Sought and Snatched

Chapter 21

Carter's P.O.V

My fists were clenched and I watched as my knuckles turned white. The sharpness of my fingernails cut into my skin but I didn't lessen my grip. After all the sacrifices I made, they all seemed meaningless. Nothing I did was ever enough to take down my uncle.

How was it fair that an evil man like him roamed the earth while innocent good-hearted people died at his hands. I curled up in a ball and shut my eyes. Begging for all of this to be a nightmare. For all of it to go away.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You're sleeping on the job now Williams?"

Luna.

I sprang to my feet. Ignoring the pain in my stomach and legs. "Where's Josephine?"

"You were closer so I stopped by to get you first. Come one we don't have much time."

I stood there as Luna took out a black key from her pocket and unlocked the cell door. Luna stepped back ready to lead me to Josephine but I crushed her in a hug first.

"You came back to us."

I set her down and she beamed at me. "Friends don't leave each other behind."

"Do my eyes deceive me? But I think that Luna Miller is actually smiling?"

Luna shoved me in the shoulder and I winced at the pain. She rolled her eyes at me before tugging me along behind her. I could feel my body begin to sweat. What if we didn't make it to Josephine in time?

The pain I was experiencing all over my body was unbearable. But somehow I was bearing it in every awkward step I took. My heart was sprinting towards the girl I love. So I could be her knight in shining armor and save her.

Luna and I got to a room but the door was broken and on the floor. I began to panic and rushed into the room looking for Josephine. There was a huge yell from behind and I turned around to see Josephine holding a metal piece that looked like came from the bed.

She wields it over her head getting ready to use it.

"Relax. It's us."

Josephine lowered her weapon and she snuggled into Luna's arms. They separated from each other, laughed with tears in their eyes then hugged again. I stood there dumbfounded and smiled.

Then Josephine came over to me and gave me a hug. I was started but returned the favor.  When we both let go, we didn't move. Just stared at each other. We were inches apart. My senses engulfed in the sweet smell of her sweat and honey-scented shampoo.

Her hands pressed against my chest. Our noses touching. Both of us out of breath yet weren't even moving. All I had to do was take a step and we would be kissing. Her big, soft, brownish, pink lips taunted me.

I leaned in and she stood rigid. She was shaking but she didn't move. Josie was hesitant and I so badly craved her lips. Craved her. All I could think about was kissing her and if she wanted to kiss me too.

Her hands slithered around my neck and mine find their way to her waist. I didn't even think it was possible but somehow we found a way to be even closer to each other. She bit her lower lip in front of me and my knees practically buckled then and there.

Everything around us was frozen, including me. The only thing that was moving at this moment was her dark brown eyes searching my face for an answer. But my body failed to give her one.

The moment ended as she finally decided to give me another hug. I slipped my arms around her small waist and hoisted her up in the air. Her light giggles followed right after. I spun around and watched her frizzy brown hair trailing behind her.

When I was done I didn't put her down. Instead, I nuzzled my face into her stomach and I grinned when she laughed.

"Come on, we have to go. Put me down!"

I pouted at her and raised my left eyebrow. "Do I have to?" She rolled her eyes at me and I set her down, giving her one last hug.

She turned to leave but not before she grabbed my wrist to lead me along. There was an odd rhythm to her step that wasn't there before. "Josie, are you okay? You're limping."

She looked at me, then screwed her eyes shut and sighed. "I don't want to talk about." She mumbled.

My fingers scrunched into angry cannonballs once again. My teeth slid across each other. Josephine definitely had gone through a lot here.

"Did they hurt you?" 

She just looked at me teary-eyed and that's the answer I needed. I was going to kill him. I didn't want to press her but I had to know.

"What did they do to you?"

She turned away from me and continued to walk away down the corridor.

"It was just a bullet wound in my butt cheek."

I looked over at Luna who was trying to stifle a laugh but was failing miserably. Tears escaping her eyes.

"It's not funny. She could have been killed."

"Welcome to every day of our lives, Romeo."

She pushed my shoulder playfully.

"Look. She's strong Williams. You and I both know that. She needs your comfort and support that she can get through it. Not to be coddled."

I nodded and stayed quiet but didn't go after her. Josephine spun on her heel and ran towards us.

"Wait I almost forgot something so important! We have to help them!"

Luna grabbed her shoulders, concerned flooding her eyes. "Help who? Josie what we need to do right now is get out of here and get you safe. We came here on a mission and we have done our job. If we stay we will risk everything."

"No. Luna you don't understand. We can't just leave them."

What were they talking about? Did they know something that I didn't? 

"I promise after we get back to headquarters Samuel will take care of everything. This is what we are fighting for remember?"

I couldn't take it anymore. "What are you two talking about?!"

Josephine and Luna faced me. Luna's face unreadable but a glint of fear in her eyes. Josephine's eyes filled with tears and her breath shaky, hands trembling.

Josephine spoke. "I saw a room that was holding a bunch of girls captive. Many as old as us and others that were younger and they had horrible wounds."

"What that doesn't make any sense."

"Jack Julian is running an underground human trafficking system," Luna said.

Josephine's eyes lit up with anger and fear.

Talking to her feet, she spoke.

"He's kidnapping young girls and selling them. He needs to be stopped."

******

"I didn't come this far, to only come this far." -anonymous

"She was unstoppable not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continues on despite them." -Beau Taplin

It's hard to hold on to your dreams when it seems like no progress is being made. But keep going. You're almost there." -Miss Yanxiet :)