Zoey's pov
I almost laugh to myself. Here I was, spending my sixteenth birthday, all alone in my prison.
Apparently, Johnathan caught the flu. He hadn't given my food to me for the past week. My plan was supposed to happen five days ago. It might not seem like that long, but it's absolutely hell when you're trapped like a caged animal.
"Happy birthday," I hear a familiar voice says softly, over the loud lock on the door. My eyes widen. Johnathan. I rush over to my bed and shove pillows underneath the blanket to make it look like I was under it. Then I run back behind the door.
The door swings open. I move it avoid getting smacked. Johnathan walks into my room. I run behind him, grab his keys, turn, and run out of the door. I slam it closed and lock it, just as he starts to pound on it.
I was free.
I shove the keys into my pocket, then go creeping down the hallway quietly, praying that Pete or James wouldn't catch me.
I say a final prayer as I approach the front door. I poke my head around the corner. No one. I close my eyes for half a second, then reopen them and take off running towards the front door. I get through it, and run down the sidewalk, towards the car. I get inisde, then lock the doors.
I look around frantically. I knew nothing about how to operate a car. I couldn't even start one! I groan and slam my head down on the steering wheel. The glove box pops open and a stack off cash comes tumbling out. My eyes widen.
I hurriedly grab it, then climb back out of the car, running down the driveway, towards the street. I duck into the woods and hold my breath as Pete drives by.
"Excuse me," I say, exhausted from running away. The employee working the front desk at the hotel looks up and raises an eyebrow at me.
"I need to book a room for tonight," I continue.
"Do you have money?" He asks me, setting his magazine down. I nod and reach into my back pocket, pulling out a hundred dollar bill. He snatches it from my hand, then types a few things into his computer.
"Room 108," he instructs, handing me a room key. I nod and take it. I hurry out of the lobby and to my room.
I have to tell you, it felt absolutely amazing to shower with hot water again. I could've stayed in there forver. But unfortunately if I did, then I would miss the news. And I need to know what's going on in the world.
"Breaking news! The men responsible for impersonating social security workers in order to kidnap young Zoey Irwin have been identified. The three men were identified as Pete, Johnathan, and James Range. The three brothers are known for being extremely dangerous. If you have any information leading to the arrest of these men, please call the number listed below," the reporter instructs. My eyes widen. I grab the hotel phone and dial the number. I quickly tell the operator the address I was stuck in for the past eight months. I withdrew from telling her my name. If Pete, Johnathan, and James were looking for me, then the less I used my name, the better.
