Ask Jake (Book One of the Whisper Series)

Twenty: Someone Save Me

Lying with my chest down on my bed, I see something moving around me. I try to move, but only manage to moan.

Darwin's sitting on my upper back, purring and licking my ear.

He must be hungry, I think. I need to wake up and feed him.

My arms and legs are too heavy to move. I moan again, and I try to lift myself up. A dip in the bed shifts my body a little. Something presses into my face. Everything goes black.

******

Searing pain in my head takes me out of my slumber. My heavy eyes open slowly, everything is blurry. It's dark. I hear a voice but I cannot open my eyes all the way. Someone's cold hand rubs my back. The scent of fried food enters my senses.

Phil, I think and I try to jump up.

I can't.

"Now, now, Gilli. Just relax. Everything is going to be okay. I need you to drink something, okay Gilli?" Phil lifts me up and rolls me over, into him. I want to run, fight, but I can't find the strength. My mouth is really dry, my body, eyes and head are heavy. "Its nice and cold. It's water. Drink." He places the glass to my dry and thirsty mouth. The only thing I can think about it how I need to drink; I comply and do as he asks.

"Good girl, Gilli. You are being a good girl. Soon we can leave this place and I will take you home. I know its what you've wanted. You were already packing for me because you knew I would come for you." I think he is petting my numb face.

My mind is a fog bank, but the memory of finding him in my closet is clear.

My eyes are too heavy. Why can't I stay awake?

*******

The familiar sound and movement of the train awakens me. Phil's arm is around me holding me close. His cheap cologne and fried food scent violates my sense of smell. When I push away, he holds me closer.

The train is completely empty, so it must be really late. My luggage is next to him, swaying to the movement of the fast moving train.

"Phil? What are you doing?" I ask.

"Gilli, you know what we're doing, baby. I'm taking you home," he says. I try really hard to wake myself up. I try to scream, but nothing comes out.

Can someone help me? Help me, please.

My head hurts beyond comprehension. The light is too bright and the water is too hot.

Water? I'm in the bathtub, but it's not my bathtub. I feel a sponge washing me. I see Phil, but he's blurry.

"Too hot," I say, as loud as I can, but I don't recognize my own voice.

"Shhh, baby, you're okay." Phil's voice is syrupy sweet and I feel the sponge drip scolding hot water on my back.

It's too hot, you asshole. Stop touching me.

I can't stay awake.

*****

How did I get on this bed? Where am I? I see a small row of windows above me. I can barely open my eyes, but the light in the sky outside the window, says its daylight. Every time I blink, I think I sleep again. Why can't I move my arms?

My body is lifted up and I feel something prop my back up. Like a rag doll, I slide to the side and am yanked up by my arm.

His voice comes at me again, but this time its not so nice. "Who the fuck is Kellan? Are you fucking him Gillian? He won't stop calling your phone. Don't worry, I told him to fuck off."