The Lost Girl

Chapter 18: Letting Go

Quinn's POV

Jeremy brought me to the hospital. I sat there in confusion.
"Why are we here?" I asked quietly.
"Ben wanted to talk you," Jeremy replied. He got out and I did too. I was still wrapped up in Josh's blanket.
Jeremy led me into Ben's room. Sky got up and brought me over to Ben who was sitting next to Ben.
"Hey," he said.
"Quinn, is that Josh's blnket?" Ben asked.
"Mine now," I said quietly as I wrapped it tighter around me.
"I'm glad you're back," Ben said. He reached out to me and I took a step back. He gave a concerned look. "Quinn, I didn't mean to you."
"Save it. I wanna go, Jeremy," I said. Jeremy gave me a sad look and brought me back to Ben's apartment.
"Look, we're going to stay here. I don't want them finding out where I live," Jeremy said.
"Understandable. So when is Ben coming home?" I said as I sat on the couch. I had finally stopped being scared again and wanted to talk to him.
"He should be home in an hour. Sky is gonna with Ben though," Jeremy replied as he sat down next to me.
"I hope he's okay."
"Me too. Hey, why don't we watch a movie until Ben gets back," Jeremy suggested. I nodded and curled into the arm of the couch.

Ben's POV

As I left the hospital something caught my eye. Jeff was standing near the small park across from the exit.
"Hello, Ben," he said.
"Jeff?" I asked. It was a little dark, but the hospital provided enough light to see his face.
"Look, I came to make a deal," he said as he moves closer to me.
"And what would that be?"
"Look, I have Josh and you have the girl. I'm here to ask us to switch."
"There's no way she'll go with you."
"Then maybe everyone should find him floating somewhere," Jeff said. I froze. I knew the decision had to be made.
"I won't switch with you and I won't let you hurt Josh," I said. Jeff laughed.
"You're going to have to do something," he said.
"Take me instead of everyone else. Release Josh and take me. I will do anything you want as long as you hurt Josh or touch Quinn," I said. I felt a little sick. I knew what they'd have me do. It didn't seem pleasant, but if this saved Quinn then I'd have to do it.
"Alright, I'll do it," Jeff said.
"Okay, just let me call Jeremy and explain everything to him. I want someone else to know so they can tell Quinn," I said. Jeff nodded and I went to the door of the hospital. I pulled out my phone and dialed for the police.

Josh's POV

I was curled up in bed. I was laying next one of the girls. We were friends and she also wanted out.
"So where are you from?" I asked. We had been talking about ourselves.
"I'm from Texas. You?" She replied.
"I'm from Massachusetts," I said.
"Oh cool. What are you doing here?"
"I live in the city. I work on Broadway."
"Fancy, I still live in Texas. I was trying to become a singer when I ended up here."
"I was helping someone who supposed to be here. I didn't want her to be here so I took her place," I said. The girl moved some hair out of her face. I sat up and she did too. "I have to find a way to make out."
"There isn't a way. I mean unless the police get here we're here for basically ever," she said.
"I hate that. I have people out there are worried about me. I don't even know if Sky's okay or not," I said as I realised I hadn't seen them release him.
"I know how it feels. I still feel that way sometimes, but I also feel like they forgot about me," the girl said. Then the door swung open. Jeff and Ben were standing in the doorway.
"I have some good news for you, Josh," Jeff said. He had a creepy smile on his face.
"W-what is it?" I asked. I was scared about what the news was.
"You are free to leave. Ben will be taking your place," Jeff said. The look on his face made me sick. I gotup and went over to Ben.
"Please let me say goodbye to him," Ben begged. Jeff sighed and I pulled him into a hug. Then I felt him slip something into my back pocket. I pulled away and watched Jeff push Ben into the room. I heard Ben hit something and Jeff just slamming the door shut. Then something happened. I heard the front smash open. Then some people came running in. I got really scared and ran into a different room before anything bad happened. But one of the people followed me into the room.
"We're here to help," they said. It was a woman. She was dressed like a cop. "We're the NYPD. You can trust us."
"W-w-we have to get Ben," I stuttered.
"And we will. Now please show me where he is," the woman said. She held out a hand and I took it. When I opened the door I saw Jeff. I slammed the door closed and went into a corner. The cop followed me. I sat down and brought my knees to my chest.
"Why are you so scared?" the  woman asked. I explained everything. She nodded as if she understood. She got up and left the room.
When she came back she had Ben. He came over to me and sat next to me.
"They arrested Jeff. And we need to leave like now," he said. I nodded and got up. Ben led me out of the building.
"We're going to be okay, Josh," he said. I stopped and pulled him into a hug.