Maya

The next morning, after renting a shower stall in the campground, we head back onto the interstate. My stomach is still turning while I pick at my muffin. Hudson's turned the radio on, and I've got my window open. The breeze feels amazing, helping to lift my spirits, but it feels too early to start thinking I'm in the clear. I believe every rundown truck we pass is them, but as we roll past, most of the time, it's a couple or an older man driving.

The traffic has picked up by the afternoon, but we're getting close to Lake City. I've never been outside of Ashford, and how Hudson describes the giant glass buildings and the fantastic ocean view excites me.

"Are we almost there?" I ask as we drive past a green sign saying we're 15 miles out.

"Yeah, angel." Hudson glances over at me with a smile, and my stomach does little flips. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to him smiling at me like that. Like he might love me. "We'll stop by the warehouse, and then we can cab into the city."

Another hour goes by, and I'm getting impatient as we round the top of the mountain. We've been climbing in elevation for a while now—my heart skitters as we come around the bend. Below I can see a massive, sprawling city with lights, tall buildings, and lots of houses dotted all over the place.

"Oh my, it's beautiful!" I can't help but look past all the buildings and stare at the marina. There are docks full of boats and cruise liners ready to set sail. We're not close enough to smell the salty water, but I remember it from yesterday. Still fresh in my mind like clean laundry.

"It sure is." Hudson chuckles.

We spend maybe another half an hour driving to the warehouse. When we arrived, some men came quickly and unloaded the rig. After Hudson finishes signing some papers on a clipboard and hands it back to the worker, I fling my door open. Hudson jogs over, grinning as I throw myself into his arms. I think I've found a passion for the dramatics after meeting my man. He catches me easily like I knew he would.

"Ready to go, angel?"

"More than ready!" I wiggle to get down, and Hudson laughs.

"I can see that." He says after letting me down. "Let's go."

He takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers together. I look down at them for a moment, taken by surprise. Hudson squeezes my hand, and I look up. He's smiling down at me. I nod my head, and we make our way to the large metal fence.

"Hey!" Someone shouts behind us. Hudson pauses and looks back. The guy is pointing at his clipboard.

"They must've forgotten a sheet they need me to sign."

"Okay, I'll wait here."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, you'll only be a minute."

Hudson leans down and kisses me. My cheeks heat because I know the warehouse worker is looking our way. "Be right back."

I nod shyly and watch as he jogs away. Feeling embarrassed, I walk over to the fence and walk around to the other side. I lean against the wire and try to calm my heart.

"You putting it out for some old guy?" The voice causes me to freeze up as the malice in his tone scorns me. "I guess I was right. You have turned into a horny girl ready to be taken."

I turn my head slowly; Nick walks up onto the sidewalk. I can see his truck parked down the road. The other two are nowhere in sight.

"N-no," I try to summon more words, but the hatred leaking out of his eyes makes me petrified.

"What was that?" Nick looms over me, his hair is greasy, and his eyes are bloodshot like he's been up for days.

"I-I said leave me alone...." The words trail away as he slaps me hard across the cheek.

"Bitch, just because you're shagging some old dude doesn't mean you can disrespect me." He grabs hold of my wrist and starts pulling me away.

Haunted images of Nick locking me in the barn cellar after I'd tried to stand up for myself force their way in. A lifetime of pain doesn't go away after a couple of days, but Hudson's kindness and love push it's way through. Making me believe that he'll protect me and keep me safe.

"Hudson!" I turn and scream. I can see him down by the rig. He doesn't turn, so I try yelling again as I dig my feet into the ground.

"Shut up!" Nick tightens his hand on my wrist, and I feel the bones grinding together as he pulls me harder.

"No! I don't want to go with you!" Hot tears blur my sight, and I try to focus on getting away from Nick.

We're almost to his truck when I hear Hudson shouting my name.

"Get in the fucking truck!" Nick turns and slaps me again. I crumple to the ground, he yanks on my arm, trying to get me to stand up, but I sit there like a rock. "You fucking bitch, you're making this only harder on yourself when we get back."

"Hey, let her go!" Hudson's racing towards us, but Nick has the foresight to lift me up and start shoving me into his truck. I kick my legs wildly, hoping I might hit him where it hurts, but he evades my swings and closes the door on me.

The heavy stench of sweat and alcohol permeates the hot truck. I sit up and stare out the truck window. ___ and ___ are walking back to the truck blocking the other door. I want to give up and cry, but I push open the back window.

"Hudson, help me!"

He's made it to the other side of the road, but he stops. My heart slams against my chest. Is he going to give up and let them take me? I can see he's unsure how to approach them, but luck would have it that a police car pulls onto the block.