Disobedient

Chapter 14

Cassidy's pov

"This is the building!" I yell, breaking away from the group. I go running inside, ignoring the screams for me to get back there, mostly from my dad. He was scared to lose me again.

I keep running, trying to follow the same path that Piper and I had taken. I'd figure it out from there.

By the time I reached the room with the cell, I was feeling ecstatic. This was it. It would be over. We'd all be back together and could go home. That's when reality smacked me in the face.

The cell was wide open. A single piece of paper was lying in the middle of it. I walk forward, my mood deflating. My spirits sink as I read the paper. From Marcus to me. He was bragging. He knew he won. He moved them where I couldn't find them.

"No!" I scream at the top of my lungs, dropping down to my knees. I was so close. This wasn't fair. They couldn't be gone. Marcus wasn't supposed to win. I didn't even realize I was crying until the tears landed on the paper.

"Cassidy," dad whispers, pulling me into a hug. I wanted to shove away and break free from his grasp, but I couldn't. I couldn't find the strength. I was too upset.

"They were here. Look," Blue says softly, picking up Violet's necklace, a cursive 'V' with purple stones on it. Violet hardly ever took it off. If she did today then it was probably because it got ripped off of her. The mere thought makes me sob louder. I watch through blurred vision as Calum wraps Blue in a tight hug. Luke was holding Brielle as well. Ashton had joined dad in trying to calm me down. Hanna and Kyla stood off to tell side, sad expressions on their face.

"It's all my fault," I cry, "I was too late."

"It's not your fault," dad whispers, "you didn't know he was going to move them."

"He shouldn't have moved them," I argue, "it is my fault! If I had just gotten taken with the rest of them like I was supposed to-" I stop as realization hits me.

"If you got taken with them then we wouldn't know where to begin looking," Ashton says, trying to comfort me.

"I have an idea," I blurt out, breaking free of my dad's hug. I stand up and walk out of the cell and over to Hanna and Kyla.

"He still wants me. He wanted all of us. I can find out where they are. I just need to contact him and he'll come get me. He won't be able to resist the temptation," I mumble, pacing around the room.

"Cassidy Rae Clifford you are not using yourself as bait. I won't let you. I won't lose you again," dad tells me, moving so that he is standing in front of me.

"This isn't your choice dad. I have to. I have to save them," I say, my mind already made up.

"We can go to the police," he tries, desperate.

"The police can't do this. I can. I have to do this for them and everyone here," I reply, not backing down.

"They aren't making you. No one is making you," he continues.

"Dad," I say, cutting him off, "they aren't protesting because they know that if it was one of their kids in my place, then they'd be having this exact same argument. You would want whoever it was to find me if I was missing. They want me to find them. You have to trust me on this."

Dad bites his lip, "Please be safe. Come back home, Cassidy. I love you so much."

"I love you too dad. I'll get them back. Don't worry," I assure them, determined. I turn to Hanna and Kyla and nod, signalling I was ready. They nod and the three of us leave.