Page 72 of Crash and Burn
“You doin’ okay,” Ratchet asks.
“As okay as I can be,” I tell him honestly. I’ve been trying not to think too much about what we’re heading into. Usually, shit like this doesn’t even phase me. I’m always up for going after anyone who fucks with the Savage Menaces. But this is different. We’re going after a man who is holding my Ol’ Lady prisoner for only God knows why. “I can’t help but feel like I failed her.”
“I can understand that. We didn’t truly know who we were up against or what they were capable of,” Ratchet says. “We’re gonna get her back and we’ll make that asshole pay.”
Two hours later, we have our vehicles packed and we’re headed to New Mexico. We have six vehicles in total with four of us riding in each one. We’re staying in pairs so we can stay inconspicuous.
When we get to New Mexico, we’ll be staying at Finn and Lochlan’s house. It’s one of the many they have across the United States and it’s a fairly big house. They help save women who have been kidnapped and thrown into the human trafficking rings. They’re currently somewhere on the East Coast, so the house we’ll be staying at is empty.
The drive is long and uneventful. I try to sleep to help pass the time but my mind is running a million miles an hour. I should have done a better job protecting her. If I wouldn’t have let her out of my sight, this wouldn’t have happened. Everyone keeps trying to tell me this isn’t my fault, but I can’t help feeling like it is. I let my guard down. Just because we were at a safe house didn’t mean we were one hundred percent safe. I should have remembered that.
We get to Finn and Lochlan’s close to one in the morning. We get our bags unloaded and meet in the living room.
“Everyone find a place to sleep and get some rest. Our best bet will be to hit at night. We’ll reconvene in the morning and iron out the details,” Prez announces.
I don’t bother finding a room, choosing to crash on the couch instead. I already know I won’t get much, if any, sleep tonight. I’m too wound up and worried about Marley. I sit on the couch and kick my shoes off.
“You’re not gonna find a bed to sleep in,” Ratchet asks.
“Nah, I’ll only end up tossing and turning all night. I’m better off here,” I tell him.
“Have it your way. See ya in the mornin’.” He walks away. I lay there staring at the ceiling for what seems like hours before I’m dozing off.
