The Lines Between Us | ✔

|.18.|

September 18th, 7:19 pm,

Bella

I wake up alone. There is no sign of Ash. I scan my room, looking for a clock. I know I had one at Mom's, so I must have brought it here. My eyes dart onto it. 7:19. I have only been asleep for about two hours. It feels like the next day. Or maybe it is the next day. I couldn't have slept for that long, could I? I groan when I step out of bed, setting myself a mental reminder to never sleep in the day again. I rub the sleep from my eyes, which soon move down to the floor. A piece of paper sits neatly on the ground, folded in half. It looks as though it was shoved under the door. Wouldn't Ash just leave it next to me if he had a message?

Picking it up, I flip it over, searching both sides. One large B is printed in a rough sketch on the outside, but nothing else. 'Sorry, I couldn't message you. You didn't have your phone. Meeting with cops at 8.' Underneath is a scribbled address, and a poor attempt at a map drawing. I laugh under my breath at Ash's drawing skills before returning to my bed. Something about it seems wrong. Hadn't Ash told me the meeting was tomorrow at 4? Maybe he just got the timings wrong. Ash never mentioned any cops, too. He probably just forgot. I keep making excuses, but really, this is all out of control. 

Wait, I only have half an hour to get there. Rushing toward my closet, I throw on the pink dress Ash supposedly bought me, and run out of the door, putting on a pair of white trainers and a jacket in the process. It takes me until I get to the door to realize I don't have a car. I will have to walk. Why would Ash not drive me? He knows I don't have a car. So many things don't add up, but then again, nothing in my life is adding up at the moment.

I don't have a watch, phone, or means of transport, so I have no idea if I am on time when I reach the destination. It feels like hours, but I can't decipher it. There is no building where the map showed, just a dark alleyway. I wonder if I have taken a wrong turn, but the map was detailed enough for me to not. It feels daunting, but I take a halt, hoping Ash will turn up and redirect me to where we are supposed to be.

''You're late.''

A voice. In the shadows. I turn around, my hair whipping the cold air. That didn't sound like Ash. ''Hello?'' I question, boldly, hoping it is Peter.

''Hello,'' The voice replies, stepping closer with every word. I can hear feet. On entering the light, I see Liam's face glaring in front of mine. If what Ash told me is true, I could potentially have a psychopath in front of me. Taking a step back, I head away from him, ready to sprint away in seconds. Though, something entices me to stay. After all, Ash could have been lying. ''Ready for your next dosage, darling?''

Dosage? I respond with a puzzled look, my emotions still as heightened. 

''It has been very hard, giving you doses every 24 hours. But. . . hopefully, if it all goes well, this will be your last.'' He strokes a hair from his face. ''Your last one was this time yesterday, except you are late to our agreed time,'' He tuts, checking his watch. I open my mouth to reply, but I am cut off by his hand latching onto my arms. A needle is pressed into my neck whilst I struggle. Someone is behind me. As they slide the metal out, a collision meets my head. Black.