Countdown Romance

Chapter 19: I Thought You Were Dead

The door slammed shut as Vanilla left the room. I made sure to answer the questions he asked truthfully in fear of what he might do if I lied. I glanced back down at my "lunch" in disgust. The lettuce and tomato sandwich certainly was not going to be enough. I picked off the tomato and set it aside. If I tried to eat a tomato, I would throw up. I already feel light-headed enough. 

I ate the lettuce separate from the bread, and I ate the bread after the lettuce. I looked around the small room. I need a plan of action. I need to get out of here. 

-.-.-

A loud smack rang through the room. My head shot up and I let out a cry. The left side of my face stung and a few spare tears ran down my face. 

I had been asleep. Last night, I tried to stay awake, but my head was so heavy and tired. 

Clearly, it was now morning, and it seems Mr. Han has come to speak with me. 

I glared up at the big man. "You could have just said,' Hey Allie. Wake up, or you'll be slapped.'" I tried to move my hands but noticed they were now tied behind me on the chair.

Mr. Han laughed an evil laugh. The kind of laugh that a Disney villain would laugh. "I am not here to play games child. Talkback again, and I'll slap you." 

I frowned but did not comment. 

"Now, how did Brooks convince you to pretend to be his soulmate? Did he pay you? Did he offer you fame?" 

I shook my head. "I am Brooks' soulmate. I'm not pretending."

He slapped me again. I whimpered as the pain rang through my entire head. The cut on the back of my head also throbbed. 

"I am NOT here for you to lie! Why are you pretending to be Brooks' soulmate?"

"I'm not lying. We met when I left my soulmate party my friend had-"

Another slap hit my face. I let out a loud cry. 

"STOP HITTING ME!" I cried.

"Tell me the truth." Mr. Han's voice was calm despite my obvious hurt. 

"Fine," I lied through gritted teeth. "He told me if I pretended to be his soulmate he would pay me. I only wanted the money."

"Did he ever say the reason why he needed you to pretend?"

I let out a breath that I was not met with another slap. He must have believed my lie.

"No." My voice was patchy. "He just told me he needed me to pretend. I didn't question his motives. "

Mr. Han grinned. "Thank you, Ms. Allie. I have a feeling we don't need you anymore."

I gave a blank expression. Inside I was rejoicing. Maybe, they'll let me go.

"Sadly, we can't let you leave. If word about this got let out, that wouldn't be good. Alex, knock her out."

I felt a shock go through the right side of my head, and everything went black. 

-.-.-

I couldn't open my eyes. I heard muttering in the room. I opened my mouth to speak, but I only heard a squeak. The muttering sounded more alert. They must have realized I was awake.

Actually, I might not be awake. I think I'm conscious. I tried to open my eyes again. My head felt like knives were piercing my skull. My left eye opened slightly, and another pain shot through my head. The light was almost too bright.

My eye adjusted to the light, and I saw Darren pacing the floor. "Wh- what-," I tried to question his presence. 

Darren turned towards me. "Allie!" His eyes were wide. "I thought you were dead."

I tried to say, "Did you check my pulse, dummy?" However, all that came out was," check- pulse- dumb."

Darren chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm dumb. I don't even know why I took this job. My family was low on money, and I needed to help out somehow. I should've just gotten a job at McDonald's." 

I tried to move my head up, but all it did was induce pain. I let out a whimper. 

"Here let me get you out of the restraints," Darren muttered as he untied me. 

I tried to squint at him, but instead I just accidentally closed my working eye. "Why- help?"

"I'm getting us out of here. I know it won't do anything, but I'm sorry. I'm going to help you escape and then disappear." 

My heart jumped. I'm escaping. I can get help. "Ok," I squeaked. 

"Can you get on my back?" 

"Maybe."

Darren squatted down and I climbed on his back. My arms felt weak, but I held on as hard as I could. 

"Okay, Alex is off on an errand, so no one will know where we went."

"Alex?" I asked. That must've been the guy who knocked me out last time. 

Darren nodded. "The muscle dude with blonde hair."

"Oh, Vanilla."

"Vanilla?"

"Nickname."

Darren shook his head. "Of course you nickname your kidnappers. I'm Dummy and Alex is Vanilla. Why not?"

Darren went down a couple of stairs, and we came upon a back door. Darren left the building with me on his back. I slid off Darren's back, and my knees buckled. My legs must be sore from the restraints.

"Ugh," I grumbled. 

Darren reached his hand down and helped me up. "Here we go." 

In front of us was a small black car. Darren opened the passenger door and helped me in. He then got in on the driver's side and started up the engine. 

I leaned my head on the car window as he backed out of the parking spot and started onto the road.

"Thanks for getting me out of there," I whispered. 

Darren shook his head. "Don't thank me. I'm the bad guy here. We just both needed a way out." He stayed silent for a second. 

"Faith was a mess at school. Her boyfriend was trying to comfort her, but she couldn't function. Everyone knew you disappeared. All kinds of rumors spread. It was chaos," he explained. "Your popstar boyfriend threatened Mr. Han from what I heard, but he has been locked in his studio, so he couldn't escape."

"Oh."

I had wondered why Brooks hadn't went to the police or done something. It made me happy to know he cared about me. Except, I was worried about him being locked up. I hope he isn't hurt.

Darren pulled up to the police department. He looked at me. 

"This is where we part ways. Pull yourself out of the car, and get help. As soon as you're out, I'm off."

I nodded. I opened the car door and pushed myself off the seat. Every movement hurt, but I had to get to the police. 

My feet slipped out from under me. I fell out of the car onto the hard pavement. My legs scraped the ground and stung. 

Darren closed my door and drove off in a dash. 

I pulled myself across the pavement onto the sidewalk.

Now, it is time to be safe. I called as loud as I could muster. 

"HELP! Help me! Someone help!"

A/N: We are so close to the end! The last chapter may or may not be the next one. It all depends on how long it takes to get through the events. Either way, this book is coming to an end. 

What do you think is going to happen? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Don't forget to vote on this chapter and follow me on Wattpad if you haven't already! Be safe!