Chapter2
Garrison
Three Weeks Later
The ache in my side isn’t unfamiliar, but man, is it frustrating.I’m genuinely beginning to regret not taking Sawyer up on his offer to crash in my guest room so I wouldn’t be alone my first night home from the hospital, but after having absolutely no privacy for the last two weeks, I’m more than ready to be alone.
Freshly showered, I make my way down the hall, stepping carefully around the dark blood stain still saturating the carpet.It’s been partially cleaned, but I’ll likely have to have it cut out and re-carpeted to fully remove the evidence of my near-death experience two weeks ago.
My living room has been re-set at least, my Bible placed back on the coffee table.The mug Tessa had been drinking out of when she was abducted has been washed and put away, thanks to my friend, Anastasia Knox.So, there’s that.
I glance around, grateful to be home.My gaze lands on the door I left partially cracked in my desperate attempt to wash myself.Instead of closing it right away, though, I continue into the kitchen.
Pain management and water.Then I’ll close the door.
Man, what I wouldn’t give for some real pain meds.But with addiction in my bloodline, the last thing I want to do is tempt that monster.So in lieu of something stronger, I reach for a bottle of Advil sitting on my counter and open it up, dropping two into my hand.The tiny blue gel caps will hopefully take the edge off enough that I can sleep.Then tomorrow, I’ll get started on getting back to my normal life.
First up, checking in on the community center.I’ve been assured things are running smoothly in my absence, and I’m sure they are, but seeing it for myself will put my mind at ease.
With the community center on my mind, I reach up to pull a glass down.I move too quickly, though, and pain shoots through my side.A hiss escapes through clenched teeth as the glass falls and shatters against the tile floor of my kitchen.
Shards fly in all directions, leaving me standing—barefoot—in the center of what might as well be a minefield.
Fantastic.
“You have got to be kidding me.”With a frustrated sigh, I band one arm around my injury, then carefully cross toward the living room to grab my phone.There is absolutely no way I am going to be able to get on the ground to clean that up easily.Which means, as much as I don’t want to admit it, I need help.
Besides, if I can’t even get a glass down from the cabinet, then I’d say I’m probably in some serious trouble here, and dealing with Sawyer’s sarcastic comments is likely going to be worth the extra help.
I’ve nearly reached my phone when the front door swings open.
Did he somehow read my mind and show up?
As dark as it is, I can hardly see, and before I can reach for the light, my hand closes on a soft shoulder.
A woman screams, and spray hits my face.
I snap my eyes shut as they ignite, and I let out my own painful cry.Tears stream down my cheeks, and breathing becomes an impossibility as all oxygen vanishes from my vicinity.
“What is?—”
My back hits the wall hard enough to knock what little air is in my lungs out, and I fall to the ground, coughing as I frantically try to breathe.Fire spreads through my lungs, and I struggle to draw in even a single clear breath.
Head swimming, I can’t see.
Can’t feel.
I’m helpless against the assault on my senses.
“Oh no!I’m so sorry!”a woman cries out, her voice panicked.“Come on.We need to get you to fresh air!”She pulls at my hand, and I struggle to my feet.An arm comes around my waist, and she guides me out into the hall, but my balance falters.
The coughing turns to choked gasps, and panic sets in as I realize just how much trouble I’m in if this collapses my lung again.My heart hammers so hard against my ribs I’m sure it’ll shatter them.
“Thomas, open up!”the woman calls out as she beats on what I imagine is a door.
I can’t see a single thing.
Nothing but darkness.