Page 92 of Captivated

Mr. Thomas moved toward the device. It was small, like a remote control, but there were wires connected to it. Wires that led to pads he stuck to Nate’s legs above the knees. Nate could feel his breath quickening again, the panic creeping into his veins.

“I—I don’t want this,” he croaked. “Please… I don’t?—”

“It’s too late for that, Nathaniel. You made your choice. You’ve chosen to live in sin. But you can be saved.”

Nate opened his mouth to argue, but the words wouldn’t come. The device clicked on?—

He screamed, the sound loud and harsh, sending birds flying from the trees. Zeeb’s arms were around him a heartbeat later.

“I got you,” Zeeb whispered, holding Nate against his chest. “They can’t hurt you no more. You’re outta there. You survived.” He tightened his arms. “An’ if you wanna scream again, you go right on an’ do it. Let it out. Let it go, Nate. It’s in the past. It’s got no place here.” His breath warmed Nate’s ear. “Leave all that in the dark. You’re in the light, Nate. Ain’t nothing that can touch you when you’re in the light.”

Nate clung to him, his heart pounding, his breathing shallow, recalling how his body had become a battlefield, fighting against itself, against the unrelenting pressure of what was happening. Little by little, the memory of the pain seeped from him, until he was still, cradled in Zeeb’s arms.

He was safe.

Protected.

Alive.

Zeeb released him, and Nate shivered. “I’m sorry.”

Zeeb’s eyes blazed. “You havenothingto be sorry about, you got that?” He handed Nate a bottle of water, and Nate drank greedily, thankful for the coolness sliding down his throat. When his heartbeat resumed its normal rhythm, he shuddered out a breath.

“That was a flashback. I’ve had them before. But that was….”

Zeeb nodded. “It took you to a place you didn’t want to remember.” His hand was rough as he brushed the hair back from Nate’s face. “But like I told you, I’m here, and I ain’t going nowhere.”

A few feet away under the trees, Sorrel whinnied.

Nate breathed more evenly. “Give me the apples, and I’ll go feed the horses.”

Anything to push the memory farther from his mind. Nate wanted to banish it forever, to regain the feelings of contentment and even joy that the flashback had obliterated.

“You still up for a swim?” Zeeb asked him.

“Maybe not a swim but a quick dip to cool off.” With each passing minute, the stark panic and numbing fear receded, until it was nothing but…

A memory.

Will I ever be free of those?

Zeeb’s hand was on his back, stroking him with a soothing, comforting motion, and Nate leaned into his touch.

“Don’t let this set you back,” Zeeb murmured. “You might not be able to see it sometimes, but you’re makin’ progress. It just isn’t in a straight line, that’s all. There’s no sudden cure for what ails you. It’s gonna be a combination of things, and it’s all gonna add up to you growing an’ moving on.”

Nate stared at him. “How do you know all this?”

Zeeb flushed. “I read it. I wanted to understand what made you tick, because I wanted to be whatever you needed. I don’t need to know everything. If I’m honest, I’m not sure Ishouldknow. They’re your secrets. But always remember, if you want to share, I’ll be here to listen. I mean, I think some of it would make my hair curl.” His eyes held a slight twinkle. “And I’d look like a clown if it did that. All I’d need would be the creepy face paint.”

Nate couldn’t help imagining Zeeb with a bright red bulbous clown nose, white paint on his face, and a huge false smile.

He snickered. “Creepy is the word.”

“Wanna go back to your painting? Or do you wanna try to drown me again?”

Nate laughed, and the bright sound expelled more of the darkness that had robbed him of his joy.

Maybe playing in the lake with Zeeb was exactly what he needed.