The Lines Between Us | ✔

|.14.|

September 14th, 9:46 am,

Bella

''Finally, you're awake!''

The voice speaks before I even open my eyes. My heart is pounding through my chest, begging to be released from my body. Eyes sting when I catch a small ray of light flashing in my eyes. The sound only threatens to make my breathing increase, heart rate increasing rapidly. A dull pain arises in my temples, my body enveloped in the smell of stale beer. A crunching of glass echoes through the room from under my body and Liam's shoes. I have no concept of time. There is no source of light except for a sharp white flashlight that Liam is shining in my face.

''Wh- what?'' I question, my eyes scanning the room. I don't know where I am. He once again tied my hands together behind my back, legs strapped shut in front of me. The ropes are knotted so tightly, I can feel marks engraving into my flesh. I try not to struggle in hopes of relief. One minute my mind feels conscious, then the next I am slipping back into unconsciousness, my eyes threatening to close.

Don't fall asleep on me again. I can't be fucking bothered waiting for you to wake up. It's already been 8 hours. Honestly, I didn't expect you to be out for so long, but you are a little lightweight.'' A foot nudges me in the leg. I say nudge. He kicks me, hard. I can feel my back pressed up against a wall of some sort, sharp shards rolling beneath my legs. If I move an inch, I could be sliced deeply. I can't see the glass, but I can hear every movement in the room. I am guessing I am in a room, but the sound of Liam's voice echoing is confusing my perception. 

''WhereamI?'' My words slur, jumbling into one. I can barely keep my eyes open, never mind release words from my mouth. My head is dizzy, a lifeless tornado slowly making its way around every corner of my brain. My physical body feels fine, with no apparent scratches or bruises inflicted by Liam.

''Do you really expect me to tell you that? He laughs, shaking through the walls. He sounds crazy. Crazier than the last time we met. Flashing his phone light in my face, I catch a glimpse of him. He looks better than before, but worse at the same time. It's like his mental side is growing poorer. I cower away, squeezing my eyes closed to try and cower away. I attempt to shield my eyes with my hands, but that doesn't work obviously.

''Stop it.'' He kneels before me. I can see his face more clearly now. The bruise on his eye is darker, purple and blue tones coating it. Blood appears to be spattered across his skin. I am clueless as to where these came from. He has supposedly been hiding under the radar, nobody knows where he is except Mel. 

Speaking of Mel. ''Where is she?'' My voice breaks. Liam pans the torch to his face like he is about to tell a ghost story, then turns it to a supposed doorway. The light from the outdoors is slowly starting to filter, and I can see the unmistakable doorway.

''Mel baby, come here, darling.'' His tone still scares me, but it's much lighter than when he addresses me. Lighter than I have ever heard him speak. My brain floods with confusion when she steps into the room. A massive smile is plastered on her face. Her body appears to be the same as usual: a crop top, heels, and a ridiculously tight pair of shorts. I open my mouth to say how happy I am she is okay. But I pause. She looks almost. . . fine. Coming closer, she crouches next to Liam. Pulling out her phone, she also shines in it my face. A hand swipes a hair from my eyes. 

I shake away from her grasp. The betrayal is too much for me. ''You. . . You were in this the whole time?'' The only reason I am here is to make sure she is okay. A trade. Me for her. Every part of my hopes that I am imagining it.

''Oh, honey, you think I would ever betray my boy like that?'' She says sinisterly, kissing Liam on the cheek. I never knew. Looking back, though, they spent most of their time together. I just registered it as a close friendship. Nothing like this. I feel sick to my stomach.