Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 31: Hayden

Sunday, 9:01 P.M. EST

I don’t know I’m awake until my entire body screams in agony. 

I know I have to be at Dane’s. Not because I remember anything, because I don’t remember much of anything before a few moments ago. Not because I don’t feel my own sheets, or any semblance of what they feel like beneath me. Not because of the weird feeling I get in my stomach as soon as I wake from my sleep.

But solely because of the smell that seeps into my nose when I drag myself into consciousness: Hard drugs, cigarettes, liquor, and right now? Blood… fresh blood.

It’s just not usually my blood that’s here…

I only realize it’s mine because I can feel it dried all over my face and neck as soon as I recognize the smell of it. I can feel where my face tore now, sourcing the blood. I can see it all over my hands as my eyes adjust to the darkness of the room.

“Daaaane!” I cry out of habit. But let’s be real… he did this to me.

I don’t even need to remember to recognize that, but as soon as the realization crosses my mind, the memories flood in after; My desperate fight to save McKaiden, the drugs, Dane punching me… over and over again.

That explains where all of this blood came from, but I can’t help the memories from sweeping me into a state of shock.

Dane did this to me… and all because I was trying to save my baby…

What if he killed her already? How long have I even been out? Oh God, he could have done anything! 

Tears stream down my face as I grow overwhelmed. I’m hyperventilating within seconds, and I feel like I could pass out all over again. 

McKaiden gently kicks my ribs, almost as if to remind me that she’s still here to try to comfort me.

He didn’t kill her… I still have time to save her!

I rub my belly as I try to gather myself, whispering to her in an attempt to clear my mind. My ears are ringing so painful I can hardly process my thoughts, reminding me of the blows I took to my head. I need to push past it to form words. 

“You’re so strong baby girl!” I whisper as I pull myself from the makeshift bed I lay on top of. Everything hurts when I move, but I draw inspiration from her strength to push through it. “Thank you for being so strong for me!”

I stand in the middle of a dark room, noting that it’s not Dane’s in my mind. I haven’t run into anything yet, and I would’ve if this were. This room is empty besides the sloppy bed made of blankets on the floor.

If we’re still in Dane’s apartment, this should be Evelyn’s old room before Dane shipped her over to Rob’s and repurposed it as a dungeon of sorts. He started to use this room to keep the girls he’d beaten too bad, while still keeping them imprisoned because the lock is on the outside. 

I guess there’s no point trying to look for the door. 

I lower myself to the floor, an awkward pressure between my legs reminding me that I have a phone stashed in my panties. 

I’ve got to text the Golds… especially now that it seems I’ll be here a while…

Now may be the only chance I’ll have.