Where We Belong (Carolina Rebels 6)

The second longest week of my life passes with Dwight feeding me, watching TV with me, and increasing the amount of physical contact he has with me. It’s been a week and I’m still here. A week of Dwight making me watch Collin play hockey, seemingly unfazed. A week of hearing reporters discuss a photo of him at a therapist’s office. It was taken the day after I left.

Collin hasn’t commented on it yet, but the team released a statement that they are aware of all the health issues with all of their players. A simple way to say that whatever Collin is going to therapy for is known to the team.

The longer I’m here, the more faith I lose in hoping I’ll be found.

The longer I’m here, the more Dwight talks about making love.

And the more he talks about that, the more I think about death.

His or mine. Whichever could come first. Whichever prevents that line from being crossed. Dwight is patient and a sort of tease in this respect, but his patience is waning every day. I constantly look for something I could use to injure him or to aid in an escape, but Dwight is too careful. He learned from his previous mistakes and he’s not making them again.

“Why?” I croak, unable to take the unknown any longer. Why did he pick me? How?

Dwight turns his head toward me. “What?”

“Why did you come after me? How did you pick me?”

His slow, evil smile makes me regret asking. “Do you want to know how I came to meet you, angel?” He doesn’t give me a chance to speak. He utters an answer that has me horrified. Something that absolutely can’t be true. Something I refuse to believe. It just can not be possible. As soon as he says it, I block it from my mind and try to forget he ever said it.

Then, at the beginning of the second week, Dwight has it on the hockey channel and I perk up at hearing Collin’s name.

“We would like to take a moment to discuss a serious matter. It has come to our attention that Collin Kessy’s girlfriend has gone missing.” My eyes bulge at seeing a photo of Collin and me on the screen. “She’s been missing for eight days now. Kessy was keeping the matter private, even from his team we hear, but he’s decided to reach out to the public in case anyone has spotted Julie Lockwood. It is believed that she’s in extreme danger and—”

Dwight turns the TV off. “Who the fuck does he think he is? Doesn’t he know that he’s not your boyfriend? And you aren’t in any danger, Julie! Look at you! Haven’t I taken good care of you?” I quickly nod. “I have!” Dwight stands and paces. “What a fucking stupid thing for him to do. You’ll be all over the news now.” His rage turns into mumblings.

I send up both a thank you that he’s trying and curse him because Dwight turns, charges, and unleashes his rage on me.

Dwight hits my jaw. After about the fifth blow, there’s a banging on the front door. All I can do is slump over. Thank goodness for the intrusion because my vision is blotchy. I don’t know how much more I could take. I struggle to watch Dwight open the door just enough to poke his head out.

“What?” he snaps.

“Is everything okay? I thought I heard yelling.”

“I’m fine.” He slams the door and faces me.

I close my eyes, hoping he’ll think I’ve blacked out and leave me be.

Please Collin. Find me.

Darkness sweeps into a delirious dream that’s much better than my current reality.

“Jules.”

I sigh with relief, smile, and run to Collin. “You found me!”

“Of course I did,” he replies, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re hurt.”

“I’m okay,” I say. I don’t think I’m hurt. I feel fine. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Let’s get out of here.”

Collin takes my hand, but when he walks away, I’m yanked to a stop. I glance down and break into tears at seeing my restraints.

“Don’t worry, Julie. I just forgot to free you.” He waves his hand over my ankles, causing the chains to fall and clank to the floor. “Now we can go.”