Page 9 of Entwined IN YOU (IN YOU 2)

“Aisha didn’t see her either.” Panicking, she starts to cry as I hear her run around, calling for my angel.

I put them on hold and raise my father’s cell to my ear. “Leif, where is she?”

“Logan, what if she’s in the lake, what if she…”

Vast fear rocks my soul, evaporating the alcohol I consumed. I am mad with worry.

“Dad, go faster, please! Do you hear me? Faster, Dad!” I turn my attention back to my brother. “Leif, you need to look, she must be there somewhere! Check the woods around the lake.” The lump in my throat makes it hard to talk.

Before I can go into panic mode, Lucas grabs me and turns me around to face him. “Don’t. We’ll arrive soon and go look for her. You understand me, brother? She’s fine, we just need to find where she is.” His voice, so convincing and calm, subdues my panic, and logic takes over.

Lucas grabs the phone and speaks to Leif, trying to direct the search, and I bring the other phone to my ear again. “Raine, are you there?” I hear her sobbing. “Try to check the woods for any sign of her, as she might have walked away from the lake. Take the opposite way as Leif. Tell Aisha that you need to remain calm. We will be there in five.” I hang up on her, my heart pounding as I willed my body into action.

We arrive shortly and before Dad stops the car, I jump out and run into the house. I pass through the kitchen, headed straight for the lake. I pray she is ok. I dial Leif as I see Lucas and my dad going in the opposite direction.

“Logan, I found her. She’s in a trance, still unresponsive.”

“Where do I go?”

“Go past the lake and then turn in the direction of the road leading to the horse farm. I’m heading up with my flashlight to try to show you where we are.”

“Don’t hang up! I’m on my way!” After a pause, I ask, “How is she?”

“She is lying down on the ground in a protective ball near the tree. You need to see to understand, her eyes are dilated. Do you see the light, we are further down the wooded area.”

“No, damn it!”

“Let me come to you.”

“No! Stay! Don’t leave her.” My heart beats in my throat, afraid she might slip away while he’s gone, and we find her dead somewhere.

“Ok, man. Calm down. I can carry her.”

“Be careful.” A few minutes later, after what seems like hours, I catch a glimpse of him. Cassandra is in his arms. I run to grab her from him, and I clutch her to my chest, my lips pressing against her temple, just to feel her pulse.

“Call Lucas, tell him that we found her.”

Before we reach the door, everyone circles us to check on her.

“Cassandra, can you hear me?” I try to bring her back. From upstairs, we hear the twins crying. Aisha and my dad go to settle them down while my brothers and Raine stay behind to help me.

“Let’s bring her inside, she’s freezing,” Leif suggests.

Lucas grabs her into his arms and takes her inside, depositing her gently on the couch. Raine brings a cover to warm her up, speaking in a gentle voice, trying to coax her back. I am shaking with adrenaline and fear as Leif leads me inside.

“Brother”—Lucas’ concerned gaze meets mine—“tell me again about her trauma.”

“Why? What kind of difference does it make?” Leif’s annoyed voice answers, but his concern is directed at the woman he was torturing for kicks.

I hear Aisha call out from upstairs. “Raine? Could you come and help? We need you!”

As Raine disappears, we notice Cassandra has started to shake. I draw her close to me, rubbing her body that appears stiff with tension.

“Logan, was she in that car accident?”

I shake my head, telling him, “No she was informed by police a few hours later. She was at home.”

“Strange.”

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