Crazy = Genius

Chapter 1: Sophie - I Thought Texas Was Warm?

"Don't struggle, Sophie," someone commanded as she tried to twist her body away. "I'm getting you out of here."

A rescue?

She couldn't feel the bonds anymore, and a strong pair of arms was moving her somewhere.

Her overwhelming happiness only lasted a second. "Dex," she grunted, her voice thick and raw.

"I'll come back for him."

"No." She twisted to break free. They were both getting rescued.

"I have to get you out of here, Sophie."

"No." She kicked her legs and almost managed to slip out of his grasp.

His sigh rocked through his body. "You kids are so difficult."

Something tugged at her memory, but she didn't have time to process it. "Dex," she insisted, thrashing harder.

He made a sound that may have been a growl as he spun her around, jostling her more than he probably needed to as he ran. When they stopped, he shifted his weight and pulled a body over his other shoulder.

Her heart leaped when she felt Dex's warm breath against her cheek. He still seemed drugged, but he was alive—and they were being rescued. Everything would be okay.

"Hang on to me," their rescuer ordered. "If I have to carry two of you, you have to pull some of your own weight."

Her brain still felt foggy from the drugs and her body was weak, but there was no way she was going to risk having him put Dex down. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on with everything she had. He moved quickly and silently—occasionally stopping to catch his breath. Then they entered some sort of elevator, and her stomach lurched from the sudden jump in altitude.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

"It's not important." His voice sounded clipped, giving her nothing distinct she could recognize.

"Why are you helping me?"

"It's my job."

His job?

She'd been hoping it was someone who cared, but she wasn't in a position to complain.

"How long have we been gone?"

"It took us ten days to find you."

Ten days in that drugged delirium? Her whole body started to shake. The doors opened and a burst of fresh air on her skin helped calm her panic. After a few minutes of running she felt a strange sensation; like feathers running along her body as warmth wired through her.

The sensation was soon replaced by a harsh chill as the person carrying her grumbled something about concentration and leaping. After a few minutes of walking, he lowered her to the hard ground, laying Dex beside her. Rough fingers parted her lips.

"Swallow," he ordered, pouring something bitter and salty down her throat. She gagged, but he clamped her mouth shut. "Swallow, Sophie." She choked down the sludge. A minute later she heard Dex gag and knew he must be getting the same medicine.

"Okay," their rescuer grunted, placing something flimsy in her hands. "The medicine will take about an hour to work, and then you'll be back on your feet. That's the best I can do, though I do he at least picks up his phone. It will make things easier. Until then, you kids will have to take care of yourselves."

"What?" She couldn't even open her eyes—how was she supposed to take care of herself? "Don't go," she begged, fumbling to find him.

"I've been here too long as it is. If you don't make it back in a few days, I'll try to figure something else out, but I can't make any promises."