chapter 7: The Rescue

Rory's phone seemed to buzz endlessly as she waited for a response to her text. She had sent the message to a mysterious number that her friend, Alex, had given her.

"Use this number only in an emergency," Alex had warned. "The person on the other end will help you, but you have to be careful."

Rory had never used the number before, but now she had no choice. She was desperate for help.

Just as she was starting to lose hope, Rory's phone buzzed. She snatched it up, her heart racing.

"Hello?" she whispered, trying to keep her voice down.

"Rory, where are you?" a low, gravelly voice asked.

Rory hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about the voice put her at ease.

"I'm on a bus," she said. "I'm trying to get away from Julian."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then the voice spoke up again.

"Okay, Rory. I'm going to help you. But you have to do exactly as I say."

Rory nodded, even though the person on the other end couldn't see her.

"I'll do whatever it takes," she said. "Just help me get away from Julian."

The voice gave her instructions, telling her to get off the bus at the next stop and wait for a car with a specific license plate number.

Rory's heart was racing as she followed the instructions. She got off the bus and waited, her eyes scanning the road for any sign of Julian.

But as she waited, Rory couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into another trap.

Rory stood at the bus stop, her eyes scanning the road for any sign of the car. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, her nerves stretched to the breaking point.

Just as she was starting to lose hope, a black sedan pulled up to the curb. The license plate number matched the one the mysterious voice had given her.

Rory hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should trust this stranger. But something about the voice had put her at ease, and she decided to take a chance.

She got into the car, and the driver handed her a phone.

"Who is this?" Rory asked, taking the phone.

"My name is Marcus," the driver replied. "I'm a friend of Alex's. We've been watching you, Rory. We know what Julian's been doing."

Rory's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know all this?" she asked.

Marcus smiled. "Let's just say we have our ways. Now, we need to get you to a safe place."

Rory nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She was finally safe.

As they drove away from the bus stop, Rory caught a glimpse of Julian's car in the distance. He was still following her.

But Rory didn't care. She was safe now, and she knew that Marcus and his team would protect her.

Or so she thought.