Book 1: Beyond Me and You

Bad Feeling

"Larkin you sure you want to go home alone?" Vivian asks as we walk towards the exit of the school.

"Um.." I say thinking about what Nathan said. It's been a few days since that day, but I'd be dumb to go home alone.

"I can drive you home after my shift" She suggests and I nod my head in agreement.

I sit at the counter at the juice bar while Vivian works. We've been here over three hours and her shift should be down within the next two hours.

"One mango juice with a metal straw" Vivian says as she places the juice in front of me.

"Thank you" I respond.

New people walk up to the counter and Vivian walks over to them. I slowly drink the juice, but I'm distracted by the presence of someone sitting next to me. There are chairs open on the other side of the counter, yet this person decided to sit in the one right next to me.

I instantly get a bad feeling and open my mouth to call Vivian.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" the guy whispers quietly, loud enough for only me to hear. "Unless you want her to get hurt too" he warns me.

I keep my mouth shut and stay staring forward.

"Let's go. Now." He demands and I stay seated in the chair. "I said we're leaving." He says before he quickly flashes his gun for only me to see. My eyes go wide in complete terror. I get up and follow the guy out of the mall into a truck.

My mind and body have completely shut down. And just like that my vision is blocked by a hood going over my head, covering my face.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. Truth is I'm completely terrified. But I know exactly who is behind this and although I am scared I'm also happy. Think about it, I'm happy it's me instead of Ailee. I know Nathan and when he finds out he'll blame himself, I just hope I can make him feel better.

It's been a while since I got in the truck and they've been driving nonstop ever since. I have no idea where we're going.

After a while the truck finally comes to a stop.

"We're here." The guy next to me announces. "Don't move" is all he says before he hits me on the head, knocking me out.

(3rd person p.o.v)

"Have a good day!" Vivian says as she finishes her shift. She walks overs to the end of the counter to see an empty seat. Her head turns side to side as she scans the whole food court. "Ha ha very funny Lark. C'mon I gotta go drop you off"

She waits a few seconds and there is still no sign of Larkin. She pulls out her phone and dials Larkin.

"The number you are calling cannot be reached."

She hangs up and calls again but its the same response. In a mode of panic she grabs her stuff and runs out of the mall and into her car. Once the doors are locked she pulls out her phone once again and begins to dial Nathan's number.

"Pickup pickup pickup" she says desperately waiting for the call to go through.

"Hello?" Nathan says through the phone.

"Nathan" Vivian says as she begins to cry.

"Vivi I need you to calm down"

"She's gone" Vivian cries. She's full on crying as she can barely hold the phone.

Nathan hangs up the phone and quickly dials Zane's number. The the call goes through immediately.

"Finally" Zane says. Nathan's hand forms into a fist. "I'll get to it then. I want you to run a fight club for me"

"And why can't you do it yourself"

"Because I'm busy. Let's make this fun. Come to the fight club where you'll fight, if you win you're free and I'll let your girlfriend go but if you lose I'll let her go but you work for me once again."

Nathan stays silent as he contemplates what to do next. But he knows he has no other choice and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get Lark back home safely.

"Nathan no!" Lark can be heard screaming in the background.

"Shut her up" Zane demands.

"I'll do it, but if you lay even a hand on her you're gonna wish you never came here"

"We'll be waiting."

Zane hangs up the call and not even ten seconds later, he sends Nathan the address. Without wasting any time, Nathan goes upstairs and changes into joggers and a plain t-shirt. He sends both Dean and Vivian the same message.

Ailee is in her room playing with dolls while Nathan sits in the living room anxiously waiting. The thought of anything happening to Larkin is tearing him apart and he feels hopeless just sitting there.

After a few minutes the doorbell rings and Nathan goes to open it.

As soon as the door is open wide enough, Dean pushes through the door and pushes Nathan back forcefully.

"Look at what you did to her now!" Dean yells as he walks closer towards Nathan who has regained his balance. Nathan doesn't even fight back as he stands there while Dean grabs him by the collar of his shirt. "If something happens to her it will be your fault."

Nathan avoids eye contact with Dean. Vivian finally walks through the door and rips Dean's grip off of Nathan's shirt.

"Dean!" she yells at him but Dean stares off at the floor. Her stare goes over to Nathan who is also looking at the floor. His appearance is messy. His face seems tired. He's suffering.

"Nathan...go"