Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
She cups the back of her head.
“And then I pushed him,” she says, “and his head slammed against the side of the barn and he fell. I ran into the woods and just kept running. I didn’t have any shoes on, but I could hardly feel my feet hitting the ground. I just kept going, through the woods, wheezing through the pain, I just...kept going and going. I must’ve run all night.”
“When did you eventually stop?” Cal asks.
“Before sunrise, I crossed some hayfields and followed the road into a town.”
“You remember the name of the town?”
“Baileyton, I think. I broke into a Dollar General and stole some clothes to put on over my own, and shoes.”
“Same clothes you’re wearing now?” Cal asks, gesturing to her dirty sweats. She nods. “How’d you get back to Knoxville?”
“I walked,” she says. “I avoided the main roads, so it took a long time. Like two full days of just walking. I had to stop and take naps, drink water from people’s hoses. Eventually, I made it back to the motel and found it completely trashed. I figured the guy must’ve been here looking for me, and he knew where we lived... I was afraid he’d found Holly.”
She blinks, sending tears streaming down her ruddy cheeks. I rest my hand on the couch between us, hoping she’ll take it.
“I decided to hide out at the mall because I figured it’s the last place anyone would think to look for me,” she says. “Except you, Hollywood.”
Finally, she takes my hand. Our gazes meet, and though the pilot light’s gone out behind her eyes, I can still make out a faint flicker of the Kenzie who loves me.
“You took a serious beating,” Cal says. “Does it hurt to breathe?”
She nods. “A little.”
“You might have a broken rib, or three.” He scribbles a note on his pad, then flips to a fresh page. “Did the man who solicited your affection use a condom?”
“Cal,” I say forcefully. “Really?”
“It’s okay,” Kenzie says. “Yeah, I think he used one.”
“And have you bathed at all since the incident?” Cal asks.
“I’ve washed my hands at a few different sinks, but otherwise, no.”
“I advised her not to shower just yet,” Mary says, her kind smile fraying around the edges as she struggles not to cry.
“Good,” Cal says. “McKenzie, I’m sure you’re eager to wash off the last few days, but right now, your body’s a crime scene. It’s important that whatever trace evidence your attacker or the environment left behind be well preserved until it can be gathered.”
“When will that happen?” I ask.
“As soon as we’re done here. I just need to make a quick phone call.” He looks to me. “Holly, I’m gonna need you to pack her a change of clothes. We’ll be collecting everything she’s got on.”
I pat Kenzie’s hand, then rise from the couch. “I’m going to go get you some fresh clothes. Do you need anything else?”
She shakes her head.
I run upstairs to the guest room and start rifling through my luggage for something that’ll fit Kenzie comfortably.
Teagan knocks on the open door. “Anything I can do?”
“Not this time,” I say, smiling warmly. Teagan’s been such a huge help already, fixing tea and soup, fetching blankets, doing everything she can to make Kenzie comfortable. “I do want to thank you for everything you’ve done to help Kenzie, and for supporting me through it all.”
She shrugs. “I’m just glad we could bring her home safe.”
Home. The word surrounds me like a hot bath. No matter what happens next, I’m going to do whatever’s necessary to secure a safe, long-term living situation for us. Whether that’s with Cal or some other arrangement. Kenzie will never again have to sleep on a dirty floor, or drive off into the night with a psychopath. Cal has promised to take care of me, and I made a promise a long time ago to take care of us. I intend to keep that promise.
“Me, too.” I grab some cotton shorts, a tee shirt, and underwear. As I rifle through my bag, I realize I didn’t pack any extra footwear. “Actually, could I borrow a pair of sandals for Kenzie?”
“Sure thing,” Teagan says. She disappears for a minute, then returns with a pair of black flip-flops hooked over her fingers, and a stuffed bear under her arm. “Hopefully these will fit her. And I brought someone you can snuggle if you get scared. His name’s Barnie.”
I take the sandals and the adorable stuffed bear. “Thank you, Teagan. I know I’ve said it a hundred times today, but I really mean it.”
She pulls me into a hug. I touch my cheek to her shoulder, grateful for everything she and her family have done for us.
“I hope you’re planning on sticking around after things calm down,” she says. “Because I’d like us all to be friends when this is over.”