Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  The only place they can’t touch me anymore.

  Levi is waiting for me there.

  I have no idea how long I’ve been here. It could be hours, could be weeks. Since the last beating, they’ve left me alone. My mouth is completely dry and my stomach aches, growling and in pain. I keep praying that they’ll just let me go, but I know there’s no chance of that. They’re probably just waiting for my body to heal so they can try to rape me again.

  I open my eyes, my vision blurring as I look around the room for some sort of escape. But there is none. As carefully as I can manage, I stand on shaky legs, body crying out in agony. My teeth shake with my pain and anguish, and I force myself to take step after step. It takes me forever but I finally get to the stairs Mark dragged me up.

  Each step hurts, my breath coming in ragged pants. I’m light-headed and bordering on passing out. It hurts to breathe, hurts to move, and I fear that I won’t make it. But with every searing rip of pain, I think of Levi. I think of Lily.

  I need to get out.

  I need to survive.

  Finally, I make it to the top step, hands shaking as I reach for the doorknob. I fight back sobs of relief when it opens. Those assholes made me think I was locked up, when really I was free to get out. In the back of my mind, I should know this is a trap, but the desperate part of me ignores it, shoving the door open.

  Wrong move.

  “Well, look who’s awake. Hello there, Emerson. Ready to get started?”

  “Let me go,” I force out, voice cracking and weak.

  “I don’t think so. Come sit on my lap.” Mark pats his legs, laughing when another man waltzes into the room. It’s the one I punched.

  “No.”

  He reaches for me and I stumble back. Grabbing me by the upper arm, he yanks me to him, brushing my hair off my face.

  “This time I’m gonna get what I want. And what I want is to fuck this perfect mouth for as long as I want. Got it?”

  I shake my head and he grabs my face, pinching my cheeks.

  “I fucking said got it?”

  Oh, Levi. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.

  As carefully as I can manage, I nod, tears falling down my cheeks. He grins at me and my stomach lurches. Before I can stop it, I vomit all over him, crying with the pain.

  “What the fuck?” he shouts.

  “Please, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  “Someone hasn’t fucking learned yet.” Grabbing my hair, he yanks me back over to the stairs, dragging me halfway down them. I fight him the whole way, not wanting to be back down there, but he shoves me the rest of the way. Falling to the hard ground, I cry out when my head hits, stars crashing across my vision. I hold up a hand, trying to stop him, but everything goes quiet. I don’t want to go back to the darkness, because this time I’m scared I won’t leave it.

  I don’t want to die. Not like this.

  19

  LEVI

  Three days.

  Emmy has been gone for three days. We’ve sat vigil day and night at my parents’ house, waiting for any news. Detective Warren, the lead on the case, just called me ten minutes ago to let me know they finally have something and he’ll be here soon. Lily is playing a board game with my parents, and Emmy’s parents are due any time now.

  I called Elliott and Callie right after telling my parents, and they immediately raced over to the house. They took one look at me and Callie started sobbing, hugging me tightly. I kept apologizing over and over but they stopped me, saying it wasn’t my fault.

  But that’s not true. It is my fault.

  I should have been home. I could have done something. I hate feeling so helpless. I’m staying in my old bedroom and Lily has been sleeping with me, her tiny frame curled up to me every night. She won’t leave my side unless she’s with my brother or mom.

  Sydney came rushing over after Em’s parents got here. She’s been my rock, sitting with me through countless interviews, holding my hand when the detectives told us they had no leads.

  It’s been hell. Completely. I hope whatever news Warren has for us is actual news, not the promise that they’re trying. I’m wrung out and don’t know how much more I can take. They’ve cleared my house, so technically we can go back, but I just can’t. She may not have moved in all her stuff, but that was Emmy’s home too. Our home. And I can’t go back without her. It doesn’t feel right.

  The sound of the doorbell ringing a few minutes later has me standing up and moving to open the front door. Expecting to find Callie and Elliot, what I find has my jaw dropping.

  Dana. Filthy and looking completely strung out.

  What the actual fuck?

  “Levi,” she begins, wringing her hands together.

  I step onto the porch and close the door behind me.

  “What are you doing here? After all this time?”

  “I heard about your girlfriend and I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I fucked up, Levi, letting you and Lily go. I shouldn’t have—”

  “Excuse me? You fucked up? You’re sorry? My girlfriend? What the fuck, Dana? How do you even know about Emmy?”

  “Please, Levi. I just… I need some money. I haven’t had a hit in hours and I’m dying.”

  “So you came to me? The man who has raised our child alone after you abandoned her? Yeah, smart fucking decision.”

  I advance on her and she shrinks back. She’s taller than Emmy by a good four inches, but she somehow looks smaller now that she’s in front of me. I can see fresh track marks on both her arms, and I’m sickened by it. Grabbing her upper arm, I twist her around so her back is against the house. Leaning down, I’m in her face and I see a flash of fear come over her.

  “You want money? You need to shoot up that fucking badly?”

  Frantically, she nods, her entire body shaking.

  “Then you’re gonna fucking tell me why you’re talking about Emmy. Do you understand me?”

  Nodding, she opens her mouth, but before she can get another word out, Detective Warren’s car come pulling into the driveway. Jumping from his car, he jogs over to me.

  “Levi, we need to talk.”

  “Gotta wait, Detective. My ex-girlfriend was just telling me some interesting things.”

  “Levi….”

  “No, she needs to finish talking.” I turn back to Dana and she’s shaking uncontrollably, eyes still distant. “Tell me,” I roar, back in her face.

  “I need—”

  “You either need to tell me what you know or get the fuck outta here. Now.”

  “Fine, asshole. Then I hope she gets what she deserves.”

  I go still, and my heart begins to race.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I watch the blood drain from her face and realization dawns on her that she just said too much. “Tell me now.”

  “Okay, Levi. I need you to go inside. I’ll take care of this.” Warren has stepped up to my side and places his hand on my shoulder to calm me down.

  “She said she hopes Emmy gets what she deserves. I want to know why!”

  I turn back to Dana, but she’s sunk down to the floor of the porch, shivering and coughing.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Warren asks.

  “She’s detoxing. Came here for money and said she needed more drugs.”

  “Levi, listen to me. We found some surveillance tapes that caught the vehicle they took Emerson in. We’ve been able to track it to a warehouse a few towns over. I think we’re close to finding her.”

  “She fucking knows something, Warren. I just know it.”

  “And that’s why I’m taking her in.” He pulls his cuffs from his belt and bends down to place them on Dana’s wrists. She doesn’t fight him, and he’s able to maneuver her to his car. I start to follow but he turns and stops me. “You’re staying here, Levi. Whether she knows shit or not, you aren’t coming.”

  “Fuck that.”

  “Jackson, get your ass back inside and let me do my damn job. You hear?”

/>   “Jesus Christ,” I groan, then spin on my heel and head back inside. I start pacing in circles, and my dad comes over to see what’s going on.

  “Son, what is it?”

  “Dana fucking knows something, Dad. She said she hopes Emmy gets what she deserves. What the hell could that mean?”

  “I have no idea. That girl has always been trouble. Let the police do their job.”

  “I can’t lose her, Dad. I love her too much.” My voice is hoarse with emotion that I refuse to let free. I need to be strong. Lily needs me, and Emmy needs me to hold it together so she can come home.

  “Levi, you won’t lose her. Have faith, son. She’s going to be fine.”

  Nodding, I pinch the bridge of my nose to stifle my tears. Before I can protest, Dad has me in a tight hug, one hand cupping the back of my head. Closing my eyes, I grasp the back of his shirt and bury my face in his shoulder.

  “I need her so bad,” I mumble into his shoulder.

  “We do too, Levi.”

  I let a few tears soak into Dad’s shirt and then I pull away roughly, swiping the back of my hand over my eyes, embarrassed at my display.

  “Don’t be sorry,” Dad says, knowing what I’m about to do.

  “Love you,” I say gruffly, holding out a hand.

  “I love you too, Levi. I’m proud of you. I never say it enough, but I want you to know that. The way you stood by Lily, and the incredible person you’re helping her become. You’ve been a part of this investigation, doing everything you can to help find Emerson, and have never wavered. I’m so proud of you, son.”

  Gripping my hand one last time, Dad lets go and walks back to the living room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears in silence. Striding into the kitchen, I start another pot of coffee and look out the window to the backyard.

  “Hold on just a little longer, baby. We’re gonna find you, Em,” I whisper to myself, wishing there was a way to get that message to her.

  Just hold on for me.

  Mom ordered pizza for dinner a couple hours ago, and after forcing a few slices down, I excused myself to take a shower. Standing under the hot water, I hang my head. Bracing my hands against the cold tiles, I allow myself a moment to fall apart. Warren gave us more news after returning a few hours later: they found the car Emmy was in, and the trunk had blood all over it. Not enough to confirm if she’s dead, but enough that they’re concerned they could be looking for a body now, not a person.

  Leaning against the tiles, my arms can no longer support me. I can’t stop the tears or the brutal sobs falling out of me. For the first time since she was taken, I’m afraid that she’s dead. I’m so fucking scared, and until they find something else, I won’t know.

  They’ve had Dana in an interrogation room since she was hauled in, and from what Warren said, she is involved in all of this. They’re even saying that they believe the attempted abduction on Lily could be connected. It’s a total nightmare, and I just want to wake up from it. I want to wake up in my own bed, with Emmy in my arms. But I can’t, and I don’t know if I ever will again.

  Forcing myself to calm down, my tears slow and I turn to face the water. Grabbing the bar of soap, I scrub myself clean as fast as I can. When I’m done, I step from the shower and wrap a towel around my waist.

  Ten minutes later, I’m walking downstairs in a pair of sleep pants and a sweatshirt. My parents, my siblings, and Emmy’s parents are sitting in the living room, a pot of coffee on the small table in the middle.

  “Where is Lily?” I ask, reaching for an empty mug and pouring coffee into it.

  “Sleeping, honey. We put her up in Cade’s room. She was exhausted.”

  Nodding, I glance over at the clock and see it’s only six at night.

  “Thanks, Momma.” Sitting between my brother and sister, I let out a sigh.

  “Oh, Levi,” Sydney whispers, leaning her head onto my shoulder. Turning, I place a kiss to her forehead.

  Caden grips my shoulder, and when I expect him to let go, he doesn’t. Taking a sip of coffee, I look over at Callie, who’s asleep with her head on Elliott’s shoulder. Biting my bottom lip, I place the cup of coffee back down and stand up.

  “I’m gonna head to bed, okay? Sorry, I just… I can’t right now.”

  Walking past everyone, I rush upstairs to the bed in my room. Lying down, I roll to my side and curl up, much like when I was a kid with a stomachache. Everything hurts, but mostly my heart. It’s shattering into pieces and I can’t stop it.

  “Levi!”

  Jolting upright in bed, I see it’s still dark out; my bedside clock shows it’s three in the morning. Lily is asleep next to me. She must have crawled in after I fell asleep. Shaking my head, I stumble from the bed and practically fall down the stairs to where my mom is yelling for me.

  When I rush into the kitchen, all the lights are on and both my parents and Emmy’s parents are standing around the room, my dad clutching his phone tightly. I take in their faces, and when I see Callie crying into Elliot’s chest, my own emotions bubble to the surface and I almost drop to my knees. Mom comes to me quickly when she sees the breakdown about to happen and reaches up to grab my face. Staring into her tear-filled eyes, I brace myself for her words. But I’m wrong, and as soon as she finishes speaking, I have to tell myself to remember to breathe.

  “They found her, sweetheart. They have Emerson, Levi.”

  “Momma?”

  “Come here, baby. It’s okay. It’s all gonna be okay.”

  Mom pulls me down into her arms, my arms are around her so tight I must be hurting her, but I don’t care. Someone’s arms wrap around me from behind and I can sense it’s Callie.

  Our three days of pain, grief, and fear are over. I have no clue what my girl has been through, but I don’t care. She could be in pieces and I would still see to it that she’s put back together. As long as we’re both breathing, I’ll ensure she makes it through this.

  20

  EMERSON

  Boom!

  Slam!

  I struggle to open my eyes, loud bangs and screaming waking me up. I’m back on the cot, tied down once more. I don’t even remember anything after getting up the stairs. Gunshots ring out and I begin to shake, terrified that they’re coming for me. I can’t make out anything beyond the loud noises. Voices are warbled, and I haven’t the faintest idea who they even belong to.

  Turning my head, I find the stairs and seconds later a crash sounds, followed by light streaming into the room. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pray that this time they just kill me. I can’t take much more, my entire body littered in bruises and blood.

  “Emerson Reese?”

  My eyes creak back open, and I swear I must be hallucinating. A man wearing a black vest with the word SWAT on the front is standing before me, a large gun in his hands.

  “Ms. Reese, my name is Daniel, and you’re going to be okay. You’re safe now, ma’am.”

  Tears begin to fall down my cheeks when I realize this isn’t a dream. They found me. As carefully as he can manage, he begins to untie my wrists and ankles. When my hands are free, he grabs for the walkie on his vest.

  “We need an ambo down here now. I’m with the victim and she’s alive.” Turning back to my ankles, he gets me completely free and looks around the room. Shivering, I try to sit up but he stops me, being as careful with me as he can.

  “Ms. Reese, you need to stay still. They’ll be down in just a moment to check on you.”

  “Please,” I whisper, starting to feel tired as I reach for his hand. When he realizes what I’m doing, he grabs my hand, squeezing gently.

  “Tell him I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Tell who?”

  “Levi, my boyfriend. Tell him I’m sorry and that I love him,” I force out, my lips dry and raw, the taste of tangy blood in my mouth.

  “Just wait a little longer and you can tell him yourself.”

  But he’s fading, my eyes closing again. I register him trying to keep me awake, but it�
��s no use. I can’t hang on any longer. I did my best, and I fought as long as I could, but I can’t anymore.

  When everything goes dark, I’m assaulted with the most beautiful memories one could have. Levi and Lily laughing. Our first date. Making love. Our life together.

  All the beautiful things that I didn’t cherish enough. That I took for granted.

  “Ms. Reese, can you hear me?”

  Loud sirens are shrieking, and I look up into the gentle face of a young woman wearing a paramedics jacket.

  “I died,” I mumble, looking around in confusion.

  “No, I believe you just passed out. Can you tell me how many fingers I’m holding up?”

  She lifts four fingers, I tell her as much, and she smiles.

  “That’s good. We’re on our way to the hospital, and they’ll take good care of you.”

  Nodding, I close my eyes, exhausted and hurting but so grateful.

  “Did… did they find him?” I ask.

  “I’m not sure, honey. We just got you out of there as quickly as possible. I’m sure the police will be checking on you soon enough. I’m gonna give you something for the pain, so just close your eyes and rest.”

  Doing as she says, I feel myself drifting off again. I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I know one thing for sure. I survived. And I’ll be with Levi soon.

  Thank God.

  I did it.

  21

  LEVI

  Warren has spent the past hour telling us everything. Dana broke down and confessed, knowing she had no other choice. They offered her a deal if she talked, and for once in her sorry life, other than giving up Lily, she did the right thing.

  Dana owed her dealer ten grand. She came up with this elaborate scheme that Mark, the guy behind this whole thing, could have Lily in place of the money. She sold our daughter for drugs. Tried to, anyway. Mark was one of the guys who orchestrated the attempted kidnapping of Lily last month. When Emmy got in the way, he saw her as the next best thing.