‘They’re creating a diversion to keep the kidnappers busy. That’s how I managed to get you out.’
Another wave of nausea hit , dry and wrenching.
Rhys hurried to pour a glass of water and handed it to . ‘Here, sip this. I’ll figure sothing out for food.’
‘Really, don’t bother. If people are looking for us, it’s not worth the risk. I’ll be fine. Staying alive is more important than eating.’
I took a small sip. The water ward my stomach slightly, so I drank a bit more. But after a few mouthfuls, my body rebelled. Everything ca back up, violently.
I hadn’t eaten anything in hours, so there was nothing left to bring up except bitter bile. It was agonising.
Rhys passed tissues and rubbed my back gently as I retched. When it was over, I collapsed back onto the bed, drained and shaky.
‘Do you want to try more water?’
I shook my head. ‘No.’
In that mont, I missed Ashton terribly. I ached for him to be the one taking care of .
But he wasn’t. It was just Rhys.
I lay still, my eyelids growing heavier and heavier until, without realising, I fell asleep.
The room was silent, deeply and unnervingly quiet.
I woke up so ti later from the gnawing pain in my stomach. It churned and cramped, empty and sore.
I didn’t move, afraid that if I did, I would be sick again.
‘Rhys?’ The small room was empty. A quiet unease began to stir inside .
‘Rhys... Rhys, are you there?’ I called out again.
Still no answer. My chest tightened. Where could he have gone?
I pushed myself out of bed, moving unsteadily toward the bathroom. It was empty too. A fresh wave of fear hit , sharpened by how weak my body felt.
I made my way back to the bed and lay down.
I was so cold, shivering uncontrollably even under the covers.
Ti dragged on. I glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘Three o’clock,’ I whispered to myself. ‘Where did he go? Is he even coming back?’
I kept waiting. Four o’clock ca.
I must have drifted off again.
My sleep was restless, filled with jumbled nightmares, until I woke with a start.
The sharp sll of antiseptic hung in the air.
Rhys was sitting in the chair beside the bed, carefully disinfecting a wound.
‘What happened?’ I asked, noticing the blood soaking through his shirt near the shoulder.
‘It’s nothing,’ he said, offering a tired smile.
His hands were stained with blood, and there was a smudge of it on his cheek. Stubble shadowed his jaw.
‘How did you get hurt?’ I asked, my heart beating faster.
‘It’s nothing. We’re safe now, that’s all that matters. I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.’ He set down the cotton wool, stood up, and handed a paper bag. ‘Here, you should eat.’
Looking at the food, it suddenly hit . Rhys had gone out to get this for . Had he been hurt because of that?
The thought brought a lump to my throat.
‘Don’t look like that. I’m fine,’ he said gently.
‘You shouldn’t risk yourself for like this.’
‘You’re worth it. You’re the only one who is,’ he said, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that felt too heavy.
I turned my face away. ‘What really happened out there?’
‘They spotted when I went out. I tried to be careful, but it wasn’t enough. Luckily there weren’t many of them. I dealt with them, picked up so supplies, and took a long way back. They won’t find us here. I made sure to send them in the wrong direction.’
‘Who are these people, Rhys? Please, just tell .’
Sothing told he was keeping things from , big things.
‘So things are better left unknown. The less you know, the safer you are. Once we’re back in Skyline, you’ll be protected.’
That only confused more. ‘But I was taken from Skyline.’
‘It’s not the sa people. This is a different group.’
I stared at him, completely lost. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘So things are just... complicated to explain right now,’ Rhys said, his voice weary. ‘Look, just eat sothing. Then get so more rest. You need your strength. I don’t know how long it’ll be until my people or Ashton’s find us.’
I watched him trying to clean the wound on his shoulder. It was still bleeding, and he was struggling to reach it properly.
‘Let help you with that,’ I said. After he’d nearly gotten himself killed for , tending to his wound was the least I could do.
‘It’s fine. I’ve got it. You should eat and rest.’
‘Please. Let do this for you.’ I insisted.
He finally sat back down.
The wound looked nasty. He flinched as I cleaned it, his brow furrowed in pain. He should go to a hospital. This was just a patch-up job. ‘Let’s hope it doesn’t get infected.’
‘Don’t worry, I bought so antibiotics,’ he said, forcing a weak smile. ‘There. All done. Now go wash your hands and eat. I got you so biscuits, bread, bit of fruit, and so milk.’
‘It’s more than enough.’ I was determined to eat. I needed the energy for whatever ca next.
I forced down the dry, cold bread, fighting back another wave of nausea.
Rhys had ward the milk. I took a sip, and the warmth in my stomach was a small relief, though the sick feeling lingered.
Exhaustion eventually pulled under, and I drifted back to sleep.
A harsh, rasping cough woke .
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