When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Ten

Hayden's POV:

I sit in the hospital with Jude. He lies asleep as I sit there holding his hand. I realize now who he fought, and I wish he hadn't. I shouldn't be here.

"Hayden," he says softly.

"Jude, he found me. My kidnapper-"

"What?" He says panicked.

"Jude, don't get up."

He lays back down and I sigh. Nate comes into the room, walking over to me. I sigh and hug Jude. Nate doesn't like me being alone. I take Nate's hand. He holds me close to him as we make our way to the car.

"Well, the little slut who got away."

I turn and see the man. Nate pushes me behind him. I hold onto his shirt, but it's no use. The man grabs me and covers my mouth. I whimper into his hand. He points a gun at my hand.

"Don't want to see her brains all over the pavement, drive away and don't come find her."

Nate doesn't listen and steps forward and the gun clicks. I cry out and plead with Nate to just go and get the others. Nate gets in his car and drives off. I shut my eyes as the man pushes me in the car. I see Brandon in the front seat. He throws back pillows and a blanket.

"It's a long drive to Vegas."

•••

I awoke to see we're in a small mountain town a less than an hour from Vegas. Marco is gone, so it Brandon. I try to open the doors, but they're locked and I can't get out. I take out my phone and see texts from Johnson. I call Cameron.

"Hayden where are you?"

"Nate isn't home?"

"No!"

"I- he got me Cam. We're going to Vegas. They're asleep in a motel, but I'm stuck in a car. I'm scared," I whisper, "I don't know what to do-"

"Call the police, they will track you down."

"Cameron-"

"It'll be okay. I promise."

"Okay."

Suddenly the doors unlock, and I shove my phone in my pocket. I pretend to sleep as they enter the car.

"Once she's in Vegas we'll sell her understood?"

"Yes."

They slam the doors and the car roars to life. I doze off again, and when I wake I'm being handcuffed. I open my eyes to see Brandon. I look at him.

"If I don't do this we'll both die."

He pulls me out and I see the flashing lights of Vegas. Marco grabs me and I see a man approach us. I reach in my pocket and look at the screen. I press 911.

"Either buy her or we'll kill her."

They go through many papers until a police car rolls up. Marco looks at me. He grabs my hair and pulls me to him. He presses the gun to my head.

"No!" I cry.

"Hand the girl over, now!"

I shut my eyes.

"How about I kill the girl!"

"Drop the gun!"

I feel him take it off my head. I then hear the gunshots and I collapse into the cement. I have a bullet in my back. . I cry out. The officer calls for an ambulance and backup. He races over to me, to help keep me from losing blood.

"Where are you from?"

"LA." I wince in pain.

"What's your name?"

"Hayden," I wince, "Wilkinson."

I grab my phone from my back pocket. Several paramedics come over and put me on a gurney. I end up passing out.

•••

"Is she going to be okay?" I hear a familiar voice ask.

"Mr. Dallas, she won't be able to walk anymore. The damage was too severe. He destroyed the nerves in her leg."

"When can I take her home?"

"In a few days. She needs to stay here."

"Thank you."

I feel his hand take mine. He sighed quietly.

"I'm so sorry Hayden. We found Nate. He, he went and slept with Elizabeth. He didn't want to tell us, he didn't want to return without you."

Cameron sighs and kisses my hand. I open my eyes slowly and look at him. Cameron looks at me.

"Nate tried to protect me."

"I know, we know that. He's waiting for you back in LA."

"How long am I here?"

"For a few more days."

"I need to pee," I laugh.

Cam helps me up, and I look at him weird. When I try to walk I see I can't move my legs.

"Cam-"

He places me back on the bed and gets a doctor. I sit on the bed and look down at my legs. I can't walk?

The doctor comes in explaining my injury. Explaining how it's miraculous that I can breathe on my own. He explains that I will no longer be able to walk. He also explains that this may be temporary, but isn't sure.

"We will get you a chair, Ms. Wilkinson. For now your friend will be helping you until you leave."

I nod and look up at Cam. The doctor leaves and Cameron picks me up.

"Don't move yet."

I hold onto Cameron. He just holds me close to his chest. I feel the tears fall. He carries me into the bathroom.

"Just turn, and let me balance holding onto you."

Cameron nods, and sets me down. He turns and I hold onto him as I pull down my pants with one hand.

"Just leave for a moment."

Once Cameron leaves I do my business. I wipe and shut the lid while trying to keep myself balanced.

"Hayden, I'm coming in."

Cameron looks at me and hurries over. I just feel hopeless. He holds me up so I can wash my hands. Once I'm done, he carries me back to the bed.