The Shelby Baby

Chapter 18 - stranded

Jennifer's POV
The engine sputtered and choked as I tried to coax the car just a few more miles, but it was no use. With a final, defeated shudder, the car rolled to a stop. I banged my hands against the steering wheel, frustration and panic rising in my chest. I had no idea where I was, somewhere between Birmingham and London, and now I was stranded.
I got out of the car, the cool evening air doing little to calm my nerves. I glanced around, the road stretching out into the darkness with no signs of civilization in sight. I kicked the tire in frustration and leaned against the car, trying to think of what to do next.
As I stared into the distance, I saw a pair of headlights approaching. My heart pounded in my chest, and I stepped away from the car, ready to flag down the vehicle. But as the car drew nearer, my relief turned to apprehension. The car slowed down, and as it came to a stop, I recognized the driver.
"Leo?" I said, my voice a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Leo stepped out of the car. He looked a little more rough then I saw him last time, his strong build and intense eyes as familiar as ever. But there was something different in his expression, a hardness that hadn't been there before. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice trembling. "Just making sure you're alright," he replied, his voice calm but with an edge that set me on edge. "How do you know where I was?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice. "Did you follow me?" He was silent for a moment, his eyes boring into mine. "I've always kept an eye on you, Jennifer." A chill ran down my spine. "Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "You know why," he said, stepping closer. "You and Isiah... I couldn't let that happen." I took a step back, panic rising again. "What are you talking about, Leo? Why are you really here?" His expression darkened, and I saw the flash of anger in his eyes. "Because you're running away again, and I can't have that." I backed up against the car, my heart racing. "Leo, you're scaring me." Before I could react, he lunged at me, his fist connecting with my temple. I felt a sharp pain, then darkness as I crumpled to the ground. The last thing I heard was the sickening thud of my head hitting the car door, and then everything went black.
Leo's POV
Jennifer's scream echoed in my ears as she crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Guilt gnawed at me, but I had to make her understand. Ever since she got with Isiah, I'd felt this burning rage inside. It wasn't fair. She was supposed to be mine. I bent down and checked her pulse, relieved to find it steady. She'd have a nasty bruise, but she'd be alright. I picked her up, her limp body feeling much lighter than I remembered. As I carried her to my car, I couldn't help but think back to the days when we were together. Things were simpler then. But now Isiah is in the way.
I placed her gently in the back seat, making sure she was comfortable before closing the door. Blood from her head wound had smeared on my hands and shirt. I wiped it off with a rag and took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. As I drove, my mind raced. What would happen when she woke up? Would she understand why I did this? Probably not. But I had to try. She needed to see that I was doing this for us. I reached my house, a secluded cottage on the outskirts of town, and carried her inside. The place was modest but secure. I laid her on the old sofa in the living room, tying her wrists and ankles with soft ropes to ensure she couldn't escape but wouldn't be hurt.
Jennifer's POV
The dim light cast eerie shadows around the room, and the throbbing pain in my head made it hard to think clearly. I was tied to a chair, my wrists and ankles bound. Panic surged through me as I realized the full extent of my predicament. I struggled against the ropes, but they held firm. The door creaked open, and Leo walked in, his expression unreadable. Fear gripped me as he approached, and I fought to keep my voice steady. "Leo, please," I begged. "Let me go." He shook his head slowly, his eyes cold. "I can't do that, Jennifer. You need to understand why I'm doing this." "What do you want with me?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Why are you doing this?" Leo crouched down in front of me, his gaze piercing. "You don't understand," he said softly. "We are meant for eachother. You're mine." Tears filled my eyes. "Leo, I'm not yours. You have to let me go." He sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I can't let you go. Not until you understand. We were meant to be together." I flinched away. "Leo, please," I said again, my voice trembling. "Just let me go. I won't tell anyone. I promise." He stood up, his face hardening once more. "I can't do that. Not yet." As he left the room, despair washed over me. I was trapped, with no way out. And the person I had once trusted to protect me was now the one holding me captive. I had no choice but to try to escape. I felt my eyes flutter close and darkness greeted me again.
A few hours had passed. The room was cloaked in silence except for the soft ticking of a clock somewhere in the house. Every second that passed seemed to amplify the sense of dread growing within me. The ropes dug into my wrists and ankles, the pain a constant reminder of my dire situation. I had to think of a way out, and fast. I scanned the room, taking in every detail. There was a small window high on the wall, letting in a sliver of moonlight. The furniture was sparse: a worn sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a few scattered bookshelves. My eyes landed on the coffee table and the glass of water Leo had left there. Maybe if I could knock it over, I could use a shard of glass to cut the ropes. Carefully, I began to shift my weight, trying to inch the chair closer to the table without making too much noise. My heart pounded as the legs of the chair scraped against the wooden floor. I paused, listening for any sign that Leo had heard me, but the house remained silent. Just a little more, I told myself. With a final push, the edge of the table was within reach. I extended my foot and nudged the table, tipping the glass over. It shattered with a loud crash, the sound echoing through the house. My heart leapt into my throat as I waited, but there was no sign of Leo. Quickly, I manoeuvred my hand to grab a piece of glass, wincing as it cut into my palm. Ignoring the pain, I sawed at the ropes binding my wrists. Minutes felt like hours, but finally, the rope gave way. My hands free, I worked on the bindings around my ankles, glancing anxiously at the door. Just as I was about to free my feet, I heard footsteps. Leo was coming back. My heart raced as I tried to hide the piece of glass under my leg and positioned myself to look as though I was still securely bound. The door opened, and Leo stepped in, his eyes immediately darting to the broken glass. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice sharp. "I knocked it over by accident," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Please, Leo, I just want to go home." He frowned, suspicion clouding his eyes, but he didn't seem to notice that my hands were free. He approached me, and I tensed, ready to act if necessary.