Kidnapped by Of Mice & Men

Chapter 7: Extreme Agressor

Quick lil A/N before the chapter starts. I'll be doing different perspectives in this chapter and the ones to come as things get more heated. That is all :)

•••

*Sammie*

I sat by the window, trying to get even the tiniest glimpse at the outside world. It'd been days since I'd seen a tree or the sun. We were probably still within my home state, because it didn't feel like we'd driven too far.

I looked up as Aaron sat across from me, wearing his familiar smile while looking concerned at the same time. "How're you holding up, kid?"

"I'm okay." I said quietly. It was like I didn't even have a voice around these guys.

Aaron looked puzzled. "Why are you always so quiet, Sammie?"

I looked up at him through wisps of hair that fell in my face. "Because I'm scared, Aaron." I sighed. "Not just of Scott, but I'm scared of what'll happen if I open my mouth." Realizing that I'd probably said too much already, I shut up.

"Can't say I blame you." He stared at his hands in his lap. "But you know what? It's okay to be scared." I just gazed at him, unsure of what to say. "You'll be okay." He patted my knee and walked away.

The sun finally disappeared out of the sky, leaving the world in darkness. There was nothing I wouldn't give to see even a blade of grass or a flower. I walked back over to the couch, laying down on it. I closed my eyes, trying to finally find sleep.

•••

*Austin*

We were all in deep shit.

Scott somehow had gotten a gun. What did he intend to use it for? Who did he intend to use it on? On me? On Sammie? On himself?

I knew one thing for certain though. I sure as hell wasn't letting him be alone with Sammie again.

I sat with Tino on the roof of the bus.

"Man, what am I gonna do?" I ran a hand through my sweaty hair.

"Same thing we've been doing all along, Austin. Keep the kiddo safe until we can figure something out. Then we'll take her home."

I shook my head. "But, I don't want to take her home."

"Aus, she's not a pet. She's a-"

I cut Tino off. "No, not like that. Alan told me that her mom and stepdad hurt her. That gash through her eyebrow? Her stepdad hit her with a picture frame. The bruises on her arms? Stepdad."

Tino huffed. "Damn. Poor kid can't catch a break."

"That's not even the worst of it." I sighed. "Her mom tells her to sit in the bathtub to pray. Sammie does, but her mom holds her head underwater until she blacks out."

Tino shot up. "Shit! Are you serious? She could die!"

I held my head in my hands. "I know, I know. And Sammie's got no proof to back it up, so she's stuck there."

Tino turned away. "Poor kid."

I looked down at my watch. Deciding it was getting late, Tino and I headed back into the bus.

I entered the main area and saw Sammie dozing off on the couch. I scooped her up in my arms and laid her down in my bunk, climbing in shortly after. She buried her face in my chest and clutched at my shirt. She hung on like a little animal.

I stroked her hair and hummed in her ear until she finally fell asleep.

•••

*Sammie*