𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐃 // 𝐇.𝐒.

66.

Chapter 66

June 18, 1986

I thought about telling my father, but what good would that do? I'm not prepared to hear how stupid I was. I'm not prepared to be slapped across the face for making a mistake, either.

I wish my mom was here. I need her, right now more than ever. I miss her hugs, I miss her laugh, and I miss the love she would give me. She would hold my hand and tell me it would be okay if I were to tell her what's happened.

When I decided to hop onto a Greyhound, I knew it meant I couldn't finish school. I was damaging my academic career, the thing I prioritized the most before I met him.

Though so much has changed since I met him and I won't ever be the same.

I don't know what's next for me. When I arrive in New York, I'm not exactly sure where I'll go first. The only thing I do know is that I hate LA and I'm not ever going back.

It's been a few days since I've last picked up her journal. Just as I'm about to read more, I hear my name being called. I close the journal, I stuff it underneath my hoodie on the bench and I stand up.

"Yes?"

"Do you want to try breaking out of a restraint?"

I've been training, gathering all the knowledge I can before I set myself up to be kidnapped. I want to be prepared for the worst and everyone has been willing to help me.

"Yes, please," I reply to Finny, who vowed to teach me the survival skills he knows.

I move my sore legs from the intense workouts Eileen had put me on. It's safe to say I haven't rested, not since I came up with the plan and pitched it.

Finny bobs his head, motioning for me to follow him to the center of the mat. He sits down and I sit in front of him.

"First, how are you doing?" he asks me, unzipping a bag he brought with him.

"I don't know how to answer that," I admit to him and I laugh softly. "How are you?"

He smiles softly. "Better now that Harry talks to me."

I smile back as I feel a sense of proudness over the way Harry was able to overcome his grudge against Finny. I wish I could hear more about it, but the truth is I haven't been able to spend as much time with Harry for him to tell me. It's been a busy few days.

"If you're going to go through with this kidnap plan, you have to be prepared," Finny then begins and he holds up a razor blade to show me. "This will be your best friend, Jo. You're going to have this in your shoe. Don't worry, it won't cut you because it's wrapped in tape."

I reach for it, taking the sealed blade between my fingers. "How am I going to—"

"I'm going to teach you."

I nod, appreciating how serious Finny is.

He restrains my wrist, wrapping them around in duck tape after I placed the razor in my shoe. He seals my wrist and ankles tightly so that he can teach me how to break free.

I dropped the razor twice and it became frustrating for me. Several times, he reminded me that I needed to quit rushing and focus on what I had to do. After the fourth try, I was able to break free, but after eleven difficult minutes.

He taught me how to break from a zip tie and rope next. My wrists turned bruised and red within an hour of our lesson.

"Can I try again?" I ask Finny when I'm not satisfied with the time it takes me to break free yet.