Don't Be Afraid

Chapter 18

Issac's POV

My eyelids feel like lead, but I refuse to sleep. Not until I find her and she's safe in my arms. I was speeding behind the car that took her a few nights ago, but they swerved and just...disappeared. I've been listening intently, turning my loud ass truck off, for the sound of a car, a motor, anything related to that, but the only sounds I get are the chirping of birds mocking me or the sound of a stream rushing near by.

"God dammit!" I yell to myself. I take a few deep breaths and try to calm my nerves by repeating one sentence over and over again between clenched teeth. "You will find her. You will find her. You will find her." My conscience laughs in the back of my mind. You'll never find her and you damn well know it. So stop trying. I shake my head, roughly, from side to side. I can't think those things. Hell, I can't afford to think those kinds of things. I start the truck back up after sitting for a few minutes and pull back onto the highway. They can't be that far. I mean, why would they have taken her without an actual reason and not have killed me? It doesn't add up.

-

The sun's starting to rise and my eyes are dangerously close to snapping shut forever. I look down at the car lighter and reluctantly light it. I need something to wake me up and right now coffee or an energy drink isn't optional. When the lighter is lit up and hot, I slowly pull it out and press it to the inner part of my left arm. I almost scream in pain, but I bite my lip and hold it in. After a few seconds, the longest ones of my life, I put it back. I now taste blood in my mouth and my stomach turns. It's disgusting and it reminds me that I haven't eaten in days. I haven't even thought about eating. My only thought has been getting her back. It's the only thing keeping me alive and moving.

After a while, I notice a car, and not just any car, but the car that took Linda. I stop my truck and jump out. To my disappointment, she's not there, and neither are the men that took her, but I look around for a clue. Some blood, a piece of fabric, anything. After a few minutes of searching, I give up and fall to my knees. There's nothing. I sigh and rub a hand through my hair. Something sparkles in the morning sun and catches my eye. I crawl towards it, not having the strength to stand, and pick it up. I study the object closely and let out a small cheer of happiness. It's Linda's metal headband. She never wore it, but she always had it looped in her pants or something. I found it a while back, thinking it would help keep the hair out of her eyes so she's not distracted when we go scavenging. My heart aches and I grip the headband tighter, afraid it'll disappear along with her.

"I'm coming Linda. Be strong."

Linda's POV

"Let me go!" I scream in a big, burly guy's face. He laughs and continues to pull me along. I try to fight back, but it's useless. There's thirty of them and one of me. I put my head down and walk slowly behind the man and in front of a smelly, raggedy woman, with a spear in her hand, poised at my back. Every once in a while, she'll prod me with it and shout for me to 'hurry up' and that she 'doesn't have all day!' I just roll my eyes at her and continue my slow, sloppy trudge through the mud. We've been walking for almost two hours and my legs wobble with each step I take. If I had it my way, I'd take a minute to rest and catch my breath, but they insist to go further and further.

After about another thirty or forty minutes, the man in front of me begins to smile and cheer. I crane my neck to see what's so...special, but I don't see anything except for an old, unsteady building that's about two stories high and three fourths the size of a football field wide. It looks like it would fall apart with one kick of a boot.

"Take the prisoner to the west wing. I'll deal with her and the other later." The woman nods in agreement and ushers me with her spear towards the west side of the building. A part of me is screaming run! Now's your chance! But the other part is saying no don't. You wouldn't stand a chance. I go with the second option and trudge along silently. I hope Issac finds my clue.

The woman pushes me into a room and closes the door, locking it. I pound my fists against it and scream. "Why do you want me!" The woman doesn't respond so I give up and slide down the door, stretching my legs in front of me.

"L...Linda?" My head snaps up and I look around trying to find where the voice cam from. After a few seconds, a slim, tiny girl steps out of the shadows and my jaw drops.

"Cleo?"

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A/N

Hey guys! Sorry for the late update, but oh well. So I'm gonna start these question of the day things. Respond if you want. I'm just doing them for fun I guess. So, the very first ever question of the day is: How do you think Cleo got stuck in this new camp? Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote! Bye :)