Never Told You

Chapter Twenty

My jaw dropped, and my eyes were wide open. After all this time, River wanted me to marry him. The thought of being with River the rest of my life made me happy, but he was a tricky person who had played me twice. Whether it was his fault or not, it was still difficult to see what the future would hold. What trouble would he get in, and would it put my baby and I in danger? More danger than necessary, that is.

"River..." He cut me off before I could speak more.

"Look, I know I've hurt you twice in the worst possible way I could've. Maybe I would've been better off leaving, but I can't do that to someone I truly love. That is my child, and you are my girlfriend. You mean so much to me, I can't just walk away. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Lauren."

"Okay, yes. I'll marry you River!" I started crying and River put the beautiful ring on my finger. It was the perfect size. I sighed, and hugged River as tight as I could. After we were off the ride, we got in the car and went back to our room. We slept in the next morning, and packed everything up. I didn't know what River was thinking or feeling, but I was dreading going back to town. It took us all day to get back. Once we got to our front door, two cops were standing in front of it.

"River Anderson?"

"Yeah, that's me. What's going on?" One cop cleared his throat before continuing.

"River, you're under arrest for the assault of Hunter Miller." I was confused, this happened so long ago, and Hunter told me if I did what he asked, River wouldn't be in any trouble. Plus, River was protecting me. Didn't that count for something?

"I'm sorry, but you've got it wrong. River did no such thing. You need to recheck your records, or something." I stepped in between River and the cops.

"Ma'am, please step back." I refused. When I didn't listen, the second officer who had remained silent, pushed me to the ground and cuffed me.

"Jesus, you're hurting me! I'm pregnant! Get off of me!" The officer ignored my screams, and pulled me up by the cuffs around my wrists. One cuff cut my wrist, and blood squirted everywhere. I saw the first officer pistol whip River, and leave him on the ground. Working as a team, they both picked me up and started carrying me towards their car. I started thrashing and screaming, but it seemed like no one was around to hear me. River wasn't moving, and I had lost all hope of being rescued. They threw me in the trunk, then proceeded to put a rag over my mouth and nose. They cholorfoamed me, so I wouldn't bang around inside the trunk. My eyes felt heavy, and sleep was inevitable.

When I opened my eyes, the light burned them and I instantly shut them again. After slowly adjusting to keeping my eyes open, I looked around and had no idea where I was. My ankle was chained into the cement ground that was beneath the thin mattress I was on. I thought about panicking and screaming, but wouldn't that attract whoever kidnapped me? The real question was, why me? Why did they take me, and who were they? The door across the room opened, and Hunter walked in. I should've known it was him. Nothing was ever simple with Hunter.

"Well, I've been waiting for you to wake up. We have a lot to talk about." I scoffed.

"So you have to chain me up because you're too much of a pussy to talk to me face to face?" Hunter jumped at me and grabbed my face. I ripped his hand off my mouth and bit him. He then ordered his helpers to restrain me further.

"Bad as ever, I see. I should have figured you'd find a way to hurt me. No privileges for you. For treating me badly, you'll be punished." He then looked at the guys and nodded his head towards them. They closed in on me, hitting and kicking me. My only concern was my baby, and I couldn't even protect him. I started crying, not because the blows hit, but because there was no way my baby was surviving this. Hunter ordered them that it was enough.

"How long have I been here, Hunter?" For all I know, he could've kept drugging me.

"Um, maybe a week. I can't recall. However, I do promise that no one is looking for you. I left a little clue as to who took you, and I still haven't seen that precious toy of yours. I want to talk about that baby." I sat still, trying not to interrupt or say anything snobby. "That baby should be mine, but it's not. For that, it has to be exterminated. I won't let you bring a life into this world that isn't mine." My eyes widened.

"No! You can't do that! Don't touch my baby or I swear I'll kill you! It'll be the last thing I do!" Hunter started laughing at my outburst.

"Prep her, and take her to the room." I started to panic and thrash around. Four guys held me down, while the last one cut my clothes off with scissors. The same guy who removed my clothes, stabbed a needle into my arm, and injected me with something. I became drowsy, and tried to stay awake. They assisted me down hallways and into a white room. My vision was blurry, but I found the fight to stay awake quite easy. I was laid on a table and strapped down by leather restraints. I had no energy to fight. I then heard a voice echo through the room.

"Now, this won't take long and you won't feel much pain as long as you don't fight me." I screamed in my head, not able to open my mouth. I felt the cold blade start cutting open my stomach. Hunter was in the room watching the operation. Eventually all the poking and prodding at me stopped, and I heard my baby cry for the first time.

"So sorry to this little girl who will never experience a life." The crying suddenly stopped, and the door busted open. River came in and started tackling all the guys in the room. He had help, it wasn't just him. I noticed that my restraints were taken off. When one of Hunter's guys fell, a gun slid out from inside his jacket. Now was my time to make a move. I barely got off the table, and fell to the ground. I pulled myself to the gun and made sure it was loaded. I saw Hunter walk out of the room, and was able to use the wall to walk after him. Once he was in my site again, I pointed the gun at his head and spoke weakly.

"Hunter, I told you killing you would be the last thing I do." I then pulled the trigger and fell to the ground. I blacked out.

When I awoke, I was in an immense amount of pain. I saw River to the side of me. He called for a nurse when he saw I was awake. They had chatted for a while, and I zoned them out. I had remembered what happened, and my only thought was that of my daughter I never got to meet.

"Is my baby ok?" My voice was frail, and River grabbed my hand.

"Um, she wasn't found at the house. We believe she's still alive, and out there." After hearing those words I knew what I had to do. "Lauren, what's going on? Are you okay?"

"River, I'm sorry. I can't be with you. I can't marry you."

"Lauren, what's going on?" I sighed and winced from pain.

"I hereon vouch that all my energy, and the rest of my life, will be devoted to finding my daughter."

THE END