Page 27 of Doyle

His dad had never touched his bedroom, so the posters he hung in high school were still up.

Dinner with his dad was awkward because they didn't have much to talk about.

"That's normal," I reassured him. "It will take time for you to adjust, especially after being gone for five years."

"You're right," Michael said. "I'll try harder."

"Don't push yourself too much," I advised. "Healing takes time. Be patient with yourself."

"Thanks, Doyle," he said softly. "Talking to you helps more than you know."

"Anytime, Michael," I replied. "I'm always here for you."

There was a brief silence, and then Michael spoke again.

"I miss you already,” he said.

Those words sent a warmth through my chest.

"I miss you too," I admitted. "But we'll see each other soon. Take things one day at a time."

"Okay," he said, sounding a little more at ease. "I'll do that."

"Goodnight, Michael," I said.

"Goodnight, Doyle," he replied, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

As I ended the call and placed the phone back on the nightstand, I felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Michael was back in his old life, but he still needed me. And I needed him just as much.

For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had something to look forward to again.

CHAPTER EIGHT

MICHAEL

I wokeup on a soft carpeted floor. For a moment, I couldn't tell where I was.

It wasn’t the cold concrete floor of my cell or the comfort of Doyle’s bedroom.

Slowly, I sat up, looking uncomprehendingly at the posters of my old favorite rock bands on the walls. Right, this was my bedroom.

Last night, I tried sleeping on the bed, but I kept tossing and turning, wishing for Doyle's muscled and solid presence next to me.

In the end, I ended up sleeping on the floor—not that there was much sleep. I doubted the nightmares would go away soon either.

It was Liliana's sinister smile I kept picturing, her long nails on my skin, the other prisoners screaming in the background.

The screaming never seemed to stop.

Sighing, I stood up, stretching, and took in my new reality.

I reminded myself how thankful I was to no longer be living in a tiny cage, but to finally be back here, in my old house.

Wasn't this what I always dreamed of, the only thing I held onto while I was a captive?

So why did it feel like something... or someone was missing?

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