All Tied Up

Puppy Troubles

"They're so cute!!!" Ally screams running toward a pin full of puppies.

"I know. When they told me that we would be having adoption days i just HAD to work that day." I tell her as I pick one of them up out of the cage. 

The pet store was cute and really fun to work at which is why a bunch of us decided to work here this summer. That and my therapist thought it would help with the nightmares. Some of us are forced to be there as a form of therapy which is Will's case.

" Okay I guess I'm gonna head out.I'll see y'all at Darla's tonight, right?" I ask as i pack everything up.

"Yeah definitely! I am so going to win this time!" Leah exclaims while pointing at each one of us.

"Right. Because you totally destroyed us before." Will says helping Kenny put all of the puppies into their cages.

All I hear as I walkout is someone telling the story of last time we went to dinner then bowling. Leah's new so this will be her first time coming to our weekly ritual. It's always a blast.

I get out my [hone as I walk outside to call my mom. I knew as soon as I saw that stupid orange van that I should have just stayed inside. I should have just waited for Matt to get done so he could give me a ride home.As that Marmalade orange van slowly crept closer I made a dash for the nearest store. There were women seated all around the counter of this Candles-4-Less giving me a questioning look. I had seen one of them before at the trial.

"What can I-" one starts just before I cut her off

"You see that orange van out there?" I ask only to get nods as reply. "I need your help. That man inside the van is a local perv and kidnapper. He's been sitting out there for an hour. He's the man who took me from my home. He goes by "HearthStone". He kidnapped me a few years ago. He somehow got out of prison and is back to get me!"

B the end I'm bawling. He was supposed to be put away for good, never to see the light again for what he did to not only me but countless others too.

"Okay honey we're going to get you out of here. My car is in the back. If we can just make it through the store we can get you to the police station. You'll be safe from him and his sister."

"I never said anything about his sister, miss. I think I'll just go out the back and find some where to hide. Thank you anyway."

"No you're going to stay here until my brother can come get you. And this time no one will know where to find you." she says just as the bell rings signaling someone coming into the shop.

Just as I'm about to run the person grabs my arms. I start to kick and scream trying, pleading with them to let me go. Suddenly the other three women jump on HearthStone and his sister. Somehow I wiggle free with the help of these wonderful women. I race out the back and to the back door of the pet store. As soon as I'm in i shut the door and lock it. I bust through the showroom door and let out a cry that I had been holding in. I hear multiple pairs of footsteps rush toward me. I feel a pair of hands on my face immediately when they stop. I'm forced to look up at the person only to see a pair of bright hazel eyes.

"Whats wrong? Who did this?" Will asks with a concerned look on his face.

Although he may hate me I know hes a dick not heartless.

"HearthStone." is the only thing i can get out between sobs.

Suddenly I hear gunshots from next door. Everyone drops to the floor except for me. I grab Will and Ally's hands and pull.

"We need to go. NOW!!! Everyone lets go!" I yell as I sober up pulling them toward the doors." You guys go in one car. Go to Darla's and tell her HearthStone is back and on the hunt. Will I need you to drive me to your house and we need both of our parents now! Lets go"

They all jump up and start running to get their stuff together. Will grabs his jacket and backpack.

"If we aren't there in an hour and a half tell Darla to check for green light. We'll call you as soon as we get to my house and inside. Stay safe. Now we have to go or we'll be right where we were a few months ago."Will says as he grabs my hand and takes off toward his truck me trailing on his heels.

As soon as were in his truck and buckled he takes off out of the parking lot. We get on the street and start toward the island.

"Call my dad then your mom tell them to meet us at the safe house. We need to stop by Carlos' and Ian's before we get there. They are as much in danger as we are." Will says focusing on the road.

I get out my phone and dial his dad's number. There are only three rings before he picks up.

"Kenzie? Whats wrong sweetheart? Why are you calling me and not Will?" Joe asks with a concerned tone.

"Joe, he's back. He came after me when I walked outside. I tried hiding in that little candle shop but his sister was sitting down there waiting on me. Luckily the women in the shop helped me escape. The first thing I did was run back into the store and get Will. We all need to get to the safe house as fast as we can." I finish talking as we turn down Carlos' street.

"Okay I'm calling Jessica now. Make sure you pick up Carlos on the way. Once you pick him up make sure you stay together. This is a dangerous situation and you three are the ones he is going to try to go after. I would say it would be best for you to stay as far away from your friends that they don't know about for now. We don't need to bring anyone  else into this mess. Heck I wish you three weren't brought into this. You are good kids and don't deserve this. Now I have to call Jessica and don't worry about calling your mom or Carlos'. Stay safe. I love all three of you." Joe says hanging up.

I feel something wet run down my face. I reach up to wipe it off but Will stops me. He reaches into the glove compartment and gets out some napkins.

"Don't touch it too much. You're going to get an infection if we don't clean it properly."

"What? I don't even remember getting cut or hitting my head on anything. Did I have it when I came running into the store?" I ask rapidly trying to clean up the blood running down my forehead.

"Yea but you couldn't feel it because of all of the adrenaline and you had better things on your mind." He tells me as we pull into Carlos' driveway.

As soon as we pull in I can tell something is wrong. The door is kicked in and the yard is a mess. It looks as if someone had broken in looking for something or someone. Will reached into the center console and pulled out a gun and pepper spray. I could see there was obviously another pistol in the console. I looked him in the eye giving him a questioning look. He had been with me at target practice so he clearly knew I was a good shot. He threw the pepper spray back and handed me the pistol along with an extra clip. I cocked the gun then took it off of safety. Quietly I opened the door and closed it after getting out. Will and I stalk toward the opened door only to find the living room empty.