Page 48 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
"Just do it," I snap, running a hand down my face. "I'm sorry. I'm desperate here." My voice cracks. Branson reaches out, places a firm hand on my shoulder, and squeezes it reassuringly. "We'll figure this out together," he says in a steady, calm voice. I take a deep breath and nod, grateful that he's here with me.
My head hurtsand my vision is blurry, but I can tell that I've been dumped underground. The air is stale, and the floor beneath me is hard and unforgiving. It’s so cold that I'm shivering. It could be the fear. I hope Maddox tracks me and finds the broken branches. Assuming he knows how, that is. Tears trickle out of the corners of my eyes as I think about the man who has my heart. He's going to go crazy trying to find me. I know that for sure. I sniffle into the sleeve of my sweater, wishing I had something warmer.
"Hello?"
I freeze at the sound of a tentative female voice. "Olivia?" I whisper.
"Yes."
Dizziness overwhelms me as I push myself upright and look around the small room. In a far corner, I see Olivia huddled into herself.
Focusing on her, I recognize the pink slacks and white blouse with pink flowers that she wears. She also looks older than a teenager, which is how I thought about her after listening to Maddox.
“He had another woman. Made us switch clothes. He let her go.” Olivia crises softly. “Why her and not me?”
I wince. “At least you’re still alive.”
She blinks and stares at me in shock. “She’s dead? How? He wasn’t gone long and when he returned, he brought you in here.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“He took me with them in a truck. He let her go alongside a road, and then drove off. He brought me back here. I suppose he could have gone back after her when I slept. But he was here when I woke up. He gave me breakfast and then left. He was only gone a short time before he returned with you.”
If that is true, then the timeline is totally off because Samantha was found yesterday.
My head aches as I rub my brows.
Olivia tilts her head. “How do you know who I am?"
“Searchers have been out in the forest trying to find you."
"I'm surprised my father bothered reporting me missing," she says sarcastically. "Then again, he won't want to lose his slave.”
I frown, wondering what she means. "Olivia, does your father abuse you?"
She softly cries and nods. "And the others."
"Your brothers?" I feel sick.
"Yes."
I drag myself across the ground because I don’t have the strength to stand. When I'm within arm's reach of the woman, I take her hand. "When we get out of this, I want you to tell the sheriff everything, okay? He is a good man. His brothers are too. They will protect you."
"We're not getting out of this alive," she whispers. "He's crazy."
“Do you know who he is?”
She shakes her head in response.
"How many rooms are down here? We're underground, right?"
"I think so. I'm not sure. I’m blindfolded when he takes me outside.” Olivia lifts her head and wipes her cheeks with the edge of her sleeve, leaving muddy streaks on her face. Considering the situation we're in, I figure that's not bad.
A loud noise comes from the other side of the door, and our eyes meet. "He's coming," she whispers, her hands starting to tremble. "Don't look at him."
Metal on metal hisses through the door. When I notice the door starting to open, I force my gaze to stay steady.
The man is as huge as I remember, wearing a hockey mask on top of a Spider-Man mask. My mouth goes dry as he steps into the room, scanning the area with his eyes. Olivia's grip tightens on my hand, and I can feel her fear radiating off her in waves. We both know our chances of escaping this madman are slim to none.
