Bad Memories // a.u.

chapter 23: the uncle

I opened my eyes slowly, my body sticky with sweat. I flung off the sheet that was covering me and sat up instantly, remembering the events of before I passed out. I remembered the man grabbing me outside of the diner and taking me in his van. I remembered him dragging me inside and flinging me onto this bed before recognizing someone I didn't expect to see: Jake.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down and think rationally about what I should do. I slowly got out of the bed and walked to the closed door. The wooden floor made a few creaks as I tip toed, wincing with every small sound. Almost all of me hoped that it was unlocked, but there was the smallest part of me that wanted it to be locked. The doorknob was cold against my sweating palm as I tried to twist it with no luck. My shoulders sunk down as I walked back to the small bed in the corner of the room. 

The temperature seemed to rise in the room and I wished for a binder to tie my hair up, but of course I didn't have one. I slumped back on the bed with frustration. There was absolutely nothing for me to do and I had no means to escape as the room I was trapped in was windowless. I began to sweat profusely, the moisture starting to drip from my forehead and also soak through my tank top. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that someone would come in soon and offer me some water or a fan to cool me down. My eyes were starting to droop when I heard the door open.

"Where is he?" My voice was scratchy as someone came into the room, closing the door behind him and sitting in the wooden chair next to the bed. 

"Taking a nap. Here," he says, handing me glass of water. "I brought you this."

I gulp down the water so quickly that it's gone in seconds. "Thanks. Are you going to tell me why you're here?" I take in the familiar features of the boy sitting in front of me and wonder what he has to do with any of this. 

"I know that you don't understand why I would do this, but you have to know that I don't want to. Ian is uh...he's my uncle," Jake explained. "I was getting ready to go back to Rhode Island when I recieved a call from him. It was so out of the blue. I hadn't talked to him in months, years even. He somehow knew I was in California though and asked me if I could stay for a few extra days. He needed help with something, but trust me, Noelle. I had no idea it was this. If I did, I would never have stayed. I have no idea what he's planning here or what he has against you." 

"You know damn well what he did," I sneered. I couldn't decide if I should trust Jake or not. From the moment I had met him back in sixth grade when he moved to our town I had gotten a bad vibe from him. He was acting sweet to me now and had for the last days he'd been in California, but that was such a big change from when I lived in Rhode Island. 

"Shhh," he whispered. "You don't want to wake him. I'm not even supposed to be in here. Listen," he sighed. "You need to do whatever Ian says. He's the boss around here, ok? I promise you I'm going to do my best to try and get you out though. I didn't know this is what he wanted help with and I need to get back home."

"Why don't you just call the police?"

"And turn in my uncle?" Jake seemed dumbfounded. 

"Jake. Do you really not understand who that is?" I asked, pulling my legs to my chest as images of my parents tied to their bed filled my mind. I knew in my heart that was the man that killed them the moment he slid into the booth across from me in the diner. I wanted so badly to be wrong, why else would he be coming after me? This act was in no way unplanned. 

Suddenly, the door burst open and Ian stumbled through. "What are you doing in here?" he questioned, pulling Jake up by the arm. "I told you to stay out of here. Now git." He pushed him out of the room and slammed the door behind him. Ian now occupied the chair that Jake had been sitting in just a moment ago. He was dressed in a large red checkered jacket and jeans and I wondered how he could stand it in this heat. He must have been dressing for Rhode Island weather or something. I held my breath as he sat silent in the chair next to me. 

"What happened to you?" 

"What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly. I knew what he was referring to, but I wanted him to say it. 

"You blacked out. Froze up. Why?" 

He still smelled of cigarettes and I wanted to back away from him, but I had no where to go. I was trapped on the bed. "You," I answered simply.

"I didn't do anything to you," he snapped, suddenly getting angy. He stood up and hovered over me. "I'll be back later to bring you something to eat."

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from saying anything I would regret. I was furious with this man who killed my parents and kidnapped me and I couldn't do anything about it. Jake was helping him and he said he was going to help me, but for some reason something felt off. 

keaton's pov

"Keaton! Open the damn door!" There was someone banging loudly on the front door, waking me up and as I struggled to get up, I fell out of my bed. I groaned as I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand and pulled a t-shirt over my head and walked downstairs. "Finally, thank god! I've been knocking for like five minutes," Skylar said, pushing her way inside. 

I blinked as I backed away, still waking up. I was surprised to see her, but then remembered that I didn't ever wake up from my nap to call Noelle. "Did Noelle come home last night?" I asked. 

"That's why I'm here," she explained, walking into the living room. I followed her and took a seat on the couch. "I texted and called her a bunch. Left messages upon messages, but no response. I'm worried Keaton. I shouldn't have told you not to be worried, especially with that guy rumored to be in California. I'm really scared." Skylar closed her eyes and I could tell she was about to cry. I always hated it when girls cried, but I put my arms around her. 

"We'll find her. We need to. I'm not going to lose her, not when I just found her."

Hello (: i hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Is it who you thought it was with Ian?? please vote/comment! xx zoe