Page 74 of Lost Soul

“You know, Maddy, I got this amazing feeling that you’re gonna do wonderful things. Not just for Jessie but for the club too.”

“You’d do the same for me.” I shrug it off.

“Sure would, girl. It’s nice having someone around.” She smiles at me before heading inside her cabin.

The pot roasts are cooking nicely, and with no laptop to distract me I sit in front of the TV and watch some of the daytime crap that Hayley had gotten me into.

I don’t know how long I’ve been out for, but the sound of tires skidding out of the yard disturbs me from my sleep. I leap up and rush to the oven to check the dinner. The smell when I open the door at least gives me hope that I haven’t been out long enough to have ruined dinner for everyone. Thankfully it’s still looking good.

My cell vibrates in my pocket, and like a thirteen-year-old girl my stomach flips when I see Jessie’s name flash up on the screen. I swipe to answer it, pressing the phone between my ear and my shoulder while I place the pots back inside the oven.

“Hey, darlin’,” Jessie's voice soothes through the speaker.

“Hey.” I smile to myself, loving his voice when it’s soft.

“Whatcha doin’?” he asks.

“Just made us something for later,” I tell him, swinging the oven door shut with my foot.

“Mmmmm, you know I could get used to this,” he tells me.

“How's it going down there?” I ask, hoping they’ve managed to get things clear.

“No sign of the feds but we’re ready for them. Skid’s just called, he’s made the drop and he’s on his way back.”

“That’s good.” I’m relieved that they’ve managed to get everything done in time.

“I’m just sorting a few things out then I’ll be home. Skid tried calling Carly, you mind popping your head around and telling her he’ll be a little late tonight?”

“Sure, she’s probably in the shower. I’ll drop in and tell her now,” I say, about to hang up.

“Hey…” he stops me before I do. “Anyone tell you today that you’re amazing?” he asks, his voice sounding sexy as hell.

“No, but you can tell me when you get home as many times as you like,” I try to sound sexy back, but, I’m pretty sure I fail at it.

“Sure thing baby, be seeing you in a little while.”

“Get off the phone before you grow a fucking pussy,” a voice shouts out from the background I already recognize as Squealer’s.

“Bye Jess.” I hang up the phone. Then, quickly jump in the shower, giving the pot roast the extra twenty minutes it needs before I take it to Carly.

I’m careful as I walk across the yard holding the handles of the boiling pot with a tea towel, and I have to use my elbow to push down the doorhandle when Carly doesn’t answer the door. I figure I’m past the stage of knocking on Carly and Skid’s door now, there’s not a day since I’ve arrived that I haven’t spent time in their cozy home.

“Only me,” I call through the house, kicking the door shut behind me. I scan the room, but there’s no sign of her. The heat of the pot is starting to burn through the towel, and I quickly head towards the kitchen table so I can place it down. My eyes catch something sticking out from the other side of the sofa, something that when my brain registers what it is makes me lose the function of my hands.

I ignore the loud crack the pot makes as it hits the floor and the boiling splatters that scold the bottom of my legs. The sight of Carly’s arm lying awkwardly across the floor tells me something is very wrong, I rush towards her. My body prevents me from taking any more steps when I get close enough to see her face. Her skin is completely drained of color, lifeless eyes strained red and etched with terror.

I open my mouth to scream but nothing comes out, I’m choking, completely paralyzed by shock, sadness, and fear. This can’t be happening, not again. I look away, unable to handle the sight for another second. That vacant look blazing deeper and settling into my memories with every passing second. Suddenly, like my feet have been released from the sinking grip holding them, they finally move, and I run…

I bang on every cabin door hoping someone will answer. This has to be the Bastards. Have they come for me? Are they still here? Part of me wishes they are and they would just take me. No pain can be worse than this. I would go with them freely if it meant they’d stop taking the people I care about.

Nobody answers as I continued to pound on the doors, my sobs and pleas for help getting fainter and fainter. I can’t leave her all alone up here, but I need help. I rush back inside Jessie’s cabin and grab my cell from the table, my hands fumbling as I try to scroll to my last caller. Hitting call, I wait as it rings once, twice.

“Hey,” he answers with a beautiful ignorance to his tone. I try to speak, but all I can manage are muffles and sobs as I slide my back against one of the kitchen units and settle in a heap on the floor “Maddy!” Jessie’s voice switches to worry.

“Maddy, you okay?” Still nothing comes out of my mouth. “Fuck, Mads, what is it? Speak to me… I’m coming up.” The phone goes dead, and my hand automatically drops it to the floor. I wait for a sound, any sign that he’s coming. I need him and that safety that always comes with him.

I can’t close my eyes, if I do all I’ll see is Carly’s face, and I start to panic when already I can’t remember how she looked when she had color in her cheeks, or when she smiled…

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