Twisted Devotion

Twenty Two

The figure stepped into the faint light, and Jess squinted, her vision still blurred from exhaustion and pain. For a moment, she couldn't make out who it was, her mind playing tricks on her. Panic gripped her chest—was it Dominic?

But then, the figure knelt beside her, and a familiar voice, soft and filled with concern, broke through the fog.

"Jess... Jess, it's okay. I'm here."

It was her father.

Dr. John Martin was a man of calm authority, his presence always a source of comfort in Jess's life, but she had never seen him like this—his face etched with worry, his hands trembling as they gently cupped her bruised face. His deep brown eyes, usually so steady, were wide with fear as he scanned her injuries.

"Jess, stay with me, sweetheart. You're going to be okay," he said, his voice cracking slightly as he carefully checked her pulse. "Just breathe for me."

Jess blinked, the relief overwhelming her. "Dad...?"

"Yes, it's me." He gave her a tight smile, though his eyes were still filled with alarm. "I've got you."

How had he found her? For a second, Jess couldn't wrap her head around it, the pain making it difficult to think clearly. She hadn't expected anyone to come. But her father was a doctor, and if there was one thing she could count on, it was that he would never stop searching for her if something went wrong.

He quickly examined her injuries with gentle hands, though Jess winced as he touched her bruised ribs. "We need to get you to the hospital," he said, his voice steadying now that he had switched to his medical instincts. "You're hurt, Jess. You might have a concussion, and these ribs... we need to be careful."

Jess tried to speak, but the words came out in a rush of desperation. "Ava... Dad, Ava's with Dominic. He's... he's dangerous. We have to—"

"Shh," her father soothed, though his expression darkened at the mention of Dominic. "We'll find her. Right now, I need to focus on you. Can you walk?"

Jess nodded weakly, though she knew it would be a struggle. Every movement sent waves of pain through her body, but with her father's help, she managed to pull herself to her feet, leaning heavily on him for support.

Dr. Martin wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her upright. "We'll get to the road, and I'll call for help. Just lean on me. We'll get Ava, I promise."

Jess clung to his promise, feeling a fragile thread of hope weave through her fear. If anyone could help her now, it was her father.

As they staggered forward, Jess felt the strength of her father's presence like a shield around her, pushing back the terror that had nearly overwhelmed her in the darkness. For now, she wasn't alone. And together, they would find Ava before it was too late.

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• Dr John Martin enters the building people! He is one of my fave characters that I've created, I know you guys will love him too! •