“Lil’ Kay, stay awake. Don’t fall asleep on me.” Dad nudges me with his shoulder.

My eyes drift shut and I snap them back open. “I’m trying.”

“Try harder. If you have a concussion and fall asleep, you might not wake back up.” The pleading in my dad’s voice snaps me out of my exhaustion.

I yawn again. “My whole body hurts, Dad. If I sleep for a little while, I’ll be good to go.” I close my eyes and darkness takes hold of me.

Chapter

Twelve

KENSI

The fog is lifted from my brain and I dream about Aftermath finding me and telling me this was all a dream. Everything that happened wasn’t real. He didn’t cheat on me with that skank. That everything was a lie to break us apart and he loves me with everything he has.

“Kensi?” I feel Aftermath’s hands on my body, shaking me. Why is he shaking me?

“Kensi?” He shakes harder. “C’mon, Lil’ Kay, wake up.” Why does Aftermath sound like my Dad?

“No, Mark, I don’t want to leave.” I groan through the pain in my head. I blink my eyes open and immediately snap them shut when the bright light hits them. “Ouch.” I move my hands to rub the side of my head but they won’t move.

“What the fuck?”

“Hang on, Lil’ Kay. Keep your eyes closed for a second.” Something heavy is set over my face. “Try opening your eyes now.” My dad instructs.

I blink a few times and the light isn’t as harsh. I have a towel over my eyes. “Can’t you turn the lights off?”

“No, I can’t.” I try to sit up but the room spins around me. “Easy, Kensi.” My dad’s strong hands wrap around my shoulders, helping me sit up, keeping the blanket or whatever it is over my head.

“Why are my hands tied?” I question, wiggling my numb fingers.

“Because I couldn’t undo them with you unconscious. Do you remember how I taught you to get out of zip ties?” I nod my head even though it hurts. “I’m going to need you to do that now, Lil’ Kay. Once you get free, then we can get out of here.”

“Where is here?” I ask while painstakingly moving my arms from behind my back, under my butt to in front of me. “Can I take this thing off my head so I can see?”

“How does your head feel?”

“Like a million gnomes are playing basketball on a concrete slab and jackhammering at the same time.” I groan.

“Then, no. Leave the towel on until we get out of here.” I feel my dad’s arm rest on my shoulder. “Now, I need you to snap your zip ties for me.”

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