Masuk(RORY'S POV)I grabbed my phone and kept it away from her."That's because he's my bestie." I protested shyly. And then added. "And my boyfriend."Rosalie rolled her eyes but she was smiling. "You are so weird. But I love you anyway."I looked at the phone screen. Todd's message was simple.Bestie: I'm outside. Take your time.My heart fluttered. That was something he always said. Even while I felt nervous, he found a way to my heart.Always."He's here." I whispered.“I figured.” Rosalie said, arms folded. “So why do you still have that look on your face?”“What look?” I frowned.She rolled her eyes. “The I love him but I’m feeling too awkward look.” I groaned. “I’m trying to push it down.”My sister sighed tiredly. “Now let me ask you this, don’t you love Todd?” Her voice was soft and caring.“I really do.” I admitted sadly. “Then you have to try. For him. You have to do better.”I held her eyes and nodded. “I’ll try my best.” Rosalie stood up and pulled me to my feet. "Great! The
ONE WEEK AFTER MY KIDNAPPING. FIVE WEEKS AFTER THE WILLIAMS ARREST (RORY’S POV)“I don’t think I should wear this.” I said twisting at myself in the mirror.“I think you should.” Rosalie said barely glancing up from her phone. “It’s short.” I turning around and bending over.She sighed roughly and lowered her phone down to me.“You’ve had an excuse for every dress you’ve put on. What exactly is your problem?” She demanded and then crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you not want to go on this date with Todd anymore? I mean, you have ten minutes until he gets here so hurry up and telling him.”My stomach clenched with guilt. But I also glared at my sister because she was supposed to take my whining.“Of course I want to go. I just haven’t found the perfect dress.” I stalked back to the bed and sat down with a heave. Rosalie adjusted so that she was seated beside me, her hand aroind my shoulder.“I think you have found many perfect dresses but the main problem is you.”’she leaned e
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)The door swung open so hard that it hit the wall.Larry Davis was the first one inside.His eyes darted around the room in a panic. He saw Jason on the floor, bleeding. He saw Chad standing frozen near the doorway. He saw Amanda crying on the floor.Then he saw Todd holding Rory on the couch."Rory!" Larry shouted.He crossed the room in three long strides and dropped to his knees in front of her. His hands cupped her face, turning it side to side, checking for injuries."Dad." Rory's voice cracked. "Dad, I'm okay. I'm okay."Larry pulled her into his arms. He held her so tight that she could barely breathe. But she didn't care. She held him back just as tight."I thought I lost you." Larry whispered into her hair. His voice was breaking. "I thought I lost you too."Tia rushed in behind him. She went straight to Amanda, kneeling down and wrapping her arms around the crying girl."You're safe now." Tia said softly, rubbing Amanda's back. "You're safe. We're here."
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)Jason's finger was on the trigger.Rory's eyes were squeezed shut. Tears poured down her cheeks.Then the door crashed open."Jason!"Chad stood in the doorway, his face stern but his hands shaking. He was holding a pistol—his father's, the one he had picked up and followed Todd.He knew that he was not supposed to be here, that Todd won’t be happy but his gut told him to follow anyway bevause he was scared that Jason truly had something to go with Rory’s disappearance. Chad had seen Jason, the day he had gone to slip the letter in to the locker. Jason had been lingering about Rory’s locker that morning. But he had acted nonchalant just after. Jason spun around. "I’m going to have you you—"BANG. BANG. The shots had echoed through the room like thunder.Jason screamed and dropped to the floor. His leg buckled beneath him. Blood soaked through his jeans, dark and fast.His finger had jerked on the trigger too before Chad even.But his bullet was a little slower.
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)The living room was silent except for Amanda's quiet sobs.Jason stood by the window, the old gun still in his hand. His eyes kept darting between Todd and the door, like he was waiting for something. Or someone.Todd's mind was racing. He had counted the bullets earlier when Jason wasn't looking. Six. The gun was old, but it would still kill. He had to be careful."Jason." Todd said slowly. "Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't. You haven't crossed a line yet. You can still walk away from this."Jason laughed. It was a hollow sound. Empty."Walk away?" He shook his head. "There's nowhere to walk to, Todd. You showed up at my door. You found the necklace. You pushed and pushed until there was no way out." His voice got louder. "This is your fault!"Amanda flinched at his shout."Okay." Todd said, raising his hands slightly. "Okay. It's my fault. I'm sorry. Just... tell us where Rory is. Let us see that she's okay."Jason stared at him for a long moment. Then s
(THIRD PERSON'S POV)The drive to the police station felt like it took forever, even though it was only a few minutes from the roundabout.Larry's hands were still tight on the steering wheel. His knuckles were white. His jaw was clenched so hard that Tia could see the muscles jumping beneath his skin.She wanted to say something to calm him down. Something to make him feel better. But she couldn't find the words. Because she was scared too.The police station came into view. It was a large building with blue lights flashing above the entrance. Larry parked the car quickly, not bothering to find a proper spot. He just stopped and got out.Tia followed close behind him.They pushed through the glass doors and walked up to the front desk. A police officer sat behind the counter, looking bored. He was a large man with a tired face and coffee stains on his uniform."I need to report a missing person." Larry said, his voice sharp.The officer looked up at him slowly. "Someone is missing?"
(RORY'S POV)"Rory, what do you think?"I looked up at Nana's twinkling eyes, lit up with excitement and watched her face fall and turn into a pout as she realized that I had not been listening to her."I'm so sorry, Nana." I pleaded with a tired sigh. I had zoned out, my phone in my hand was my on
(RORY'S POV)"Goooo Wildcat!" Nana yelled shaking her pompoms.The sound was so loud that people around us turned to look. Nana didn't care. She never did at games. Her whole face was lit up, eyes fixed on the court even though the players hadn't come out yet."Nana!" Rosalie whined as she cleaned
(RORY'S POV)"Amanda, please say something." I begged when we had been quiet for too long.Amanda and I were together in the school's second gym where the cheerleaders held practice frequently. Today it was empty since there was no practice until after school today. So Amanda got us in, we sat toge
(RORY'S POV)"Why the hell are you looking at me like I grew a second head?” Leslie said coming closer.I could not speak, I could not move. I could feel everyone’s attention as it shifted to me. Rosalie stepped closer to me. I could feel her body tense up beside mine. She knew who Leslie was. Eve







