Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 89259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Luke busted through the door that had swung shut and I cried harder at the sight of him. His face was contorted with worry, disgust, failure, pity, but the one emotion that outshone the others was love. He ran towards me and even when he was right in front of me, I couldn’t stop screaming.
“Shh baby. I’m here. I’m here.” His voice was so soothing and calm it made me cry harder. He flipped open a pocket knife and rushed it towards my face causing me to scream and move out of his grasp. I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me, but the sight of the knife scared me. I wanted it nowhere near me.
Realization hit him and anger flooded his face before it was consumed with compassion. He held his hands up as if trying to coax a wounded animal.
“I’m just going to cut the tape off of you baby and let your hands free, ok?” I nodded my head still crying and whimpering. I looked up to see Regg coming through the door at full speed. When he saw me he immediately lowered his eyes and slowed. I watched as he removed his cut, and then a t-shirt and walked up to Luke with it.
“Help me Regg,” Luke said his voice desperate.
“Cut her hands down first,” Regg demanded.
Luke cut the ropes confining my hands and I fell into Regg’s waiting arms. I could feel the blood begin to circulate through my body. My hands had turned purple and were swollen. Luke threw the knife to the floor and carefully grabbed me from Regg’s arms. My head lulled back onto his arm and he readjusted trying to make me more comfortable. I had absolutely no strength left to move.
Regg retrieved the knife and came back over to us. “Alright Dallas, I’m gonna cut this tape from around your mouth first, and then we will get it out of your hair, but it’s tight so I need you to hold really still.” I tried to nod my head, but instead I nodded my one good eye.
Regg slipped the tip of the knife under the tape and with one quick movement pulled it from my mouth. I thought as soon as the tape was off I would want to suck in a deep breath, but I didn’t even have the strength to do that. Regg covered me the best he could with his shirt and Luke carried me across the yard and into the house. I didn’t pick my head up to look and see if the others were still here, but all was quiet when we entered the house, so I assumed they were not close by.
When we got to the kitchen, Luke sat me down on a barstool and asked for some scissors. I could hear him talking. I wanted to answer him, but my mind would not function enough for me to tell him anything. Regg began digging around in drawers while Luke looked at me with pain in his eyes.
“I’m gonna take care of you baby. I think you are in shock right now, but you will get through it ok?”
I continued to stare blankly at him. My tears had stopped and I was nothing but a blob of blood, guts, and bones. I had no feelings. I was completely numb. Regg must have located some scissors, because he and Luke were trying desperately to cut the tape away from my hair, salvaging as much as possible.
“I’m going to bathe her Regg. Will you see if she has some hot tea or something?” Luke asked. His voice was pleading as if he was trying to stay in control, but was slipping.
“Sure thing brother,” Regg answered and began digging through the cabinets in search of tea.
I knew what was going on. I could see the events happening before me, but I couldn’t react. It was as if I was frozen. Luke scooped me into his arms once again and took me to my room. He sat me on the bed and walked into the bathroom to begin running water. I knew he was only in the next room. I could see his shadow from my bed, but not having him touch me filled me with panic. If I couldn’t see him then he couldn’t see me. I needed him to be with me. He could leave if he chose later, but just until I knew I was safe.
My tears poured down my face and the harsh sobs shook my body. I tried to call out to him but it came out as a squeak. “Luke! Luke!” He walked back in to see me shuddering, sobbing, and crying. I wanted to stretch my arms out to him, but they were so sore they wouldn’t go past my waist.
“I’m here baby. I’m here. I won’t leave you I swear. Baby I am so sorry I wasn’t here, but I’m here now and no one is going to touch you. I promise I will kill anyone who comes within a hundred yards of you,” Luke said his own eyes shining with unshed tears. “Come on baby and let me get you cleaned up.”