Shattered

Chapter 19

The drug used to stop Emma from struggling so much against our attacker fogged up my mind. When we finally woke up, I'm still drowsy and out of it. I wasn't sure what had happened. I tried to shake the blurriness away but ended up bumping my head instead. That's when I suddenly remember being attacked. I glance around and realize that I have control over myself again. It's completely dark and tightly spaced. I glance around in hopes of finding a light of some sort but find nothing. My arms and legs are bound and I hear muffled sounds outside. I feel a few bumps and the confined space moves. That's when I immediately know where I am. I'm in the trunk of a car.

I move around and stop when I feel something tightly wrapped around my arms and legs. I'm bound with a rope or cord of some sort. I struggled a bit in an attempt to untie or loosen myself free. The rope rubs against my wrists and ankles as I move. I don't know how much time passed before I feel the car suddenly stop. I prayed and begged in my mind that it's just a stoplight. Unfortunately, I hear and feel a car door opening and slamming shut. My heart drops in fear as my blood grows colder. My body temperature suddenly drops as I feel myself grow pale. The air is suddenly so still and quiet. I can hear my rapidly beating heart in my ears and my quick breaths as I wait for something to happen. I try to stop my body from shaking as I try to listen for anything. I hear nothing. No voices, no footsteps, absolutely nothing. I can't even hear a soft breeze.

I jump in surprise when the trunk suddenly opens after what feels like hours of waiting. I screamed as the figure bends down for me and picks me up. In a sudden flash, my body slumps and my eyes suddenly close. Emma wasn't awake. She's still passed out. I screamed and tried to force my body to move but as always, it doesn't work. I suddenly gain control and I'm kicking and screaming within a split second. It was like turning off a TV and turning it back on to see a different scene as we passed by mirrors.

In the short moments of having control again, I can see where we are and just when I thought my heart couldn't drop anymore, it did. It dropped from my chest into my gut and now into an abyss. The scene is too similar to the one I had witnessed. An abandoned building with mirrors surrounding everything. I know it isn't the same place though. The drive was too long. The figure suddenly stops before we reach the mirrors and they put me down. That's when I see Connor's panicked expression. "Connor." He starts shaking his head, unable to say anything. I just hug him tightly while I still can. "It's okay. I'm sorry for everything I've done."

"Why are you apologizing? I'm about t-"

"Don't say it. Please don't say it." I pull away and glance behind me to see a chair in the middle. The scene sends a chill down my spine. "Don't forget your promise." I turn back towards him to see him crying. "Connor?" He shakes his head at me. I snatch his hands and force him to look at me. "You promised, Connor. Willow needs you. Please." He pulls me in for a hug again, refusing to say anything to me. "Connor, I wish you had told me how you felt earlier," I whispered. He sinks lower and his grip tightens. "I was scared to." I giggle but it sounded empty. I open my mouth to tell him something I had actually wanted to tell him before. A while ago. Something he needs to hear.

We're suddenly teleported before I could tell him. My body is slumped again as Connor carries me. I'm practically thrown into the chair in the middle of the room. I feel something get wrapped around my body then tightened. Shortly after, I hear myself groan and I start to move. My eyes are forced open and I immediately can see and think with a clear mind but when I see Emma, I can tell she's just as drowsy as I was when I first came to. She drowsily looks around, taking in what she can. "Where am I?" I feel something cold slide against the back of my neck. Emma suddenly perks up when she looks in the mirror to see Ian holding the knife. He wears a sickening smirk as we make eye contact through the mirror.

Emma's eyes widen in surprise when she recognizes him. It's as if she suddenly woke up to reality. Her panic becomes clear as she frantically looks around, noticing that we're tied up. Her breathing quickens and Ian's grin widens at her clear panic. Her adrenaline kicks in and she starts to struggle against the ropes until she sees the knife. Her breathing seemingly stops as she nervously stares at the glimmering silver weapon. "Please, I didn't do anything." My voice trembles with Emma's fear. "Oh, I know. You didn't do anything. Not intentionally at least." Emma shakes her head and tears start to fall. He walks around to face us and he kneels down in front of us.

Emma starts shaking as she slowly shakes her head at him. "Please just let me go. I didn't do anything wrong." He clicks his tongue at us with a shake of his head. "I can't let you go. Not now." He stands up again as Emma begs him to let her go. She cries and screams at him. She uses different methods to try and convince him to let her go. "I have a daughter! She still needs me!" No response. "Please! My family needs me. They'll call the cops. They'll find me! If you let me go, I won't s-"

"You won't say anything. You won't tell the cops," he mocks. Emma sobs and leans forward, gasping as if her life is already slipping away. "Yeah, sorry to tell you. You aren't my first and you certainly won't be my last." His tone is mocking and sadistic. The charming man from before is gone. Suddenly, something wraps around my neck and yanks us back. At this moment, I do everything I can to distract myself. I let myself zone out and think of everything. I think of my past and my life to block out the fearful reality happening to me. I wanted to close my eyes and dwell deeply into my thoughts.

I think of everything I could remember. I remember my parent's support and love they held for me all of my life. The nights we stayed up just to hang out for a little bit. The days they comforted me through my toughest moments. The love they showed Willow and how much they accepted her. I even remember the small details like how my mom's hug and smile made me feel at ease. How my dad's jokes actually made me laugh and cheered me up or made me groan. I even remember the pet turtle my parents got me when I wanted a pet but lost it later.

Then memories of Willow came to mind. I can feel the struggle happening between Emma and Ian but my mind is far from the fight. I know what's happening but I refuse to face it. I melt into the memories of when I first saw Willow. I was, of course, scared of how I'd be able to take care of her but I couldn't deny the connection I felt at that moment. After carrying her for over half a year, it had built itself in my heart, connecting me to hers. I held her close and smiled. I was exhausted but happy. I wanted to comfort her whenever I could. I knew I had a long path ahead of me and I knew it would test my patience but I would try my best. I may not be the best. She may even hate me at some point because of the rules I'll have for her but I would love her no matter what. I would do my best to guide her, protect her, and support her. Then, I wondered what type of person she'd grow up to be without me.

To be honest, I did what every first mother probably did. I only thought of the good stuff that she might bring. I didn't think of the long nights staying up to calm her down. I didn't think of the craziness I faced when giving her a bath or when she didn't get what she wanted. The fits she threw frustrated me and I even yelled at her, which I later apologized for and told her my reasons afterward. I blamed myself at times for not being there enough for her, even if it's not even my fault. She's more mature than I would've thought a girl her age should be. The warm hugs we shared, the time we spent together, the joy we exchanged. Everything came all at once and I feel like I have done my best. All I could do was hope Willow would remember what I said. Remember how much I love her.

I would love nothing more than to see her grow up into a beautiful young woman. I wanted to be there for her first crush. I wanted to help her through her first relationship. To comfort her during any heartbreaks she endures. I wanted to guide her through life as much as I could. To see her fall in love, to be married, and have kids of her own. I just wanted her to be happy. Did I do that? Would she even remember me after so many years have passed? Oh, what I wouldn't give just to be with her again. I hope she grows up to be a wonderful woman. I wish her the best. She was and always will be my greatest gift. She's my treasure and everything I didn't know I needed at this moment. From the moment I held her, I wanted to protect and love her with everything I had and I hope she'll remember. I love you so much, Willow. I'll protect you. Always.