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Chapter Twenty-One

CAMILA

C old and pain. That has become my new norm. After a while, it all just went numb. I welcome the blackouts now more than fear them like I did when this whole nightmare started.

I’m not sure how long I’ve been here. Wherever here is.

I’ve stopped reacting with fear to their appearances. They were enjoying that way too much for my liking. The screaming died out soon after. The tears, though, those I could not stop until dehydration took hold.

When I wasn’t the frightened little woman begging for them to stop, they seemed to lose interest. All but Cyrus. No, he found new ways to get what he wanted.

He set up a tablet and streamed the news in my face of the search parties looking for me. He whispered how they were never going to find me ‘cause I was nowhere near them. Then he’s forcing water down my throat.

No one wants to fuck a dry whore.

Shouting makes me open my good eye. It’s pitch black, and I can only see a sliver of light from under the closed door, but I can hear the raised voices clearly.

“We need to get rid of her. The longer she’s missing, the more suspicious the Justices will get.” That was Elijah.

“She’s got too much of our DNA on her. We need to dispose of her body carefully.” Cyrus’s words confirm what I’ve known for a while now.

I’m not making it out alive.

How can any human discuss the cold-blooded murder of another so callously? Like I’m just another piece of garbage to throw away. As if my life no longer matters. It’s beyond insane, and the final thought I have before the door flies open and my nightmare starts anew.

I think I’m bleeding again. I feel wet.

“Dump her here.”

I’m itchy but warm. That’s nice.

“Rest in peace, bitch.”

I hear birds. Is this heaven? Why do I still hurt here?

“CAMI!”

I blink my eye at the new voice.

“Red,” I croak before I pass out again.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

“Why isn’t she waking up?” That’s Red’s voice.

I try to search for him in the dark but I can’t find him.

RED!

I scream for him but he doesn’t answer.

“The doctors say it’s the trauma. Her body needs time to heal. You have to be patient,” Elizabeth murmurs as I hear crying in the background.

“It’s a miracle she’s alive,” Fredrick comments.

Who’s crying?

“Evelyn, sweety, maybe you should rest.” EVE!

I feel my hand move, and then strong fingers are warming my skin.

“Cami! Darlin’, can you hear me?” Red pleads, but my energy is depleted, and my body grows numb again.

“She moved. I swear her hand twitched.” It sounds like he’s trying to convince the room and himself.

“Give her time,” Elizabeth says again firmly.

If they’re here, then they found me. That means I’m safe. My heart leaps in my chest, and the beeping around me grows faster. An alarm rings and then I hear shouts.

“You need to all leave! Give us room.” I feel cold climb up my right arm, and then the darkness I thought was my new best friend takes me under, but I fight it because it’s making Red’s voice go away.

No, please. I love him.

“Hey, Sugar. It’s Kit. I kicked that big brother of mine out to go shower. He’s been sitting by your bed for days, and the smell was getting to the nurses.” I feel him move my hair off my face.

“I really wish you’d wake up soon. How am I supposed to use you to pick fights with Red?” he sighs as the creaking of a chair to my left groans under his weight.

“I read somewhere in college that coma patients sometimes hear and remember everything that happens around them. So I want to tell you a story.” I feel him pick up my left hand and twirl a cold piece of metal around my finger.

“It’s a love story. My parents’, actually. They met in New York when my father was in a motorcycle club. Can you believe big Rick used to ride a Harley like Clayton does?” He chuckles and places my hand down with a soft pat.

“Ma was going to college and finishing her degree when this Texas boy got lost in the big city. According to them, it was love at first sight. They’ve been together every day since.” He sighs, and it sounds so sad.

“Thing is, I know that’s all bullshit. It’s the romance they want us to believe, but I know how the biker clubs work. The strain it puts on relationships. I know they fought for every moment they’ve had together, just like Ma’s favorite song, Love is a Battlefield .” My hand flexes.

“Red is fighting for both of you right now, and he’s losing the battle, Sugar. He’s strong, but he’s not gonna survive you not waking up, so could you do me a favor and open your eyes soon?” He wipes my cheek.

“Cami?” I’m crying and I didn’t even know it.

My eyes blink open, and I see Kit’s face inches from mine.

“Oh, thank God. Hang on, Sugar, don’t try to talk.” He reaches over my body, and a red light blinks over the door in front of my bed.

“Yes?” a voice comes from an intercom.

“SHE’S AWAKE!” he calls out into the otherwise empty room.

“Kit, what’s going…Camila!” Red walks into the room, and I let out a sob.

“Darlin’, you’re awake!” I’m in his arms seconds later with my face buried in his neck.