Chapter 3- Black and Blue

*******

Silent halls,

With bright red blood on the walls.

Maybe from a gun,

Falling off a building from a shove.

What better way to die,

Then from the one you love?

-Z ♡︎

********

TWO YEARS EARLIER,

AUGUST 21ST, 2018.

WASHINGTON STATE HIGH SECURITY PRISON.

"Booker!"

I turn my head, seeing Lillian, the rookie cop stalking towards me.

This'll be fun.

"Hello there, love."

She flushes.

"Come on. It's time for yard—"

"If you wanted to hook up, why didn't you just ask?"

Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth before shutting it.

"You get extra points for being kinky, babe."

"K-Kinky?!" She clears her throat with a more steady expression. "Come on, Booker. You're lucky I wasn't sent here to get you to the execution center. I'm sure you're aware that you're on death row."

"Please, babe. You wouldn't get rid of me just yet...isn't there something you've been meaning to do?"

She stops, the unsure look coming back onto her face before she looks around, unlocking the prison door and pushing her lips against mine.

Ha...I'm so smart.

Never underestimate a psychopath...I am one for a reason.

I push her back against the wall, and she jumbles her hands in my hair.

I pull away, slipping her gun from her holster, looking at it with a smirk.

"Thanks for that, babe."

"Wait what?!"

I walk out of the cell, slamming the door behind me.

I look at the key card in my hand, then the angry expression on her face.

"You look like a little mouse, Lillian, I could just squish you! But that would be a waste of my time. Thanks anyways!"

"But—but you used me!"

"I use many people. Bye now, sweetheart! Who knows? Maybe we'll meet again."

I simply walk away, leaving her trapped in my cell.

"Hands in the air and drop the weapon!"

My eyes widen a fraction, and I throw the gun behind me.

"No weapons!"

"How did you even get out of your cell?!"

"Ask Lillian. It was all her."

They push me down onto my knees, my hands behind my head as they search me for more weapons.

Like hell I would just have them there...that would give everything away.

I can't help but start laughing, and the prison guards look at me like I'm insane.

"Why the hell are you laughing, Booker?"

"You shouldn't ask...that guy is murderous. Psychopathic."

"You guys are forgetting the best part!"

They look at me with concern.

"I'm not even going to ask."

"Well, I'll tell you anyway."

A ticking sound comes into focus and all of their eyes widen as a bomb explodes.

"I'm clever, too."

*******

Dear Daisy,

It's come to my attention that you've tried to run away. From me? I'm flattered. But when it's your name that's on my hit list next, wouldn't you be a little scared? Wouldn't you want to stay on my good side? I know you're thinking yes, Daisy. I know you're seeing this, Daisy. And by the way, I see you, Daisy. So do the right thing in this situation, and come downstairs, out the front door, and to that little bench. I'll meet you over there. If you don't...well, I'll simply just come get you myself. I only want to talk...

Hugs and kisses,

Zane♡︎

********

PRESENT DAY, MARCH 11th, 2020.

I venture out, stopping when I realize I have no fucking clue where I'm going.

"Umm...hello?"

I hear a door open, and catch eyes with Trevor.

"Yes...?"

"Do you know where Zane went? He just abandoned me and expected me to know where to go."

Trevor rolls his eyes.

"Typical Zane. Come on."

He walks out of his room, which I assume because I have no fucking clue, and walks down a flight of stairs that I follow him down.

He points to a door to my left, and I blink a few times.

"I'm supposed to go in there?"

"Well no shit."

I roll my eyes, flipping him off.

"You're lucky I'm not beating your ass right now for kidnapping me. I want my fruit loops."

"Fruit loops?! Gross."

"I'm offended. Fruit loops are the best, bitch! What do you like?! Coco pebbles?!"

I fake gag, and Trevor looks at me weird.

"What do you guys even have me here for?"

"I don't know. Ask Zane. Maybe he's planning to eat you for dinner."

"You're serious."

"Most definitely not."

My shoulders deflate.

"Good. I'm not turning into Daisy-noodle-soup."

I pat his shoulder, smiling.

"You aren't as bad as I thought, Trevor. I thought you were going to be nasty based on that bitch face you always have."

"Don't get too used to it, sweetheart. I could saw you in half and laugh after."

My eyebrows raise instantly, and he winks before disappearing down another hallway.

I feel a hand on my wrist and gasp, being pulled into the room behind me.

I hear the door shut, and look up to see him.

"Oh...hey."

He rolls his eyes.

"Hey. So boring. Can't think of anything else to say?"

"What do you want me to say?! You get butt hurt over every single thing I try to say to you."

I clear my throat.

"Hello, my husband material lime."

I say in my most seductive voice.

Zane smirks.

"Loving the husband material part, babe, but the lime part isn't a look. I mean, look at me. What can I say? I'm a sexy hunk of junk."

"Hunk of junk?!"

"Bitch please. At least I don't say bosoms. Just say boobs you old ass cow."

I smack his chest for emphasis, letting out a yelp of pain and shaking my hand with a pained expression.

"Fuck! What are you?! A freaking boulder?! I just about broke five bones right there."

"I can break five more if that's the shit you're into..."

"Really? Count me in. Bone breaking."

I crack my knuckles.

"Isn't it so satisfying?"

His face fills with surprise for a second.

"You're way crazier then I remember you being, babe."

"The name's a total throw off, right? I'm actually insane."

"Well enough with the teasing, sweets. Time for the training."

I give him a sly smirk.

"I'm surprised that you haven't resorted to a make out session yet."

"Notice how we have yet in that sentence babe."

*******

After about an hour of gun, bomb, and knife throwing training, it's time for the actual combat.

Not my best area of work, and considering I'm working against a boulder I'm sure this is going to be harder.

Much harder.

I stand with my fists raised, and Zane gives me a concerned look.

"What? What the hell is your problem?! Why are you looking at me like I shit my pants?!" I pause. "Did I?"

Zane laughs.

"No. You didn't shit your pants, honey. It's just...your form is so godawful!"

I roll my eyes.

"It can't be that bad."

"It is, babe. It's pitiful to watch you stand there like a hunchback whale. Let me help you."

He stands up from his sitting position on the floor, walking closer to me.

I can't mask the rapid beating of my heart at the fact that he's going to be closer to me.

He comes around from behind me, facing us so that we're facing the large mirror in the work out room.

"Can you see well?"

"Yeah."

He nods, straightening me so that I'm simply standing in front of him.

"First things first babe, try to bend your knees a little more...right foot in front of the left."

I do as he says, and Zane smiles.

"Great. Doing better already."

He places his hands on my waist, and I try not to literally jump out of my skin.

He's just so...close.

Zane turns me a little to the side, positioning me correctly.

Walking in front of me, he then moves my arms to an acceptable height, nodding.

He looks closely at my hands, and untucks my thumbs from my fists.

"Silly Daisy. If you keep your thumb inside your hand when you punch, you're going to break your thumb. And you don't want that."

I shake my head, and Zane stands a feet feet ahead of me.

"Hit me."

"What?!"

He smirks.

"You know what I said. Hit me. Fight me. Show me what you got."

I shake my head slightly.

"I couldn't—I can't—"

"Never say never, honeybun. I know you can, you were just holding a knife to my throat and bitch slapped me last night...I'm sure you can throw a few punches. Don't tell me," he raises an eyebrow. "That you've grown a soft spot for good old me?"

"Oh, never! You're sadly mistaken!"

I throw my best punch at his chest, trying not to show the pure pain that just went through my hand. His chest is literally rock hard. I mean jeez, way to break my knuckles.

He makes an amused face.

"Wasn't hard enough. Try again."

"Ugh!"

I throw another punch at his chest, seeing as it does absolutely nothing.

"Try again."

"Punch harder!"

"I know you can, Daisy!"

"Stop slacking, lazy ass bitch!"

"Just throw a decent punch for God's sake, Daisy."

"Don't give up on me now!"

"Try that shit again."

"Pathetic."

"Weak punches, babe."

"The second hand embarrassment I'm feeling right now is just sad."

I collapse face first onto the floor, breathing heavily.

I scrunch my eyes shut out of embarrassment.

I'm so out of shape.

I hear a slight chuckle from above me, then a shoe at the curve of my waist pushing me over into my back.

"Ugh! Nothing's good enough for you, dude! I get it! I throw some weak ass punches. No need to rub it in."

"You're funny."

"And you're dead. You better get your ugly ass shoe off of me before I snap your neck with my bare hands, Zane."

"What else would you do it with, Dais? Pliers? L-O-L, that would be hilarious."

I look at him with a trace of surprise.

Definitely wasn't expecting that.

"Well Granny Smith apple, are you going to help me up or what?"

"I'd rather not...only if you ask nicely."

"Fine. Oh my sexy cabbage, will you do me the pleasure of helping me up? It'd really be great, and who knows, maybe you'll even get a reward."

"Cabbage?! Bitch you look like a whole ass turnip with that purple hair."

He lifts me up with ease, and I wipe a bead of sweat off my forehead.

"Ugh. What time is it?"

"Time for you to go get ready for our robbery."

I frown at the realization that I have to rob where I work.

And kidnap Petra and Alyssa.

Kidnap!

I breathe out, pushing my sweat soaked hair from my face.

Nasty.

"Fine. Ugh, I'll go get ready."

"That's what I thought, babe."

***********

An hour later, were all standing outside the house at their van, with all our weapons and all that shit ready.

I'm not excited at all, considering I have to one, rob a place, and two, kidnap people.

Well...I was informed that it was my job to handle Kade.

This is gonna suck ass.

I climb into the back of their car, my mind racing with every possible bad scenario.

Because there's no possible good one with this crap.

*********

As we ride towards Scarlet Seductresses, or I could say Kade's company, the more and more I realize how stupid I am.

How crazy I am.

Getting myself tangled in a mess with the one that ruined me in the first place?!

The one that manipulated me to the point that I really thought he was the one for me?

I'm afraid he's doing it again, and the worst part of me knows that if I get close to him again, that I won't be able to let go. I won't be able to escape.

But that's also because I can't, I simply just can't.

Because I know he's the only one who cares for me.

And he knows it too.

*********

After rehearsing the plan to me for like the fiftieth time, Taylor, Trevor, Zane, and I are ready to go.

"Remember the plan, Daisy?"

"Yes. I go, lure Alyssa out here, go to the vault area, sneak in through the vents and to Kade's room."

"Good job."

I pull my domino mask over my eyes, and we all exit the car and head our separate ways.

Time to put this plan into action.

*******

I walk towards the door, opening it and heading inside.

I see Alyssa at the front desk, typing away.

I whistle, and she snaps her head towards me.

"Uhh—who are you?!"

"It doesn't matter. Do you see that large van out there?!"

Alyssa looks past me, adjusting her glasses and nodding.

"Yess, ma'am. Is there something wrong? Why do you have a mask?"

"I was on my way to a masquerade ball's after party but my friend got really injured and we need your help!"

"Okay, okay! I'll come! Let me just get someone!"

Alyssa jumps up, scrambling on her feet towards Petra's office, our main medical person.

I hear her frantic voice, then see Petra rush out with Alyssa.

"Which car?!"

"That one! The black van!"

I try to sound as panicked as possible, grabbing the key to the vault room off her desk and shoving it into my pocket before following her out of the building.

We hurry towards the car, and I point at the back.

"He's over there! He's over there!"

They run over, looking into the truck.

"Ma'am? I don't think I—"

Thunk!

Two loud thuds hit my ears, and my eyes widen as I see Taylor with a fucking metal baseball bat in his hands.

"I was that elementary schooler who got all the girls and did baseball."

He kicks the doors shut, and motions for me to go.

"Go! We don't have all night!"

I nod, running back into the building and into the elevator to the fiftieth floor, scrambling down the hall to the vault room and looking from left to right before unlocking the door and running inside.

I already see someone, and panic.

I need to get rid of them.

Using my fighting skills that Zane taught me earlier, I punch the person right on the back of the head.

"Ow! What the hell?!"

"Well fuck."

I mutter under my breath as the guy's hood falls off his head and reveals bright green.

"Thanks a lot for that, bitch. That hurt!"

"Well good to know that—"

He pins me against the wall, smirking wickedly.

"Well, well, well, aren't you a bad kitten...you should learn your lesson, baby. Or maybe I'll be the one punching you across the head, and you'll be dead."

"Why do you always threaten me with death?"

I give him a look.

"Can't think of anything else?"

He gives me a sinful grin that chills me to the bone.

"Oh, sweetheart, aren't you just so innocent! Any other things I could do to you are too explicit to say out loud."

His eyes sparkle with mischief through the mask hiding his identity, and he strokes my jaw.

"I'll leave it all to your imagination, baby. I'll just give you a setting. The bedroom."

He lets me go, and I slide shakily to the floor, looking at my wrists which are now a slight pink.

Why can't I tell him to stop?

Why do I not want him to stop?

I breathe in, standing up off the ground and lifting myself back into the vent, right as someone bursts into the room, armed with two machine guns.

I crawl through the vent, my claustrophobic tendencies really hitting me.

I don't notice a loose opening, falling straight through the vent and onto a desk with a loud thud, hearing someone curse under their breath.

"What the hell?! Who the fuck are you?!"

Kade.

Oh no.

But oh yes at the same time...

The person I was looking for.

I slide off his desk, adjusting my clothes and brushing myself off.

Embarrassing.

Didn't even get to make the grand entrance I wanted to do.

He slowly looks over me with a sly grin, and I immediately know what he's thinking. Once a dirty man, always a dirty man.

"Well hello there, darling. I'm not sure why you were in the vents, or why you have a gun, but I'm assuming you're here for me by the look on your face."

He backs me further into the wall, trapping me there with one muscular arm.

I look up at him, and he studies my face.

"I've never seen someone with such light grey eyes besides—wait a minute...Daisy?!"

Boom!

A loud shot goes off, and Kade dives to the ground, bringing me down with him as I see a bullet hole right in the wall above us.

That could've been in our skin.

He looks down at me, dark curls tumbling out of place.

"Are you okay?"

I nod silently, raising a finger to my lips and pulling his head down flat against me, behind the desk as we hear footsteps.

"What a shame, Farquel. I really almost got ya there that time. Almost nailed ya right in the head. Would've been a sight to see, would've payed to watch it. I know you're in here, with my little whore Daisy. Why don't you guys come out? You aren't scared, are you?"

Zane's voice echoes around the room, and my heart starts beating extremely fast.

Fear swallows me whole. What if he kills Kade? What if he kills me?!

After about ten minutes, Zane stops talking and his footsteps go dead silent.

I think he's gone. But is he really?

I hear the door slam, and even though everything in me tells me that it's a trap, I do it anyways.

I shift slightly, and let out a blood curdling scream.

"Peek a boo!"

Zane's face was right there, with blood running down and out of his nose, a malicious smirk on his face, and a loaded gun in his hand.

"Knew that would work. Sexy, but stupid."

I start to back away, as Kade stands up.

"On the count of three, Daisy. You are going to run. Don't look back. Just run. I'll find you."

I look at Kade who's arm is in front of me, Zane at the door with an amused look in his eyes, the window, and then the open vent.

I breathe out, nodding.

"One, two, three."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Gunshots go off as I quickly heave myself back up into the vent, letting out a screech of terror and almost tumbling back down.

Trevor sits there, with a gun in his lap and a cigarette between his fingers.

He looks at me with a vile expression.

"Hello, Daisy."

"T-T-Trevor—"

He sees me eying the gun, and shakes his head.

"I won't kill you if you cooperate with me, honey. I knew you'd come up here, such a predictable girl."

I nod, even though I know I'm going to make a run for it.

"All you have to do is come with me. We got Petra and Alyssa, Zane will get Kade, then all we need is you. Will you come with me willingly or will I have to force you?"

I don't answer, mentally preparing myself.

Here it goes.

I quickly turn around in the vent, crawling as fast as I can away from Trevor before he grabs my ankle, dragging me back as I scream.

"Let me go! Let me go, you psycho!"

"I don't want to hurt you, Daisy. Please just—"

I kick him in the nose, and immediately regret it when I see the look on his face.

Trevor starts to laugh, as a manic grin spreads across his face and blood drips down his nose.

"Bad choice, babe."

He punches me across the head and I black out, being dragged through the vents and up to the roof where Trevor heaves me over his shoulder.

He holds out his phone, and I hear more male voices.

"You got Kade, Zane?"

"Of course I did, baby. And guess what? I didn't even have to hurt the guy. He's on our side now."

"Oh really?"

Trevor says with a smirk.

"Yes. He's agreeing to help us with our plan. Now do you have the girl?"

"Yes. I have Daisy with me now. Such a silly girl. Got a good kick to my face though, I'll give her that."

"My Daisy's always had that spunk in her, take her back to base. And let me know when she wakes up. I would like to give my bad kitten a visit...maybe even teach her her lesson for disobeying me."

Trevor hears his chuckle on the other line.

"Maybe this'll make her realize that she's all mine for good...she made the mistake of giving her whole self to me that day when she was sixteen...never forgot. And maybe today she'll finally see it. The whole truth on why I really left her sorry ass in the first place."

********

Pain.

I feel pain.

Am I alive?

I open my eyes, my lids heavy.

I attempt to move, but there are restraints digging into my wrists.

Zip ties digging into my wrists.

"Hello? Zane?!"

His eyes meet mine from the other side of the room, and he simply waves.

"Hello! See what happens when you disobey me?"

The way he sounds so sickly sweet makes my heart thump faster in my chest.

"You tie me up like a prisoner. So yes, I do see."

"No, no. You die. I just didn't kill you, not yet. I wanted to spare you. There's just something about you, Daisy."

I shiver as he rubs his hand up and down my arm.

"Goosebumps. Do I make you nervous?"

"I—no—"

He simply just smiles.

"Stay here. I have to go do something. I'll be back in an hour and a half. Don't try something. I'll know."

He smiles somewhat sourly before disappearing out a door, leaving me trapped in the cellar-like space all over again.

Back to square one.

But not for long.

I take a deep breath, and rip my arms as hard as possible, breaking the zip ties and cutting a deeper gash in my wrists.

I hold in a yelp of pain, looking down at my dripping wrists.

I rip some strips of fabric from my shirt, wrapping them around my wrists like a tourniquet.

I stand up on wobbly legs, thinking to myself.

I have my old house that I never sold...I could stay there.

I grab my phone, and start to text Kade.

Kade! Kade!

Daisy?! Where are you?!

At Zane's place in some sort of cellar...I know where I'm going to go.

Where?

My old house in the woods.

Okay...good. Stay safe and tell me when you get there. Let me know if you need anything.

Something clicks in my head.

Didn't Kade get caught though?

I shake my head, clearing it of the suspicious thoughts.

I look around, seeing a small window.

I could fit through it.

Standing on a few crates, I balance myself then lift myself up, quickly sliding open the window then throwing myself through, falling a few feet before landing with a thump on the ground.

A part of me knows this was too easy...was it a trap?

Is this all a trap?!

I breathe out, jumping back up onto my feet and sprinting through the trees, trying to find that old house of mine.

I know this area...I've been living here my whole life.

I should be able to find it quite easily.

After about ten minutes of walking, I come across an abandoned looking home.

My old childhood home.

I run towards the front door, quickly opening it and closing myself inside, locking the door.

It's still in pretty good shape.

Whilst leaning against the door, I quickly text Kade.

I made it here...I think I'm safe now.

That's great...please, Daisy. Promise me you're going to be okay.

I will be, Kade, I promise you.

I wait a moment before typing again.

At least I hope I will be.

I run upstairs to my old bedroom, getting a comforting sense of nostalgia from when my family was all together...

When my dad didn't leave for the army and never came back, when my little brother wasn't murdered, when my mom didn't die in that house fire.

The times when I was actually happy.

An emotion I haven't felt since I was ten.

All I feel now is guilt, regret, sadness, pain.

I'm wrapped in my own lies.

And his lies too.

I release a breath, sitting on my old bed and frowning.

I pick up my phone, looking at the time.

It's been over an hour and a half.

Zane's going to come for me.

I see the little message icon, and Zane's name with over ten missed messages.

I hesitantly open them, my mind and heart racing.

I know you're getting these messages and my calls, Daisy. You better answer me.

If you don't answer the phone now, I will find you, and I will kill you.

I will paint the walls with your blood.

I am going to hurt you Daisy, I really am.

Don't make me come find you. Just come back yourself and you won't be in trouble.

You don't want to be in trouble with me, baby. That'll end in your death.

And besides, you know you want to come back to me.

You know you need to come back to me.

Because I'm the only one who actually cares for you, Daisy. Kade doesn't.

You make me feel like I need to hurt you, Daisy.

I will find you.

You may be able to run, but you can't hide.

Not from me at least.

I know your information, I know where you are.

Fine.

Won't answer?

I'll come to you myself Daisy, with my freshly sharpened knives and a loaded gun.

You'll have a slow and painful death, baby. I won't spare you, I won't give mercy.

You've given me no choice, baby. I'll see you soon. XX, Zane.

As I scroll through all his messages, I start to get sick to my stomach.

I can't hold it in, throwing up on the floor in front of me, dropping my phone.

It's disgusting.

He's disgusting.

How could someone even talk to someone else like that without feeling completely repulsed after?

Terror consumes me, as the fear for my own life takes over, as does fight or flight.

But I can't fight him. I can't run from him.

He's simply too strong.

Why can't he just go away?

But deep down, I know it's true.

I know he's the only one that truly cares for me, but what if it's all a lie?!

It can't...he wouldn't again...he promised.

Zane said he wouldn't hurt me, and I believe him, perhaps it's another one of his episodes?

My mind runs with thoughts and questions I can't answer, and at this point I'm questioning my own sanity.

I haven't had an attack in years, but maybe this simply is a start of another one?

As soon as the dizziness and headache subsides, I get to work on cleaning up the floor.

I hear a buzz, and my heart stops in my chest.

Oh no...

I crawl across the floor, grasping my phone in shaking hands.

I open the message app, short breaths coming in and out.

I open Zane's contact, the picture of me laughing and him making a stupid face burning a hole in my head.

Why can't we just be like that?

Why can't we just be normal?

I look down at the message, a sick feeling settling in my gut once more.

But this time it isn't disgust, but pure fear.

Hello, baby.

I hear a thunk on my window, lifting up my heavy head to peer out.

I peek through the curtains, immediately dropping back down, pushing myself against the wall and holding my hand over my heart which is pounding super hard.

He's here.

He came for me.

Another rock hits my window, and I hear him laughing outside.

"Ohhh, Daisy! Why don't you come down? I only want to talk!"

His voice has a psychotic ring to it, that makes me ten times more terrified.

"Daisy, don't make me come up there myself."

How did he find me? How did he...how does he...how does he know?!

Only Kade knows that—

Something clicks in my head, and a strong sense of betrayal falls down onto my heart.

It was Kade.

He told Zane where I was! Even though I told him that he was going to kill me!

Does he want me dead?

As I weigh the decisions in my head, I realize the only way I actually have a chance of living and escaping, is to actually go down there and talk to him.

I take a few deep breaths, before opening my curtains.

Our eyes immediately meet, and I struggle not to break eye contact.

He smirks, and I simply just look at him, opening the window.

Think, Daisy. Think. Why can't you think?!

"Hello, Daisy."

"You aren't wanted here. Go away."

He walks right underneath my window, giving me a leering look as I stare down at him.

"And you really think I'm just going to listen to that? You're mine, Daisy. And I have control over you."

I frown. He does.

"You know you're nothing without me, baby. So please, just come down and talk? I won't hurt you. I never would."

The sincerity in his voice is what made me nod and shut the window, pulling on a jacket and walking down the stairs.

But what if it's fake sincerity, Daisy? You know he's a manipulator, Dismay's voice rings throughout my head.

"No. He wouldn't lie to me, not a second time. He promised,"

Her giggle ricochets in my head.

Silly, silly girl you are, Daisy. You're the same naive girl you were five years ago. And I thought you'd changed.

"I have changed, Dismay! And you being here now to doubt me doesn't make it any different. Shut the fuck up."

I didn't hear her voice again as I reached the front door, resting my hand on the handle.

Now I'm really regretting this.

But what if—no. I can't think that way. Sure, it's Zane, but he wouldn't hurt me. He won't hurt me.

I push open the door, feeling the cold breeze hit my legs, spreading a wildfire of goosebumps across them.

I shut the door, walking around the side of my house.

But he's gone.

What?

"Zane?"

I make the stupid mistake of calling out, as I hear a gun being loaded.

"Found you."

Bang!

Everything goes silent as all I hear is the ringing of the gunshot, and searing pain in my stomach as I crumple to the floor in a heap of pain and sadness and betrayal.

Someone's arms gently wrap around me, covering me in warmth as they stroke my hair, pushing it from my eyes so I can see one last thing before my vision fades.

Am I dying?

Am I even alive right now?

I look up, dark black immediately catching my attention.

"Kade—"

"Shh," he coos. "I got you. You'll be okay."

A small smile spreads across my face.

"You'll come with me, and I'll make sure you have a nice big surprise when you wake up."

"But Zane—Kade, I saw him—"

"I think you had another episode, Daisy. I think you imagined it."

I did, didn't I?

Liar.

Dismay's voice echoes in my head, but I can't make out what she's saying.

My head lolls to the side in his lap, and he snickers slightly as he tosses me over his shoulder gently, and I hear other male voices echoing in the distance.

One that I immediately recognize.

"Kade, you got the girl?"

"Yes, boss. I did."

I hear a slight chuckle.

"Hand her over. I'll handle it from here."

He lays me down flat onto a car hood.

His hands find the hem of my shirt, lifting it up and examining the wound.

"Trevor got you good, baby. You're lucky they convinced me not to do it, I would've caused you a lot more pain then a simple shot to the stomach."

He leans over the car, his hands wet and sticky with my blood.

"Oh how I wish to see your insides Daisy Saunders, I bet they're prettier than your little face. That day will come soon enough, baby. I promise you that."

He looks down at my unconscious body for a moment longer, planting a kiss on my forehead before walking away.

I hear his voice in the distance.

"Xander? Taylor? Somebody dress the girl's wounds. She'll need to be healed for the next time she wakes up."

Taylor and Xander nod, walking over to me.

"Well shit. I didn't think they were going to actually shoot her."

"What did you think, Xander? They were going to knock her out with a nerf gun?!"

Xander laughs, looking down at me.

"Sorry about that, Daisy. You'll wish you were unconscious like this when you wake up next...I just know my older brother is going to do something you won't like when you wake up."

Hmmm...too bad you won't be there when you wake up, babe.

Dismay's manic laughter echos in my head.

I will. And don't worry...I'll make sure Zane gets what he deserves. Death.

********