Page 32 of Safe
"Danielle! Danielle, stop! It's me, Cody, you're okay!"
His voice tore through my panic like a knife through butter. I froze mid-struggle, looking up at him with wild eyes, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
My heartbeat slowed, and the room started to take shape again, but the trembling in my body became uncontrollable. The fight drained from me all at once, and I collapsed against his chest, heaving massive sobs into his tank top.
"It's okay," he whispered as his eyes met mine, one arm holding me secure while his other hand brushed my sweat-dampened hair from my face. "You're okay. You're safe. I'm here."
All at once, I realized that what I saw wasn't just some nightmare; they were memories, and I jerked away from him with sudden clarity.
"I remember," I gasped, gripping his shoulders. "Oh my God, I remember everything, Cody. We need to call Alex. I have to tell him what I know."
I scrambled to get out of bed, frenzied and desperate.
"Where's the phone?"
Urgency superseded pain as I searched the room, determined to tell Alex before these crucial memories could slip away again. "I need to tell him now!"
“Whoa, whoa, calm down. Please, sit down, don’t hurt yourself.”
Cody raced to his bedroom and came back and handed me the phone. I struggled to dial Alex’s number through my panic. It was 4 AM. I didn’t care. A very tired, very asleep Alex answered the phone.
“Cody? What the hell? It’s 4 AM. What’s happened?”
“It’s not Cody, it’s me.” I didn’t realize how much I was still panicking until I spoke. My voice was broken, and, just like that, I regretted calling Alex, knowing he’d worry that something was wrong.
“Danielle?! What’s wrong? Where's Cody?”
“It’s okay, Alex, he’s here. We’re fine. Alex…I remember things from that night.”
I spent ten minutes telling him everything: about the 1.3 million dollar run, the man named Thomas, everything. By the end of the call, the anxiety was gone, and all I felt was relief. Hopefully, this helped Alex find him. It had to.
“Danielle, you don’t know how helpful this is. I’m going to the station right now. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I hung up the phone and handed it back to Cody.
“Are you going to be okay?” Cody asked.
“Yes.” He turned around and proceeded to walk out of my bedroom door. “Actually, Cody,” I paused.
“Yes?”
“I’m scared. Will you stay with me?” Part of me couldn’t believe I had asked him, but a bigger part of me was so terrified that I couldn’t imagine being alone.
"Of course," his voice was calm and endearing as he made his way around to the other side of the bed.
The mattress dipped slightly as he settled beside me. I turned my head to look at him in the dim light, appreciating how he maintained a careful distance, ever the gentleman. He lay there on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, his presence both protective and undemanding.
There was something profoundly comforting about sharing this space with someone who had promised to keep me safe, yet asked nothing in return. In that moment of security, I didn’t toss or turn. My body just...gave in, like it remembered how to feel safe again.
15. CODY
I lay there through the night, watching shadows move across the ceiling while listening to the rhythm of Danielle's breathing. My mind was restless, bouncing between concern for her safety and the information she'd shared with Alex. Hopefully, it would lead to something useful and finally bring Landon to justice.
But beneath these practical worries lurked a more selfish thought that I couldn't quite suppress: the undeniable connection I felt to Danielle. I felt guilty even acknowledging it, knowing how vulnerable she was, yet the feeling persisted, as real as the warmth radiating from her body next to mine.
Danielle stirred beside me, her arm sliding across my chest like it belonged there. The simple, unconscious gesture of trust undid me completely. Her touch was soft and warm against my skin and made my mind race even more.
Enough of this, Cody.
