Blood is Thicker Than Water

Chapter Nine

Luke and I pulled up at the creek and dismounted, the rushing water settling my frayed nerves. I could feel my tense muscles loosening with each ripple of the small stream. I cast a glance toward my cousin, his eyes scanning the woods nearby. The simple gesture reminded me of the gravity of this situation.

Sex traffickers wanted me as their personal plaything.

I knew Luke didn't like to think of the danger we were in--especially me--but it was unavoidable. These men wanted to hurt me in the worst way imaginable, and they would kill Luke if he got in the way of that.

I just couldn't let that happen.

"Kay?"

Luke's voice lured me from my thoughts. I turned to look into his piercing brown eyes. "Yeah?"

"Do you think she's okay?" His usually loud, confident voice was barely a whisper. I felt a flicker of compassion surge through my veins.

"I don't know, Luke. But I really, really hope so."

He edged closer to me and slung his arm around my neck. I leaned into him and closed my eyes. "If only I could trade places with her..."

His grip instinctively tightened. "Don't you dare say that, girl. You're just as important as Ella, and if you were in her position, I'd probably be curled in a fetal position right now. Don't even think we don't need you, Kay. Because we do. I do."

Tears sprang to my eyes as I leaned against my cousin, feeling his hand rub soothing circles on my upper back. A sigh slipped from my lips. Although I knew the kind of danger I was in, what I would be forced to live through if the traffickers succeeded in their mission, I don't know. At the moment, I just...I felt safe. And I knew Luke felt the same way.

That is, until the sound of a stick breaking ripped through the peaceful atmosphere.

In an instant, Luke went from heartbroken teenage boy to my self-appointed protector. He pulled away from me and gripped my forearm with a shaking hand, tight. I winced, but the light pain faded into the background as another stick broke--this time closer.

"Kay?" Luke's voice was barely audible, his lips barely moved as he stared straight ahead. "Kay, someone's coming."

"I know." I replied, adrenaline pumping through my reins.  

"That doesn't sound like some kid, and it sure as heck isn't some animal. Does your parents let anyone besides us back here?"

I shook my head.

His skin paled as his grip on my arm turned white, but I knew better than to whimper. We had to stay quiet if we expected to make it out of this alive.  No excuses. I gritted my teeth and silently placed my hand on his, trying to convey my message quietly. He must have got the memo, because while his grip was still tight, I felt some of the pressure ease up.

"Luke," I murmered softly. "we need to get across the creek. If we can make it to the property line, Mr. Bell's house is only a couple hundred feet away. That's our best chance." Our only chance, if I was being honest.

Luke nodded, his hold shifting to my hand. "Okay, Kay. Just stay in front of me, I'll try to shield you as best I can."

"No. We go side by side, or not at all. I'm not going a single step ahead of you."

He gritted his teeth. "Go, Kay. Right now."

"No."

He was about to reply when another piece of wood cracked... this time accompanied by a male shouting curse words. Panic flashed across his face. Realizing I wasn't going to leave him to fend for himself, Luke stepped into the creek and pulled me in after him, the cold water instantly soaking through my Durango boots.

We darted across the creek as quickly as we could, my heart pounding in my chest. I fought the urge to run from the danger with reckless abandon and reined in my fear. A quick glance at my cousin displayed a replica of my own emotions.

The moment we were far enough away to avoid drawing attention, we broke into a run, the dead leaves and twigs crunching beneath our feet like  decaying bones. Luke was fast, and I struggled to keep up. But unwilling to be outdone or slow him down, I managed to lengthen my leaps and match him stride for stride, my breath coming in short gasps.

Seconds later, I realized how much trouble we were in.

Luke and I skidded to a halt as two figures appeared in front of us. We spun around, only to be greeted by three more men, all heavily armed and grinning like hyenas. On either side of us, several additional men drew closer, their weapons raised and at the ready.

Did I forget to mention that we might have run the wrong way?