Amber Alert [Published - Sample only]

Chapter 5- "You're going to be welcomed home."

"Don't say anything! I don't want him to hear us and then rush inside. So please be quiet and we will both survive today." He whispered to me urgently as he raced up the stairs.

Garrett was so terrified that he didn't care that I was able to see where his hiding place was. It was probably the one place he found solace in this house and now I had ruined it for him. I felt horrible for that, and even worse for the growing pain in my back and head from my fall. As Garrett carried me up the stairs, I realized that we must be far away from a road because I hadn't heard any other sounds until the tires hit the gravel right next to the house. That just emphasized the rows of trees that I had watched pass by on my trip here. We were in the middle of nowhere, away from main roads, people and towns.

I could hear the car shut off, then Steve's footsteps on the gravel outside of the house as we breached a small opening that opened into the kitchen. How did this get here? Why is there a bunker underneath the kitchen counter? Garrett set me in a chair as he sealed the entrance, making it invisible at a glance, to anyone who didn't know it was there. That explains why I didn't see it before.

Garrett turned on his heel and pulled me out of my seat as Steve's footsteps got closer. I could sense Garrett's fear as Steve started turning the doorknob of the front door. We were going to get caught and we’d both be dead. Garrett slowed his pace as he got to the stairs, knowing they creaked under any pressure. I heard him take a deep breath to relax himself and then he looked pleadingly into my eyes, begging me to stay quiet as he started to walk up the stairs. The stairs seemed to extend forever as we slowly walked up them, trying to get out of sight before Steve got in.

We were half way up the stairs when there was a sudden pounding on the door, like someone was trying to force their way in. Garrett saw my expression change; I was hoping someone had found me, but he killed those hopes quickly.

"Move faster Garrett!" I whispered as I pushed myself into him, I needed the comfort he gave me as the pounding on the front door got more forceful. God, I hope there are people looking for me.

"I'm trying!" He whispered urgently so that his voice wouldn't alert Steve. There was another loud thud on the door as Steve slammed his body into the door again.

"We can't be seen together! We have to split up," I said as we made it back to the main room upstairs. Garrett set me down carefully on the couch and gave me a look of sorrow before he spoke.

"Do you think I don't know that?" He asked with pain and annoyance dancing in his eyes. It looked as if I was tearing his heart out. Garrett lightly ran his fingers down my cheek as tears started to escape from my eyes. He placed his hands around my face, cupping my face perfectly in his rough hands.I could see the pain in his eyes, even at such a small action. It made me wonder if he could see the small spark of hope in my eyes that he gave me. Anna, why are you doing this to yourself? I couldn’t place it, but there was a familiar spark, and suddenly I felt as if I owed Andy an apology

"Hey, hey look at me." Garrett whispered as I threw myself into his chest and hugged him to me tightly. I could hear his heart rate pick up as he pushed me away gently and looked me in the eyes with pain and sorrow shadowing his fears. "I need you to be strong."

"I can't..." I sobbed loudly, unable to control myself through the tears.

"Shh, please be quiet." Garrett said letting the fear take over his face and actions as he slapped his hand over my mouth momentarily. "Please be quiet. Just tell me about you, that will calm you down. Let's start with your name, you know mine, but I don't know yours." He said in a panicked frenzy.

"It's Anna, you already knew that!" I choked out as another loud bang came to my ears. I felt my chest heave as another strong fear started to strangle my heart.