"Call the police!This man attacked me!"
The low budget Captain Hook is cussing to himself, and it sounds like he's crying.Keep crying you piece of shit.I'm no Tiger Lily.I'm Peter Fucking Pan!I hear the woman on the phone with a dispatcher describing what she sees.She doesn't seem sure about exactly who the attacker is in this scenario.
"Let me go you fucking bitch!"
"You attacked me, Buffalo Bill!Welcome to the consequences of your actions, asshole!"
He tries to kick, but I won't budge so he repositions, and I anticipate the punch before it can connect.He swings forward and I jerk my head backward as he hits the concrete where my face had just been.He squeals in agony, and I loosen my grip when I hear the sound of sirens closing in.I scramble to my feet and, leaving nothing to chance, I deliver a hook kick to the would-be abductors' temple.His body falls limply to the ground, and I inhale a deep sigh of relief.
The police encourage me to call a friend to pick me up but there is just no way I'm putting all this on Eli and Vaughn right now.This would ruin their night, and they wouldn't want to let me out of their sight ever again.I suppose I'll have to tell them at some point though.
Once the police have looked at the available evidence, it seems to line up with my story, so they take the generic Bundy into custody.They hope to get surveillance video from some of the nearby businesses to make the case more solid, but for now, I get to go home.
They let me know there may be a trial and, if that happens, I know there'll be no keeping it from Vaughn, Eli, or Adam.Adam.He is going to lose his mind over this.I wish there was a way to keep this to myself but if I end up having to testify in court and I wait until that moment to tell him, his reaction will be so much worse.I'll tell them.I'll tell all of them.I just won't do it tonight.
Using the key Adam left me, I let myself into Eden House.I'd feel much safer at home with Eli, but I don't want to have to explain why I changed my mind or why my skirt is ripped, and I look like I went nine rounds with a rabid honey badger.I take a quick shower and climb into bed.I worry that the events from the night will make it impossible to sleep but the last thing I remember is laying my head on the pillow before being blanketed with a perfect and quiet peace.
CHAPTER 28
Eve
Iwake with a startle.Someone's coming.They're above me.It's dark and I can hear footsteps and low murmurs.How many this time?I still and listen.Two.Two sets of footsteps.One is dragging and the other is heavier.That's him.He's bringing someone smaller.I slink back into the recess of the wall and wait.I can see everything from here.Keys jingle.They're at the door at the top of the stairs.It opens and light pours through as they descend the wooden steps.
Two feet.Four feet.The first set is small.Maybe my size.Those legs.It's a girl.He brought a girl.She's close to my age, but she's bigger than me.Maybe she's older.Maybe I'm small.I don't know.He begins speaking to her.That voice.My-
Jerking awake, I nearly fall out of the bed.My alarm is blaring.I reach over to silence it and check my phone.Why did I set an alarm?Oh shit.Six missed calls and 37 unread text messages, all from V and Eli.
"Shiiiiiit."
I forgot to text them when I got home.Clicking on our group text, I quickly type out,
Me: It's me.The asshole from last night who forgot to text when she got home.I am, in fact, alive for the time being.Either of you plan to change that today?
Vaughn: Oh, girl.You owe me a bucket of banana Laffy Taffy because not only did I save your ass last night, but I saved the front door of Eden House.Eli was gunning for bear when you didn't text and then wouldn't return our calls or texts.
Me: I want to start by saying thank you and follow that up with how the hell did you do it?
