Logan

82. Stay

*Logan's POV*

I was driving back from Whitney's apartment, but I'd decided to take the scenic route. The road I took was long and winding, pine trees and woods indistinguishable from far away.

It was almost three a.m. and I knew I had to be at work around 10, so I was taking a gamble with sleep. I felt myself drifting off, the wheel tilting just a bit to wake me up.

I finally put both hands on the wheel, turning the music on.

"7 Minutes" by Dean Lewis came on, and I bopped my head to the lyrics, admiring the guitar strokes in the background.

I looked down, only for a moment.

Then everything happened.

I was in the water, and I couldn't get out.

Water filled the car pretty fast, and I was searching for my knife, taking a big gulp of air when it went over my head.

I couldn't find it. I couldn't get out.

*Natalie's POV*

I gasped for air, opening my eyes and trying to anchor myself. Heat spread over my neck and face, and I was sweating. I looked out my window, and it was still dark. I peeked at my phone, turning down the brightness to spare my eyes. It was 3:00, how could that be?

I felt the panic flaring up, and I resisted the tears.

It had to have been fake.

He didn't really die.

I dialed Canyon, getting no answer, so I hung up. I called Kellan, but it went to voicemail...

In order to know if I was right, I had to go to the source. I pulled up Logan's contact, reluctantly pushing the call button and hoping for an answer.

*Logan's POV*

I heard my phone go off, but I was too tired to answer. It rang again, so I grabbed it.

"Who is that this time of night?" I heard Whitney mumble. I looked at the phone to see Natalie's name.

I answered, "Hello?"

"Logan?!"

I'd heard that panicked voice before. "Natalie? What's wrong?"

I heard a cry, and then nothing for a few agonizing seconds.

"What's going on? Is someone hurting you? Are you alright?" I sat up, my ears listening for any indication that she was alright.

"I-nothing, I'm fine. It's okay, just... go back to sleep. Forget I called." The sound of her voice told me it was not okay, she was not fine, and there was no way I was going to sleep after hearing the panic in her voice. I was thinking of what to say when I heard the 'beep beep' of the call ending.

I yanked the covers off, sitting up out of bed. I pulled my pants back on, slipping the suspenders over my shirt. I pulled my boots over my feet, tying the laces as quickly as possible.

Before I could grab my jacket, Whitney grabbed my arm.

"Where are you going?"

"... I've got to go help a friend."

"You said Natalie's name, Logan. Is she the friend you're helping?" She gripped my arm a little tighter, and I resisted the urge to yank myself away.

I shrugged, "So what if she is?"

She scoffed, "Wow that girl, she's cr-"

"Hold on a second before you say that word, Whit. You don't know half of the shit she's gone through. Now I know I haven't told you, but I lived it, I was there. Honestly? It's hard for me to talk about, but just know this. Natalie's been around for years, and she'll be there in the future. If you expect me to just ignore something like what I just heard...then I don't know about us."