The Secret - Camren

Part 24

I could have sworn a year had gone by since they had left to find Lauren. I asked Dinah every two minutes how long it had been. I was so relieved to finally have news from my missing girlfriend yet the thought of what she had been through and what might have happened to her terrified me at the same time.

Another hour had passed and I was still sitting in the exact spot I was when my security guards left. I couldn't hear Taylor crying anymore. She must have fallen asleep. Dinah had dozed off next to me. I knew it would still be a while. They had told me that Lauren was confused and unsure of where she was. She didn't know if she was safe. She didn't know how she had gotten away. All she knew was that she was at a sketchy gas station in the middle of nowhere. The store was closed at this time of night so she couldn't ask for any information on her whereabouts. She had given as much information as she could in her state but the police and the guards would have some searching to do.

I woke up to someone crawling beside me to cuddle. I woke up with a jolt hoping my love was finally home safe. But no, it was Sofi trying to comfort me in my sleep. Maybe I had been screaming again. The dreams had started getting better while I stayed with Lauren but ever since she disappeared they had come back in full force with a few new ones to add to my collection of horrors. I hugged my little sister tightly against me and kissed the top of her head.

"It's okay Sofi, I'm okay. Lauren will be okay too. She should be home soon." I said not sounding so convinced. It had been at least 5 hours since the call now. I was starting to think they were never going to find her or that it was all a dream. The only thing that kept me from truly thinking I had gone crazy was the police cruiser outside keeping watch on my extremely large, extended family sleeping inside.

Sofia tangled her fingers with mine and squeezed them tightly, resting her head on my chest. We both fell asleep like this. That night was awful. I kept waking up every time someone made a small sound in the house hoping it was her.
Around 6 am I woke up on the couch with Sofia, Taylor and Dinah's two younger siblings cuddling up to me.

I appreciated them trying to comfort me or trying to find some comfort in each other but nothing was going to make me feel better. The stress was unbearable. Why hadn't they called with news by now? Have they found out where she was? Is she safe? Why isn't she here yet? I don't remember what happened then but when I finally came to I was in hysterics, Dinah was holding me tightly trying to calm me down. This wasn't new either. Every now and then during the night I would find myself in this situation. Maybe it was the dreams; maybe I just couldn't control my pain and blacked out. I don't know. All I knew was if I didn't get any news soon I would have to do something about it.

***

The phone call came around 12 that afternoon. No one went to school or to work. Everyone had been too worried to do anything but sit at home and wait. I was sitting on the couch, same spot I had been all night and staring blankly at the TV when Dinah's mom handed me the receiver.

"Hello, this is Camila"

"Camila it's Rodriguez, we found Lauren."

"What?" I answered my jaw dropping. Finally.

"We found Lauren. It took us a while to find out where she was and the trip there wasn't exactly pleasant but we got her."

"Where was she? Is she safe? Is she okay? How long until you get here? Can I meet you? Did you find the fucker that did this to her?" the questions were flooding out of me.

"Woooo calm down, take a deep breath" he said trying to get a word in between my babbling. 

"Sorry, I'm just... yeah"

"Okay Camila, now I need you to stay calm when I tell you about this otherwise you won't hear me properly and you need to understand okay?" he asked making me worry. I nodded, he remained quiet.

"Oh umm yeah okay" I finally said realizing he couldn't see me.

"Lauren was in the middle of the woods 4 states over. She was lucky that there was even a gas station with a telephone where she was. It was the only one for miles. She was alone and no one followed us when we picked her up. Right now you cannot see her because ..."

"I WHAT? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG TO FINALY SEE HER AGAIN, YOU ARE NOT KEEPING HER FROM ME YOU LITTLE..." I screamed into the receiver before he cut me off.

"Because she is in the hospital here. She was really banged up and the police don't want anybody to see her until they get to question her. She was severely dehydrated, she has broken bones and what looks like a stab wound in her shoulder. The doctors put her in a coma to help heal her faster. She should be better in a few days and we will bring her to you. But right now Jack is on the loose and it is not safe for you and Sofia to be out of the house. I will call you back when I have more news. So stay home. Listen to the police officers and don't do anything stupid" he said a sad tone to his words.

"Where are you?" I asked trying not to cry.

"Miss I am not stupid. I know that if I tell you that you will come looking for her. Don't worry she is going to be fine. I'll call tonight. Bye" he said before hanging up the phone.

I gave the phone back to Dinah's mom. All eyes were on me. I told them all that I knew and went into the room I shared with Dinah and cried for what must have been hours.

***

I woke up to my cell phone vibrating next to me. That's weird who would call me? All my friends know to call the house and so does the police.

"Hello?" I said sleepily. There was no response.

"Hell-ooooo" I said annoyed. Still nothing. And then there was this breathing sound on the other end.

"Who the fuck is this?" I said scared now. The person just laughed and hung up.

The blood in my veins had gone cold. I knew that laugh. It was him. He had my phone number. I got out of bed and ran downstairs and out the door. I banged on the cruisers window but the officer wasn't there. Dinah's Dad had run out behind me. I told him about the phone call as we went back inside. He called the police officer and told them what happened. I couldn't deal with any of this anymore. I just wanted my girlfriend back in my arms.
I drifted off to sleep again thinking of my future with her if she came home. I mean when she came home.

***

I woke up and looked at the clock. It was midnight. I was staring at the ceiling when my phone rang again. I didn't answer.

Five minutes later it rang again. It wasn't the same number as before, this one didn't say private caller it was some number from Ohio.

"Hello?" There was nothing. I was about to hang up when I heard something.

"What did you say?" I said raising the volume.

"Camzi?" Lauren whispered on the other end.

"Baby OMG are you okay?"

"I can't talk long, I'll get in trouble but I need you. I'm scared. Please"

"Where are you? I'll come get you"
I said whispering now as well.

"No you can't, it isn't safe for you" she said horrified by my suggestion.

"What do you mean it isn't safe baby? I'll come with an officer or something. Why can't I come?"

She didn't answer but I could hear what was happening on the other end. Someone was yelling at her to put away the phone. That is wasn't good for her. That the phone wasn't safe before the call went dead.

I threw my phone against the wall frustrated. All I wanted was for Lauren to be back. Why were they so worried? The police was out looking for Jack. He wasn't going to do anything. Especially now that we all had police protection. Or would he risk it any ways I thought to myself as my phone rang again. I ran to it hoping it was Lauren again.

"Hello?" all I got as a response was heavy breathing.