Until Trevor (Until, #2)(65)

“We can try.” I scoot over, give her room to get up the stairs with me, and once at the top, we both push against the doors, counting and pushing to no avail.

“It’s not working,” Kara says, making me laugh; the stress of the moment and her words break me down.

“We will get out of here,” I say, praying I’m right.

“They took pictures of us.”

“What?” I ask, looking over at her.

“When they finally brought me down here,” she looks over at me, “they took pictures of us.”

“Why?”

“I think they’re going to use them to get to Tim.”

“We need to find a way out of here,” I tell her, and this time my worry seeps into my tone.

“The door won’t budge.”

“If we can’t get out, then we need to find a way to protect ourselves against them when they come back.”

“There is nothing in here.”

“We can break the old shelves up and use the pieces as a weapon.”

“They have guns.”

“I know, but either we try to fight, or we wait for them to kill us, or whatever it is they want to do to us.” Kara gives me a nod and starts to rub her large belly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, just some Braxton Hicks. I’ll be okay.” I watch her closely, praying that my nephew doesn’t decide to come into the world right now. “I’m okay; I promise.” Kara says, watching me.

“If you start to feel like you’re having real contractions, you need to tell me,” I tell her, going over to the shelf and using my weight to try and pull it apart. It doesn’t budge, so I kick it a few times, but still, nothing. “It’s not working,” I state the obvious, watching the light flicker and start to dim. “Shit.” I run over to the lamp and turn it out, hoping that we will have enough battery when we really need it. “I never even thought about turning the lamp off.

“I never thought of it either.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have started smoking and have a spare lighter, do you?” I ask Kara, making her laugh.

“No, sorry.”

“Figures.” We sit there in the dark, my brain running over hundreds of scenarios. I can’t believe that yesterday I spent the day driving back home from our honeymoon. After leaving the cabin, we drove to November and Asher’s and picked up Lolly; she was so happy to see us and we missed our girl. After we got her, we went home and unpacked, ordered a pizza, and complained about being home and having to go back to the real world. I hated watching Trevor getting ready for work this morning. I wanted so badly to cuddle into him and hide away from the world for a few more days. Now, I wish I would have spent a few more minutes looking at him, kissing him, and telling him how much I love him. When he realizes that Kara and I are missing, he is going to freak the hell out. I’m leaning against the wall when I hear what sounds like a car. I stand when I know it’s getting closer.

“Is that a car?” Kara asks, turning on the lamp. I can see the terror in her eyes.

“Kara, I want you to go into the corner, tuck yourself into a ball, and turn off the lamp.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I have no idea. Just, please, listen to me. Get in the corner and tuck yourself into a ball.” Once I see that she is tucked away and turns off the light, I follow the wall to the opening of the stairs. Listening, I can hear the vehicle stop, then the sound of chain against metal, then the creaking of the door above opening. I see the beam of light from a flashlight shining down the stairs. My heart starts pounding so hard that I hear it in my ears. I hold my breath, waiting for when the person is at the bottom of the stairs, and then I wait patiently for them to notice me. I know it’s pointless to try and fight; there are two of them and one of me. They have already proven that they don’t mind hitting women. When the light shines around the room, it pauses on Kara for a second, before flying in my direction and shining right in my eyes.

“Liz?” I know that voice. I don’t know where from, but I know that voice.

“What do you want?” I ask, shielding my eyes from the bright light.

“I’m here to help.”

“Kai?” I ask, realizing who it is. “Do you mind lowering the flashlight?” The light immediately lowers, letting me lower my hands that were shielding my eyes. “What are you doing here? I mean, how did you find us?” I look over my shoulder at Kara, who is now sitting up in the corner.

“Tim helped me out, so I am returning the favor. You’re bleeding.”

“It has slowed down,” I say, touching the back of my head. “How did you find us?”

”Been watching for a while now.” He takes a step toward Kara, and I automatically step in front of him.

“I’m just gonna help her off the floor.”

“No, I’d rather you not.”

“You don’t want my help?”

“I never said that. I just need to make sure that you’re a good guy.”

“Ms. Hayes—”

“Mayson.”

“What?”

“Mrs. Mayson…I got married.”

“Jesus, you’re nuts.” He shakes his head, laughing. “As I was saying, Mrs. Mayson, I’m definitely not one of the good guys, but I’m here to help you.”