Page 17 of Wicked Rogue

My heart throbbed a few final times, and then there was nothing. It was like the whole world ground to a halt… I couldn’t feel anything. I expected to feel pain, but I felt nothing. My body was numb.

“What happened?” I vaguely heard Bree ask, but she sounded too far away. I didn’t hear the reply.

My parents were gone?

Dead.

Never coming back.

“Mr. O’Callaghan is sending a car to collect you… but I’m afraid there is more.”

“More?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry, Brianna. Aidan. It seems your mother and sister are currently missing.”

Brianna let out a sound that didn’t sound human. That should have snapped me out of it, but I felt nothing.

Molly and Quinn were missing.

My parents were dead.

Something must have happened.

I should feel something

Nothing.

I felt nothing.

“Cait?” Someone was calling my name in a watery voice. Was my head under water? No. I was at school. I was shaking… no. Someone was shaking me. “Cait, come on.”

I couldn’t move, even if I wanted to. I was completely numb.

Suddenly, the ground dropped away, and I was moving. I didn’t know how, but I could feel the warmth that was wrapped around me.

Strange.

Moments later, cool air rushed over my face, and I realized I must be outside. I had no idea how I’d gotten there.

“Cait, are you alright?” A gravelly voice murmured very close to my ear. I liked the voice. I wanted to respond, but my mouth wouldn’t move.

Then I was still again, and I could smell leather and pine.

Pine?

A movement caught my eye, and I noticed the little green tree swinging in my peripheral vision.

Huh?

“Cait?” Something shook me again, and this time, I was able to move my head towards the rough voice. I blinked at him.

Hmm. Lovely green eyes.

It suddenly occurred to me that I was in a car.

“Where are we going?” I asked, finding my voice.

“Back to my house.”

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