Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“You’re going to be scared. You’re going to think of all the things that will go wrong, but you have to stay focused. You’re the only one who can do this Dallas. When you feel like giving up, dig deep and find the will to survive. Think of the sacrifices you’ve made. Let the priceless memories of the past few weeks flood your mind and fuel your drive. When they leave you alone, get to the phone. You will likely be restrained, but they will want to talk to you so I’m guessing you‘ll be in an upright position. The room is only ten feet wide. You should be able to get to the other side. If you can’t get there, be patient and stay still. You have until midnight and then you’re outta there. You can do this, baby. I wouldn’t put you in danger if I thought you couldn’t handle it. But, Lord knows it kills me. If I could trade places and do it myself I would. Now, put your game face on, and remember how much you have to fight for.”
I made it to the phone, letting Luke’s words overpower the pain in my chest, as I pulled against the restraints and the dryness in my throat, which craved a drink of water. The time on the phone read 11:52. I had eight minutes. I pushed my tongue between my lips, stiffening it as I hit the speakerphone button. I sighed in relief as the loud dial tone filled the room. I punched in the number I had memorized, with my tongue moving slowly, so as not to mess up. It rang once before I heard Luke’s voice.
“Dallas?” he asked, hopefully. I felt tears spring to my eyes as he spoke to me.
“Yes,” I said, with a croak, my voice coming out rough and dry.
“You okay?” me being hurt had not been part of the plan. Luke had been sure that Charlie would not let any harm come to me, as had I. I guess we had both been outsmarted. I didn’t want Luke to know what had happened, not right now. He needed to believe all was well. I knew if he found out he would call the whole thing off, and our one shot would be ruined.
“I’m fine,” I said, straining my voice so that I sounded more like myself. “I dozed off. My mouth is just dry.” What I would have given for one of Punkin’s peppermints.
“You’re sure?” He asked, his voice sounding worried.
“I’m sure. We don’t have much time,” I said, turning my head to look at the door as I spoke.
“Just a few more hours, baby. Do you remember what to do next?” His voice was hesitant and I envisioned him pacing, running his hands through his hair, and wishing we’d never done this.
“Yes, I remember. I’m gonna hang up now. I’ll see you soon.” My words sounded promising, but I wasn’t sure how much truth they actually held.
“Yes you will. I love you, baby,” Luke said, his words just as promising and determined as mine.
“I love you too.” I stuck my tongue out and hit the speaker button, ending the call because I knew he didn’t have the strength to. As I scooted back across the room, my heart hurt for Luke. I couldn’t imagine the willpower it had taken for him to let me do this. He was my protector, the one who had saved me time and time again, yet he was the one who had coached me on how to save myself. I made it back to the center of the room between the two beds, my chest burning from the pain my lungs had endured earlier today. It took a while, but eventually, I calmed down. I was alert, aware, and ready when the door was opened almost an hour later, and the three goons, dressed head-to-toe in black, entered.
“How you feeling, Dallas?” The man asked, turning on the lamp beside the T.V.. I ignored him, my eyes following his every move, as he walked across the floor to take a seat on the bed beside me. I wished he would remove his mask so I could see his face. I tried hard to remember his voice, but it didn’t sound familiar to me. “Ready for round two?” he laughed at the look of panic on my face. I shook my head, unable to stop the movement as terror filled me. Just the thought of being subjected to his waterboarding torture had my heart racing and tears pricking the backs of my eyes. “I’m only kidding. That was fun, but I have something different in mind.” I watched as his head moved up and down my body, taking me in with lust-filled eyes. He didn’t seem to care how I smelled or what I looked like. I closed my eyes, letting Luke’s words fill my mind once again.