Page 46 of Free to Run
What had started as such a lovely day with so many possibilities ends with me in tears again over Keene Marshall.
* * *
Pullinginto my driveway in Collyer is almost a comfort, despite how I left yesterday. It’s close to midnight, and all I want is my bed. My body hurts, and I’m so emotionally drained from the events over the last several days. Sliding my legs from the car, I barely have the energy to move.
It takes me so long, the overhead light in my garage blinks out. It’s likely why I notice my phone lights up with a text.
Surprisingly, it’s from Caleb.
Caleb: I figure you don’t want to talk to anyone right now, but Keene’s been blowing up my phone for the last hour to keep an eye out for when you got back. I want to know if it’s okay to give him the high sign you’re here.
I’m alternately pissed Keene worried Caleb with our issues, and touched that Caleb even asked.
I debate on what to type back. Finally, I answer with,You didn’t need to wait up. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for letting him know.
His response comes immediately.Ali, I’ve been worried since yesterday. We all have been. The only thing that stopped the others from following you was me sitting on them.
Don’t worry about me, Caleb. Take care of Cassidy.
His response makes my heart hurt a little.Ali, you’re family. We’ll always worry.
Sure. Thanks.
I see the little blue dots moving and stopping as Caleb starts and stops typing. Finally, he sends his message.Just because Cassidy’s my wife and Keene’s my best friend, doesn’t mean I haven’t seen what they’ve both done to you.The blue dots blink again.I never thought I’d see the dazzle die out of you. Until yesterday. All of them were wrong on so many levels. And Keene didn’t inconvenience me. We were awake. Honest to God, I don’t think anyone on this property will sleep, wondering if you were coming home. And they all had every reason to worry. Everything is wrong right now.
I’m in shock. I start to text. I stop. I start again. I stop. What the hell am I supposed to say to my sister’s husband who just took my side? The blue dots on his side move again.
And now, I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m going to sleep. Good night, sister.
I respond.Good night, Caleb.
While his words are comforting, I’m so drained, all I want to do is sleep. Pulling my bags from the car, I close the garage door and enter my home. Not even pausing to drop my purse, I make my way through the moonlit rooms to my bedroom, where I strip and fall on the bed.
I’m out within minutes, but my sleep is filled with nightmares.
I’m bound, chains around my arms and neck, holding me naked to the auction block again. I stare unseeing into the hellacious unknown. How did my father get out of jail and find me? The familiar chains on my wrists are held by simple padlocks. My head bows in shame.
Suddenly, cool metal slithers over my skin to wrap around my body. Around my wrists, around my neck, crossing in front of my heart. My eyes follow them as they bind me. They’re different. They’re not as heavy, but I can tell they’re infinitely more dangerous. From the quick perusal of them without lifting my head, I know two things: I can’t find where these chains end, and they’re the gleaming green of Keene’s eyes. I frantically struggle against them as the old chains break away.
Leaving me bound to the new ones.
Captive.
I can’t escape.
I can’t run.
As I’m being led off the auction block, I can’t see him, but I can hear his voice clear as day saying to me, “Stop running, Alison. It doesn’t solve anything.”
I wake up with a start, feeling just as drained as when I’d gone to bed. Reaching for my phone, I find only a few hours have passed. Turning off my alarm, I say to hell with it.
I feel a sick day coming on.
20
Melody
Hmm, that didn’t last too long.
