Page 40 of Free Fall (The Quantico Files 3)

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When Tracy woke up, she lay in bed for a few minutes, thinking. Last night she’d left the upper panel in her door open after drinking the tea because she didn’t like being in the dark. It must be daytime now since the ceiling light in her room was on.

She’d been dreaming that she was home. Her parents were sitting at the kitchen table when she came downstairs for breakfast.

“Made your favorite waffles,” her mother said.

Tracy had smiled. Pecan waffles. She could hardly wait. “Smells great.” Before sitting down, she grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured some coffee. Then her mother brought her a plate she’d kept warm in the oven.

“Your mother is a great cook,” her father said with a smile. “You won’t get this kind of food at college.”

“I know, Dad,” she’d said, smiling back. “I’ll come home a lot. You’ll get sick of me.”

“That will never happen,” he said with tears in his eyes. “Just come home, Tracy. Just come home. Please.”

His voice grew louder, and she realized he was frightened. But why? That was when she woke up and remembered where she was. She tried not to think about home. Matty, Cassie, and her parents. Would she ever see them again? Being with her family in a dream wasn’t even close to reality. She had to find a way out of here.

But right now, she was hungry. She forced herself to sit up even though she really wanted to go back to sleep. As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, she sniffed the air. A familiar aroma. She walked over to the tray near the bottom of her door and carried it to the table. When she lifted the metal cover, she found waffles and started to cry. She must have smelled them and then inserted them into her dream. Or maybe it was God reminding her He was with her. That her heavenly Father would provide for her no matter where she was.

She whispered a prayer, thanking God for His love and protection. “Help me trust you,” she said aloud. “To not be afraid. I believe you will deliver me, and that I’ll see my parents and children again.”

Her prayer gave her inner strength, and the lingering effects of the drugged tea seemed to dissipate, making her feel stronger. At that moment, in her heart, she knew she would find her way home.

“This is ridiculous,” Brent said as they ate breakfast. “We’re never going to find her this way. It’s been years.”

Andy stabbed his waffles with his fork. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Maybe she cut her hair. Or dyed it. There’s no way to know.” He glared at Andy. “So what next? This can’t go on forever.”

Andy put down his fork. “We’re safe as long as we don’t do something stupid.”

“But I don’t like Rider’s new plan. I don’t want to risk losing everything we have. I can’t be poor again.” He fought to dial down his frustration. He couldn’t get along without Andy, and he knew it. Theirs was a friendship forged out of need.

Andy hesitated a moment before saying, “Why don’t you go on a date with the newest girl? Tracy. Maybe she’s the one.”

“I guess so, but I have my doubts.” He paused and stared at Andy for a moment. “Hey, I realize how hard you work, and I truly appreciate everything you do. Just be careful about the drug Rider gives you for the tea. I’m trusting that it’s okay when I add it. We had some problems in the past.”

Andy frowned. “Rider told us not to talk about that.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see it happen again.”

“I agree, but you need to keep your concerns to yourself.”

“You’re right. I know you’ve worked hard to fix the problem. Thank you.”

Andy stared at him for a moment before going back to his waffles and bacon. “So when would you like to have this date?”

“Day after tomorrow? That will give us time to get everything ready.”

Andy nodded. “Okay. I’ll need to check with Rider, of course.”

Brent hesitated. “Please do everything you can to keep her safe.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Saturday evening Alex called Logan to see if he planned to go to church the next morning. She’d go alone if she had to, but she’d rather ride with Logan and Monty. They always ate out after the service, and she really enjoyed their time together. She almost felt as if she had a family. Maybe not the same kind most people had, but for her it was a real blessing.

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