Hannah
“Do you feel up for going to school today or do you want to stay home?” Bradley asked me.
It’d been a couple days since I was released from the hospital and I’d missed a good bit of school.
“I can go,” I said, “but I don’t have anything to wear.”
Bradley smiled and disappeared into the other room. When he came back, he had two big bags with him.
“I had Damien go out and get you some clothes. Here.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, taking the bags. He probably just didn’t want me to keep wearing all of his clothes.
“I wanted to,” Bradley said. “Now go get ready, I’ll make us some breakfast.”
I nodded and went upstairs with the bags. I sorted through them and settled on a pair of sweatpants and a hoody. I didn’t feel like dressing up and these were comfortable.
I put on the clothes and went into the bathroom. After doing my business, I brushed my teeth and put my hair into a ponytail.
As promised, breakfast was waiting for me when I got downstairs. Today, Bradley made scrambled eggs and bacon.
“You should be a chef,” I told him and he chuckled.
“I don’t know about that, but I’ll cook for you anytime you want.”
I smiled at him and dug into the food he’d prepared.
When we were done eating, Bradley washed the dishes—he’d declined my offer to do it—and we got into the car.
“No motorcycle today?” I asked.
Bradley shook his head. “Not if it will make you uncomfortable.”
I blushed and smiled to myself as I got into Bradley’s car. I was happy we weren’t going on his bike. I hate that death trap.
Bradley pulled out of the driveway and turned on the radio. One of my favorite songs was playing when it suddenly cut to a news report.
“Police are on the lookout for a Mr. David Jacobson,” the reporter announced. “His house was found abandoned this morning by detectives and two of his accomplices are also missing.”
I didn’t hear the rest of the report as a ringing filled my ears.
No.
No.
No.
I was practically shaking with fear and I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath.
I tried to get air into my lungs, but it wasn’t working and that made me panic even more.
“Hannah, breathe,” a voice instructed.
I’m trying!
My vision got spotty and I felt dizzy. Just as I was about to pass out, two hands gripped my shoulders, grounding me.
Bradley’s face came into my sight.
“Breathe with me Hannah,” he said.
I watched his mouth as he inhaled and exhaled and forced my mouth to do the same.
In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.
Slowly, I was able to calm myself and I slumped against the window. That episode wore me out.
“Can we go home?” I choked out.
“Yeah.”
Bradley pulled out of the school parking lot and started driving back to his house.
The minute we got there, I ran up to my room and buried myself under the covers. Tears rolled down my face and I bit down on my lip to keep from making any noise. I didn’t want Bradley to see me like this. I was already embarrassed enough from my scene in the car.
The bed dipped down beside me and an arm snaked around my waist.
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. A sob escaped my mouth.
Bradley turned me to face him and pulled me into his chest.
“I’m sorry,” I cried. I was getting snot and tears all over his shirt.
“Shhh, it’s ok,” Bradley said, rubbing my back soothingly.
“No it’s not.”
It’s not ok. Nothing will ever be ok. He’s going to come and he’s going to kill me and Bradley.
I don’t care if I die, but if something happened to Bradley because of me, I’d never forgive myself.
Bradley didn’t say anything, he just kept rubbing my back while I cried.
After a while, I had begun to calm down, and Bradley’s phone rang. He ignored it, but when it immediately rang again, I told him it was ok to go pick it up.
“Are you sure?” I nodded. “I’ll be right across the hall if you need me.”
___________________________________
Bradley
I didn’t want to leave Hannah, but my cousin was calling and he had some serious explaining to do.
“What the fuck man?” I said as soon as I picked up. “I didn’t tell you this for you to share it with the world.”
“I didn’t tell anyone. I was about to call you when we heard the radio announcement.”
What? How did the reporters find out about it then? It made no sense.
“One of the neighbors eavesdropped and sold the information to a local reporter,” Damien explained.
What?!
“You’re joking.” He had to be. Who the hell would do that?
“I’m not.”
I clenched and unclenched the hand that wasn’t holding the phone, trying really hard not to punch a hole in the wall.
“That’s not their story to tell!” I shouted.
“I know that Bradley, but we need to move on and focus on the real problem. Hannah’s dad is missing along with some of the police from the department.”
“This just keeps getting worse and worse,” I sighed, running my hand through my hair.
I just want this nightmare to be over for Hannah. I hate seeing her cry over this bastard. She deserves to be happy.
“We need to talk to Hannah. She might know where her father is hiding.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now Damien.”
“We can’t wait on this,” he pressed.
I sighed. “Fine, but let me talk to her and I’ll call you back.”
“Fine.”
I hung up the phone and went back across the hall to Hannah’s room. She was laying in bed and I climbed in next to her.
“Hey,” I said.
“Was that Damien?”
I nodded. “He needs to know if you have any idea where your dad might be hiding.”
Hannah nodded but didn’t say anything. I could see her brain working, trying to figure it out, but nothing came up.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s ok,” I told her, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Damien.
She couldn’t think of anywhere he’d be. -Bradley
Ok. If she thinks of something, call me. -Damien
Sighing, I put my phone away and looked back to Hannah. She was asleep, snuggled into my chest. The sight made me smile.
I think I’m really starting to like this girl.
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