Page 6 of Trapped: Between Sky And Wind

I tap the phone and read the first message.

Lou! Everything okay? I’m feeling weird about what we’re doing. Let me know if everything is okay!

A little later: Lou, get in touch as soon as you read this!

And a little later: Lou, I’m really worried now! Why aren’t you getting back to me? Get in touch!

And then only: Lou, damn it! Do I have to follow you or call the police? Text me or better yet, give me a call!

Call the police? Why would Jay call the cops? I sit and stare at the display. The fact that even he is now having second thoughts thickens the knot in my stomach. On the other hand, he only knows Bren from my stories and from the brief encounter at the visitor center. It’s only logical that he’s worried.

I recall Bren’s words. If I were one of your brothers, I would want to hunt down and hurt the guy who did this to you.

I automatically picture Jayden challenging Bren for a fight. That would be outright suicide. Even though Bren hasn’t fought underground battles in a long time, he’d still outdo my dreamy-eyed writer brother. Besides, next to Liam, Jay is one of the most peace-loving people I know. But…do I really know him that well? A year ago, would I have believed he would drive me here?

I glance at the messages. With Jay, you never know what’s going on in his mind. Everything seems to disappear within him and later emerges as a story. Like he’s chopping up reality in his head and reshaping it into something he likes better! Just like spinach.

I’m fine! I type. Do not worry. I don’t want to call him because I’m afraid I’ll hear his voice and get homesick.

My cell phone beeps. Where are you? I feel terrible. Did he stop at a motel and was waiting for a message from me?

For a moment, I consider my reply but decide on the truth. After all, he knows where we are headed.

We haven’t even reached Fresno yet. Everything’s okay, Jayden! Bren is not a monster!

If I thought that, I wouldn’t have driven you to him, little sis! I still feel weird though. How about a code word?

A code word?

If there’s trouble!

There won’t be any trouble!

It would make me feel better! I’m risking everything for you, Lou!

Everything. I glance out into the forest, but it’s too dark. I can’t see Bren anywhere and can’t help but agree with Jayden. I’ve already asked too much of him. He probably needs some reassurance to sleep soundly. The truth is I told him everything eventually. Every detail, from the box to the chains, and Brendan’s attacks. I had to do it so he could see how much Brendan has changed.

Alright, a code word, I type. But only because it’s you!

You cannot text it to me now, everyone will see it.

Everyone is probably Bren! Okay.

The code word is our father’s first name.

Understood! I’m off now, Jayden!

I put the phone back in my pocket. I briefly consider deleting the chats so Bren doesn’t see the code word, but I don’t. Why would he even look at my phone?

I get up and go to the back to unpack my bag. It’s still weird, walking down that aisle. It’s even more oppressive without Bren. It’s strange because, after all, it was Bren who kept me captive here. It’s not the fault of the Travel America RV nor its lettering.

I place my duffle bag on the double bed. At home, I carelessly stuffed the entire contents of my closet into it, so now everything is wrinkled without exception. Ethan always scolds me for being too messy. I push the thought aside and tell myself that Ethan won’t play a role in my life anymore—after all, I’ll soon be eighteen and he won’t be able to direct my life.

Did Bren end up keeping the clothes he had bought for me?

I know the answer even before I open the closet door. Of course, he wouldn’t have thrown them away! He could never bring himself to do that. These things remind him of me, I wore them. I wonder what he would have done with them had I not come? What would he have done in general if I hadn’t shown up?

At the sight of the neatly stacked blouses and pants, my heart suddenly beats faster. Would he have come looking for me? Would he have come to Ash Springs? With my fingertips, I touch the coral-red blouse, the hem of the crocheted shorts peeking out from underneath, and the white trumpet sleeves of the top I’m wearing today.

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