"I sure as hell am !"

Monty clasped his hands together looking at the food that had been spread around the table. On the table in front of you laid corn, potatoes, and sausage. Hoyt and Monty passed their plates to Luda, who gladly filled them with each item.

You waited patiently as She filled Thomas's plate and then your own. Thomas watched you as you looked down at the food. It looked good and smelled even better.

You took your fork and started eating. Thomas nodded to himself and also began eating. Once in a while they would all look up at you in a weird way. Maybe they were just a little weary of you. After all they had pretty much just kidnapped you.

"This is really good ma'am, thank you."

Luda looked up at you and smiled. She seemed to be really sincere about it too.

"Why thank you, dear. I'm glad you like it."

Hoyt nodded in agreement. You weren't lying at least. The sausage tasted a little different but you passed it by. 'It's probably just the seasoning...'

As you ate Hoyt looked at you then to Monty. You picked your head up to meet his eyes again. He squinted at you then started tapping his fingers against the table top.

"Say, when were you supposed to get to Austin?"

"I was supposed to be there by tomarrow."

"Well then, I think we need to let him know you won't make it, don't we?"

Hearing that your heart dropped to the floor and you had suddenly lost your appetite. 'They really are gonna keep me here...'

"What's the matter, girl? Thought I was joking or something?"

He was glaring at you now, but you didn't say anything. You just looked down at your plate.

"I think I should should personally call him right now. What's the number?"

"I don't know..."

That seemed to annoy Hoyt even more. He suddenly grabbed his knife and slammed it into the table. Luda reached over and laid her hand on his arm.

"Don't lie to me, girl! Now. What is it?"

"I said, I don't know. I have a book in my trunk...its in there..."

"Where?"

"Glove department..."

Hoyt looked over to Monty. Monty nodded and got up, leaving the room. Thomas watched carefully as you glared down at your lap. Monty came back in with a small black notebook. He handed it to Hoyt who opened it immediately.

He searched through the pages until he found the ones with all your phone numbers written in it. He ran his finger across the names until he found it. B/n L/n.

Hoyt nodded and stood up. He looked over to Thomas and jerked his head towards you. Thomas stood up and grabbed your arm bringing you to your feet. He then dragged you through the door behind Luda and into the kitchen.

You pulled back from Thomas but he grabbed both your arms at the elbows and held them down, walking you in front of him. As Hoyt reached a white phone hanging off the wall he looked to Thomas.

"Shut her up. We don't need him hearing her."

Thomas clamped one of his large, dirty hands over your mouth while wrapping the other arm around your chest as to hold you still. You growled and twisted your shoulders trying to get free from his grasp. No luck.

Hoyt dialed the number before leaning against the wall waiting for him to pick up. Finally, he did.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Is this B/n L/n?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"I'm sheriff Hoyt. I have some bad news, boy."

Your brother remained silent for a moment.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you have a sister by the name of Y/n L/n?"

"Yes. What happened?!?"

"I'm sorry to tell you this but she was in an accident."

"What?!?"

"Her truck was found in a ditch along the highway....you may want to sit down..."

"Why?!?"

"There's no easy way to put this but...she didn't make it..."

".....w-...what?..."

"She's gone. Thrown through the windshield...broken neck..."

Your heart started to break as you heard your brother take all the lies in. You could feel your eyes watering as Hoyt continued. Thomas wrapped his arms around you tighter as if he was trying to either stop you from moving or trying to comfort you.

"I'm sorry, son."

"...."

"Look. If there's anything I can d-"

"There's nothing you can do. This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so irresponsible and fucking stupid she wouldn't had to have come down here!"

"It's not your fault, boy. It was an accident. Nobody's to blame here."

"...I'm sorry but I have to go..."

His voice was all broken up. You could tell he was devastated. Tears rolled down your face as Hoyt hung up. He turned back to you with a solem look and he left. Thomas slowly uncovered your mouth but kept his arm around you.

He let go of you and grabbed your arm pulling you through the second door of the kitchen. It led back out into the hallway. He then took you up a staircase and into an upstairs bedroom.

It was very large and had dark oak furniture in it that consisted of a queen bed, dresser, nightstand, standing mirror and a rocking chair that sat in the corner of the room in front of a window. The room was oddly pretty yet old feeling.

"Is this your room?"

He shook his head and pointed to you.

"My room?"

He nodded and turned around to leave. As he turned away you walked over to the bed and sat down. He stopped, moments before opening the door he turned to look at her.

She sat on the edge of the bed staring at the floor, wiping tears out of her eyes. He right arm propped her head up as her hand intertwined with her hair. Her other hand covered her mouth.

Thomas knew there was something wrong but he had never kept someone alive before so he didn't really know what to do with her. He could only look at her and think. He contemplated this for a moment before making his decision.

*

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Btw, this is a short note any person who has read all the other chapters so far. I want to thank you for reading this book even though I'm a small writer and this book hasn't gotten very far yet. It means a lot to me to see that people are actually giving this book a try. So once again, thank you so much.