Rescuing Madison (Book 1)

Prologue

Madison's POV

Run.​ I had to keep telling myself that if I stopped for even a second, he would catch me. & I couldn't let him do that. It would mean the end for me. & I definitely wasn't ready to die.

Run. B​lood kept running down my face & dripping in my left eye, blurring my vision. I wiped it away the best that I could. I had one arm clutched around my ribs. I'm sure one or more were cracked. I could feel unconsciousness creeping up on me, but I had to fight through it.

Run. I​ ran through alley after alley. I finally saw a street light, lighting up what looked to be an empty road & sidewalk. I pushed myself to run faster.

Run. I​ was only a few feet away. I blew out a sigh of relief. I ran out of the alley & stumbled. But, I didn't hit the ground. Two strong arms had caught me. No! I thrashed around in his arms, trying to get free. I couldn't let myself believe that I had come this far just to get caught again. I kicked & hit as hard as I could, before the words he was saying registered with my brain.

"Hey. Hey! Calm down! I'm not going to hurt you."

I stopped & looked up. Brown eyes were looking at me with concern. Brown eyes. Not green. My body fell limp as I realized I felt safe in this strangers arms. I think he was waiting for me to say something, but it seemed as if I'd lost the use of my vocal cords. But, my brain was screaming at me to say something.

"Are you okay?" he asked me.

Was I okay? I didn't feel okay, so I shook my head. He held me out at arms length, looking me up & down. I'm sure I looked like hell. I felt like it. I winced when his hand brushed across my ribs. I had completely forgotten about the pain I was in until just now. & Apparently I had found my voice again.

"I think I have a cracked rib.. or two." I said.

"With the way you're looking right now, I wouldn't be surprised. What happened?"

I just shook my head again. I didn't want to tell him. I couldn't relive it all over again.

"Let's get you to my car, & I'll take you to the hospital. Is that okay?" he asked.

I nodded. He led me over to his car, opened the door, & helped me sit down in the passenger's seat. My body felt like it was on fire. He got into the car & opened up the glove box. He pulled out some napkins & started to wipe at my forehead. I couldn't help but think of how soft his touch was. He was being so careful with me.

"What's your name?" I blurted out, before I could stop myself.

"Jackson. Yours?"

"Madison."

"Well, Madison, this may be inappropriate to say under these circumstances, but it's nice to meet you." He grinned at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. "It's nice to meet you too."

He smiled at me again. He was so gorgeous. Then I realized we were staring at each other. I shook my head to clear it.

"Ouch. I should not have done that."

He quickly grabbed another napkin. "Here, hold this napkin to your forehead. I'm taking you to the hospital now."

He started the car & the smooth rhythm of his driving had my eyelids closing.

"Madison."

I could barely open my eyes to look at him.

"Madison, stay awake."

I was trying. I really was. "I.. I can't." I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't feel my arms either. My whole body felt numb. I was so tired. I just wanted to sleep. I felt a nudge to my shoulder.

"Hey, please stay awake. We're almost to the hospital."

That was a relief. Maybe I could finally sleep. I felt the car stop. & Then I was being scooped up into Jackson's arms. His arms seemed to soothe the fire that was going on in my body. I could see bright lights then. I started to panic a bit. I hated hospitals. I forced my eyes open so I could look at Jackson.

"J-Jackson?" I stuttered.

"Yes, Madison?"

"Please don't leave me in there alone." I begged.

He stopped walking for a second, & looked down at me. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

I smiled at him. Or, I thought I did. He smiled back at me, then walked into the hospital.