After

Chapter 5

"Any news?" Dinah asks, standing at the desk of the main detective working Lauren's case. It's been a week since her, Normani, Camila, and Ally were saved. Camila was spending one more night in the hospital but the others had been released just over a day ago. Of course Camila had it the worst. Somehow, she always seemed to get the short end of the stick. That man had her longer than the others, meaning he had more time to hurt her. It turns out she had not told the others about another form of torture he used. Electrocution. He would get a metal fork, stick it into her leg and put a loose wire up against it. She still won't say why she didn't tell the others in the first place, and they have quite asking.

"No Dinah. I told you I would call you if I find anything new." Detective Williams responds with a hint of annoyance in his voice, "This is the fourth time you have been here in the last twenty-four hours. A fan is going to see you one time, it's a wonder none of them have yet."

"I know. I'm sorry." Tears once again form in her eyes, "I just really need you to find her... please." Tears overflow from her eyes as her voice noticeably trembles. Her legs begin to shake as the detective asks another officer to escort her out into the private vehicle awaiting her. She opens the door to find Ally and Normani sitting closely together, anxiety ever-present on their beautiful faces as Dinah tries to speak, "Nothing. They have found nothing. Th-" A small sob from Ally interrupts her but Dinah continues, "The island we were on belonged to a woman who passed away a few years ago so the man in black just used her ID and credit card to keep it up, so there is no way to find out who was actually taking care of the island." Ally unashamedly allows her tears to fall freely from her face as Normani stares blankly at Dinah. "I'm sure they'll find her. They have to." Dinah finishes.

The rest of the car ride, no one speaks. They arrive at the apartment they are staying at and all mindlessly sit in the living room, Careful not to let anyone see their faces as they walk through the halls. They were given the option of staying in separate places, but felt safer all staying together seeing as their families had to go home to reduce any suspicion from fans, although all the girls are confused as to why they are keeping it a secret. Their fans are like another FBI agency, always figuring out every clue within minutes of hearing it. But the police seem to think it would be too chaotic to let the general public know of what is happening.

After a few hours of staying in the apartment, every now and then comforting one another or saying random ideas of who could have Lauren, they decide it time to go visit Camila. Upon arriving in Camila's room, they find her asleep and sweating excessively. Unsure of whether they should wake her up or not, they each find a chair to sit in and stare at her. Feelings of remorse blossom in them as they remember how they treated her. Maybe they hadn't handled the breakup as well as they thought. They had put the finishing touches on destroying her career by releasing the song with Nicki and at this point, it wasn't worth it.

Camila awakens with a jolt. Her eyes flutter open as the midday light floods through the small window. Her back aches, her head aches, her heart aches for Lauren. She notices the presence of three other people, assuming it is just Dinah, Ally, and Normani, she doesn't try and hide her discomfort in the situation at hand. She feels Dinah's hand grasp hers as their eyes meet. Large brown eyes meet equally beautiful brown eyes as they share a moment of silence which is soon broken by Ally, "How do you feel, Mila?" She asks.

"I feel like I was taken by a man and tortured for numerous days." Camila responds with slight surprise at the use of her old nickname, "Any news on Lauren?"

Dinah just shakes her head sadly. They had earlier come to the conclusion that he probably will not kill her. If he had taken such a great risk in taking her with him in his escape, it would be stupid of him to just kill her. He wants her for something. Silence once again spreads across the room as each mind races with thoughts of what Lauren could be going through right now. Their thoughts interrupted as a nurse comes into the room to give Camila her pain medicine. Upon leaving, Normani decides it time to eat dinner and asks the girls what they want from the hospital cafeteria. Dinah volunteers to go with her, leaving Camila and Ally once again in silence.