Learning to Swim

Chapter 26

Sorry this chapter is so late! I had to rewrite it like a million times :/

Chapter 26

It has only been about five minutes since the thought that something happened to Liam entered my head, but it has felt like an eternity. I have given up on calling him because it is clear by this point that he isn’t going to be picking up. I briefly contemplate calling his mother to see if she has heard from him at all, but then I realize that I don’t have her number.

By this point I am completely freaking out and I still have no clue what to do. I could call the cops I guess, but then if he really did just get distracted then I would feel like a complete idiot. I argue with myself about this a few more moments, but then the decision is made for me.

My phone chimes softly in my hand and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Liam’s name pop up on the screen. I’m seriously going to kill him for making me freak out like this. I snap open the phone, my hand shaking from relief and more than a little anger.

“Are you okay? What happened? Why didn’t you answer?” I demand in a rush and sink down onto the couch.

“Sorry, sweetheart, I was a little preoccupied,” a voice that is definitely not Liam’s says. My eyebrows scrunch up in confusion as I try to place the familiar voice.

“Who is this?” I ask and my voice shakes because I’m not all that sure that I want to know the answer.

“You don’t recognize my voice, babe? I’m kind of hurt,” the person answers. It takes me a moment, but suddenly I realize that I do know who it is. My body goes completely still and my breathing altogether stops. This can’t be happening.

“Dane?” I mumble in disbelief and his obnoxious laugh echoes through the phone.

“The one and only,” he says and I can practically see the smirk on his face. How is this even possible? He has Liam’s phone, but what about Liam? Oh God, what if he hurt him? I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Where’s Liam? If you hurt him, I swear I…,” I trail off, angry and terrified at the same time.

“Oh relax. Your little boyfriend is fine…sort of. As a matter of fact, he is here with me right now,” Dane announces and I bite my tongue so hard I taste blood. I want to scream and completely lose it, but I know that I can’t.

“Let me talk to him,” I demand harshly.

“I’m afraid he’s not exactly conscious at the moment,” Dane laughs.

“What did you do? Leave him alone! He has nothing to do with this!”

“He does actually. I wanted you, but he got in the way. All that I’m doing it getting him out of the way,” Dane states matter-of-factly.

“I will never ever want you! You disgust me! Hurting Liam isn’t going to change that,” I yell.

“Fine. How about a trade? Your precious little Liam gets to go mostly unharmed, but you have to come with me,” he says and I know that this is what he was planning the whole time. He knew that I would never let Liam get hurt because of me. I feel like I might pass out.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

“I thought it was obvious, Dakota. I want you and I’m going to have you. No matter what,” he tells me with a determination that scares me terribly.

“Dane, this is crazy. Just let Liam go and I won’t call the police, okay? Please!” I try negotiating even though I have a feeling it isn’t likely to work. I just don’t know what else to do.