When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Five

Nate's POV:

"You're going to be the one her pimp sells her to," the officer explains.

"I don't have a million dollars."

"I do," Cameron says, "If it's needed to save her we're using it."

Nate nods and they formulate a plan.

--

Nate meets the man who kidnapped her. Behind him in the car is a boy, holding Hayden. Nate doesn't look down at her.

"You're not getting her," the man states.

"Oh, why?" Nate asks playing dumb.

"Because you have police with you," he states and punches Nate in the jaw.

"Nate!" She screams trying to break free.

He hears her cry out and sees a knife placed at her neck. He sees her. She's scared and he can't do a thing.

"Put your hands up," Nate hears.

The man just smirks, pulls out a gun and shoots Nate in the leg causing him to collapse. Nate falls on the ground and watched as the man escaped, and no police officers followed.

Hayden's POV:

I feel Brendon dig his nails in my skin as the we drive away. My one chance. We pull into the driveway and I'm pulled out along with Brendon.

"Brendon drop her," the man says.

He does and I look up. Breathing heavily.

"Did you know?"

"No," I whisper, "I didn't think anyone would be looking. Please-"

He slaps me with the handgun. I fall into the cement. I hold my cheek in pain. Brendon pulls me inside and I'm thrown on the ground again. The man ties me in the den. Causing me to be hanging by my wrists two inches from the ground.

He ties my mouth again. I feel the tears fall and he hits me for it.

"Call the other bidder, she's going to Vegas in a couple days."

•••

I woke to Brendon tending my wounds. I don't move.

"Is he your boyfriend? The one Marco shot?"

"He was. I've been here a week. Tell me there's a way out of this."

"There isn't. They make sure of it. Marco makes sure you feel like a pet before he let's you believe you have a chance. If the next bidder changes his mind, Marco will shoot you and leave you to die."

I nod.

"How old are you?"

"I'm eighteen, Hayden. I've been with Marco my whole life. He killed my mom in front of me."

I just nod. Suddenly the door opens and a tall man around my age comes in with Marco. He's got his face covered, but I see his blue eyes. The man looks me over. He pulls me up and I shudder as he raises my chin to look at me.

"I'll take her."

I bite my lip from speaking out. I'm dressed in appropriate clothes and the man pulls me out of the door. I feel used.

He pulls down his hood.

"Jude?"

He smiles and nods. I sigh happily and hug him. He laughs and holds me tight.

"But?"

"They wouldn't allow me to help, so I decided my own plan. I came to save my girlfriend."

"Thank you, Jude."

He opens my door and let's me in. He kisses my forehead. Once Jude gets in the car we zoom off towards Sam's house. Jude hands me a blanket. I wrap it around myself and feel myself give into sleep as the cold California air runs through the car.

-

"Thank you, Jude," I hear Nate say softly, "I shouldn't have doubted you. I obviously don't deserve her in my life."

I open my eyes to see I'm in Jude's bedroom and I see Jude sitting beside me and Nate looking at me. I sit up and look at them. Nate looks over and looks relieved. I stand up and hug him.

"Did they hurt you?" Jude asks.

"N-no."

"Hayden-"

I look at the long sleeve shirt I'm wearing. Bruises from them handling me lay on my arms.

"Hayden, we have to know. Jude knows where this guy lives." Nate says softly touching my arm.

I flinch back in pain. I can't lie to them. Jude hands me my usual pajamas. They leave the room while I change. Once I remove the clothes they forced on me I look at my stomach and arms I shut my eyes. I quickly put on a tank top, and the shorts.

I feel so broken and worthless just like Brendon said. I feel like nothing. I hate myself all over again and I don't think it'll ever go away.

"Can we come in?"

"Yeah," I whisper, silently hoping they don't come in.

Once they both come in Jude is by my side looking at the bruises covering my body that shows. Nate doesn't even advance our way for a moment.

"Cmon, Hayden. You have to talk to the police-"

"Not now, please. I'll go tomorrow. I can't do it today."

Jude nods and looks to Nate. He shakes his head and sighs. He tells Jude to call if he needs anything. I lay down as he shuts the door. Jude shuts off the light allowing the moonlight to seep through. Once I feel the bed dip, and him lay beside me worry fills me.

"Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight, Jude."

I lie awake. I can't sleep at all. I move out of the bed, and go to the window sill. Sitting on the little couch area. I wrap my arms around myself. I shouldn't have run away.

•••

I put on my black leather jacket over my black shirt dress. Quickly I slip on a pair of heels before joining Jude. He looks at me and takes my hand. He helps me in the car before we zoom off towards the station.

"Are you okay, love?"

"No."

He sighs. Jude woke up seeing I was still awake looking outside. He takes my hand in his. We pull up to the police station and I get out. We walk hand in hand. That's when I'm taken in for questioning.

--

Cameron's POV:

"You mean Jude went behind our backs to save her," Sam asks.

"Be glad she's alive, Sam," Madison snaps looking at the boy.

Cameron hasn't spoken since the news came. She's safe, she's alive. He clung to the hope that she would be safe. There was no one to blame but themselves for pushing her away. He sighs and looks around the room. Sam and Nash look so guilty.

The front door opens and they walk through the door. Madison runs to her first. Engulfing her in a hug. Hayden laughs softly holding her new friend.

"Are you okay?" Madison asks holding her face.

"I'm fine, Madison. I promise."

The others walk over, and hug her. Cameron can't bring himself to. He didn't help her. The room goes quiet as he sees her walk to him.

"Cameron, I know you tried," she whispers and smiles down at him.

He stands and hugs her. She sighs and pulls away.

"I'm really sorry, Hayden," Nash says.