Page 38 of Captivated
Please wake up.
Then all of a sudden, he reached the precipice and the nightmare shattered, falling sharply onto the rocks below.
Nate bolted upright, gasping. The air in his bedroom was warm and real. The clock on the nightstand blinked 3:14 a.m. Moonlight spilled through the small window above his bed.
He pressed a shaking hand to his chest.Still alive. Still here.
Nate wiped the sweat from his brow with the edge of the sheet. His T-shirt was soaked through, clinging to his skin. His mouth tasted like copper.
For a long minute, he just sat there, letting the world around him settle back into focus. The rustic walls of the cabin. The sound of the creek beyond the window.
It’s over. It’s over.
But even as he whispered it, he knew the truth: it would never really be over. Eleven years ago, he had escaped that place with nothing but the clothes on his back and scars no one could see. But it still lived inside him, in his dreams, his memories, the parts of him he couldn’t scrub clean no matter how hard he tried.
He pulled his knees to his chest, resting his forehead against them.
Breathe.
Another.
Then another.
Nate closed his eyes and focused on the soothing ripple of the creek, wishing for something he couldn’t name, wishing for a world where none of this had ever happened.
Morning was only a few hours way. He could try to grab a couple more hours, but there was always the possibility that the moment he slipped back into sleep, the nightmare would be waiting for him.
What came to mind was Zeeb. His calm nature. His humor. His relaxed attitude.
He’s happy with his life, and yet he went through some stuff to get to this point.
Nate had been through a mountain of shit. He deserved every ounce of happiness that came his way.
The thought of claiming that happiness gave him the courage to face another day.
Chapter Twelve
July 15, 2024
The sun was barely up,casting long amber shadows across the pasture. Zeeb had been awake for hours, and he couldn’t account for it. Usually he slept like a baby the whole night through. In the end, he’d given up trying to grab more shuteye, but by the time he’d decided to drag his ass out of his bunk, everyone around him was stirring, which meant he had to do the same.
He was already getting enough ribbing about his schedule.
Matt could be heard through the door that led to the kitchen, humming to himself as he prepared breakfast. From the bathroom came yelps.
Yeah, that water’s pretty damn cold first thing.
Zeeb grabbed his hat, pulled on his boots, and went outside. He strolled into the stable, not surprised to find Paul there, grooming Sorrel and Lucy.
He grinned. “You sleep in here, don’tcha? You pretend to sleep in the bunkhouse with the rest of us, but the minute we’re snorin’, you creep in here.”
Paul laughed. “The conversation’s better. I can speak my mind and the horses don’t argue.” He tilted his head to one side. “Do you think Nate will want to ride today?”
“I won’t know that until I see him.” And speaking of Nate, it was time to sort out his breakfast.
“So what’s his story?”
Zeeb shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. He don’t talk much.” He couldn’t deny he was intrigued, however.
