You Can't Be Too Careful [Star Trek/Leonard "Bones" McCoy Love Story]

[9.] Hanging By A Thread

[9] Hanging By A Thread

I didn’t know where I was, or where we were going. Jordan had yet to do anything but scare the crap out of me and force me to walk, but I knew the worst was yet to come, and that’s what scared me the most.

“That’s it,” he said softly. “Good girl. Just keep moving forward.”

“This is sick,” I spat, but my voice shook.

He laughed. “But you knew it was coming. You shouldn’t act so surprised.”

“I wasn’t expecting you to attack me on Christmas. Props to you on the element of surprise.”

“You sound upset. Are you alright?”

“I’m being dragged who knows where with a bag over my head by a raging psychopath who only cares about social status. Does it sound like I’m alright?”

“Good point. Now shut up and keep walking.”

“My pleasure,” I snapped, even though it really wasn’t.

I continued forward blindly, my steps unsteady and hesitant. Jordan didn’t seem to mind, though. At least he didn’t say anything about. Honestly, there was no way I could predict what was going on in that head of his, and I certainly didn’t want to test him any further. I kept moving, despite the fact that I was shaking so hard my knees were knocking together and my teeth were chattering.

The minutes that passed felt like hours. Every step I took felt like a mile. A million thoughts ran through my mind at once, but I couldn’t keep track of them all. Do I try to run? Will I even know where I am? Is Astrid worried about me being gone so long? Will she try to find me? Will she even be able to find me? Jordan smells like pine needles. Note to self: never use and pine needle air fresheners to avoid reminders of this nutcase. Oh God, will I even be able to use that reminder? Is Jordan planning on killing me? Or is this whole thing a scare tactic? It’s freezing out here. I wish I would’ve worn a sweatshirt or something. Stupid Catherine. Why did you come out here alone? What were you thinking?

“Cold?” Jordan asked, accidentally reading my mind.

“No,” I lied.

“Why didn’t you wear a sweatshirt outside, silly girl? You are aware that it is the middle of December, do you not?”

“Yes, I’m aware. But in my defense, I thought I would be outside for five minutes. I had no idea you were planning on saying hello.”

“You should always expect a hello from me, Catherine. I would think that a smart girl like you would’ve learned that by now.”

“You’re a tad bit sporadic there, pal. Sometimes hard to keep track of you.”

I felt him shrug behind me. “Perhaps. Careful now. We’re about to go up some steps.”

I lifted my foot and felt around for the steps in front of me before proceeding. I began to feel dizzy and wobbled on my feet.

“Whoa there,” Jordan said calmly, steadying me.

“Did you drug me?” I immediately asked, noticing that I was having trouble breathing.

“Maybe.”

“Why is it suddenly so hard to keep my balance?”

“Probably because I drugged you.”

I groaned. “Man, this really sucks.”