Page 35 of Love Sick

There aren’t any handles, so I place my palms flat against the metal and shift it to the left.

Nothing.

“Lunnaaaaa…” Noah calls, sending chills down my spine.

His voice is the motivation I need to contort my body and use the top of my shoulder and hands and push with all my strength.

It still doesn’t budge.

I wipe my sweaty hands on my clothes and try again.

I use the anger, the sadness, every emotion I can tap into, and use it to fight for my freedom. And it works because inch by inch, I see it. First, a new moon faces me, which then slips to a crescent, and then to a quarter moon.

I need to catch my breath and the cool air gives my lungs the life I need to inhale deeply and finish what I started. I hear the chirping of crickets and the hoot of an owl. It’s like the animals are spurring me on, cheering in support that I’m almost there.

With a roar, I grip the edge of manhole and shove it with all my might until finally, it’s a full moon and I am free.

I boost myself up, not able to appreciate my freedom just yet because I’m not done.

I don’t cover the manhole, but grip the metal disc in my hand and the moment I hear frantic footsteps climb the rungs, I prepare myself. Noah’s face appears like a mole emerging from the dirt and when we lock eyes, I smile.

“Hello, darlin’.”

Before he has a chance to speak, I use the manhole covering as a baseball bat and strike him in the face with it.

He is stunned, his eyes wide, so I strike him again and again, until he tumbles back down the hole with a thud. I wish I could admire my handiwork, but I don’t have time.

I quickly place the cover back onto the manhole and jump onto it, hoping it’ll wedge it into places so Noah’s friends have a hard time reopening it.

Dutch was right—I am standing outside the steel fences of Parkfields.

Taking one last look at the place which is hell on earth, I vow to return and save the man I love.

But now…now, I run.

Bobby uses the yellow crayon to color in the sun in the coloring book Alanna gave him. He sits on the floor quietly, almost afraid to look up from the picture on the page.

Alanna left some time ago. No word on where she went. I can only hope she doesn’t return with another child.

I do know she’s up to something, however, because she wheeled Jonathan away, and I doubt it’s to his final resting place, because that ship has sailed.

This plan is smart on her part because she knows I would never hurt her with Bobby here. This means she doesn’t trust me. And it also means she fears me.

I wish I knew if Luna made it out of here safely. If she did, I would almost be happy to give up. But until I know she’s safe, I have to fight.

Seeing her was the most bittersweet feeling, because I knew I’d have to let her go. I also know that if and when we meet again, I will have to tell her I’m the reason she was back at Parkfields—all because I trusted Alanna when I should have trusted my heart.

I have no doubt, however, that Luna will remember it all soon, and when she does, I wouldn’t hold it against her if she left me here to rot.

Alanna made sure I’m an invalid by breaking my knee, there’s no need for her to tie me to this bed. But she’s done so to ensure I know she’s the one in control of my future. And I can honestly say I have no idea what’s coming.

“Bobby?” I say, realizing my only ally is a kid. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

At first, he doesn’t reply, but eventually, he shakes his head.

“What’s your mommy’s name?”

His small hand stills from coloring.

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