I look over at Cheryl hesitantly. I’ve been home for a few days now. But I haven’t left my room much. I haven’t talked to my parents. They keep telling me they’ll be there when I’m ready. But I don’t see how I could ever be ready.

“Just talk to me,” Cheryl says and reaches her hand out to me. I want to tell them all, but I know what they’ll say. I confessed everything to the shrinks at the hospital and they gave me a pill and said I was sick. I’m not sick. I’m heartbroken; there’s a difference.

I don’t need anyone else talking to me about Stockholm syndrome. I’m thinking clearly, and functioning just fine. But I miss him. It hurts me so much to not know if he’s okay.

It’s almost like it never happened. Like I imagined it.

One day I was taken, and two months later I’m dropped off at a hospital. They filed a report even though I told them not to. Doctor-patient confidentiality apparently doesn’t mean shit if my state of mind is unwell.

I didn’t tell the police anything. I don’t want to confide in anyone. I just want Kade back. I rub my chest where the pain is.

“I know they hurt you,” Cheryl says and her voice cracks. She just wants me to talk, I know that. But I can't.

“Please don’t.” I shake my head and stop her right in her tracks. Tears prick my eyes. “Don’t.” I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want her pity. I don’t want to know what they think happened to me. I know what they think, and I know what they’ll say if they ever found out the truth.

“Tell me to do something then. Please.” Cheryl’s voice is full of desperation. “I feel so guilty.” She takes in a ragged breath. “You have no idea. I love you so fucking much, and when you didn’t come home I knew something was wrong.”

Hot tears run down her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have let you go there alone.” She doesn’t bother to wipe them away. It was just to an interview. I don't blame her in the least.

I hug her, making the bed bounce slightly. I tighten my arms around her to show her how much I love her. “It’s not your fault. It’s okay.” She holds me back and doesn't let go as a violent sob is ripped from her throat.

“It’s not okay.” She pulls away from me and angrily wipes the tears. “You’re not okay.” I barely make out her words through the sobs.

She struggles to even her breathing. She’s right; I’m not okay. I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay. I’ve never hurt this much before.

I feel abandoned and alone. Even though I’m surrounded by friends who are here for me. I don’t want them though. I want Kade.

I take in a steadying breath and prepare to answer her, but a sturdy knock at my door stops me.

“Olivia?” My father’s voice is uncertain.

“Yes?” I answer hesitantly.

“There are police officers here to see you.” My blood turns to ice, and my body numbs.

I won’t talk. I don’t want to.

I look down at my body. I’m only in sweats and an old t-shirt. My pajamas basically. I’ve been wearing the same ones for two days now. They’re clean at least. I don’t have a bra on though.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” I answer loud enough for him to hear.

Cheryl’s composing herself and wiping her nose with her sleeve as I open the dresser drawer and pull out a bra. Then I open the drawer below it looking for a nicer looking shirt. I turn my back to her to change clothes as quick as I can.

“Are you okay?” Cheryl asks.

I turn, slipping the shirt down and stare at my best friend.

“Are you going to be in trouble? Is that why…?” She doesn’t finish, but she doesn’t have to.

“No,” I say and shake my head.

“What can I do to help?” Her wide eyes, glassy with tears, are pleading with me.

I hold my hand out to her. “I could use a friend.” She’s quick to take my hand and she doesn’t let go as I walk through the hall and down the stairs.

My heartbeat seems to slow with each step and finally I’m in my dining room where an officer in uniform is sitting with my parents at the table and another officer is standing behind him.

“Olivia Bell?” the officer asks.

I clear my dry throat and try to answer, but it’s so hard. It feels as though a lump is lodged in it, so I just nod instead.

“I’m Detective Dowers, and this is my partner, Detective Brown.”

“Hi,” I manage to squeak out.

“We have a few questions for you,” the man standing asks. Detective Dowers' nearly bald head reflects the light hanging above the table. His eyes are a soft hazel, but they seem kind.

I nod my head again and pull out a seat, sitting across from the other officer. He’s younger, but he looks tired with bags under his eyes.

His voice is deeper, too. “Do you know this man?” He sets a picture down on the table and everyone else in the room takes a look.

My heart stops beating. It’s Kade. He’s staring back at me. His power is reaching me through his picture.

Life seems to drain from me. I look into the officer’s eyes, but I don’t answer.

After a moment, he speaks. “We have reason to believe that he abducted you on September 16^th.”

“Is this the man?” my mother asks as she grips my shoulders and tries to look me in the eyes. But I don’t move, I don’t react. I feel trapped. I don’t know how they found out, but I’m not saying a word. I refuse to say anything against him.

I won’t do it.

“Miss?” Everyone’s eyes are on me as I lick my dry lips and shake my head no.

“He admitted to kidnapping you.”

My eyes flash to Detective Dowers. My heart races, and my blood heats.

“I need to ask you some questions. And you need to answer them truthfully.” I slowly move my eyes to Detective Brown as he speaks.

“Olivia. Are you okay?” my mother asks.

“Olivia, you don’t need to answer anything,” Cheryl’s quick to add. She looks up at the officers and says, “She has the right to a lawyer.”

“We have no intention of pressing charges against Olivia. She’s the victim here.”

“What happened?” my father asks. And Detective Dowers looks more than ready to divulge information.

I don’t speak as the two officers rattle off the last two months of my life as though it’s a series of crimes. They have names and dates. They mention rape and sex slavery. All the while, my parents cry. Even my father.

I sit there numb, listening to it as everyone around me breaks down into hysterics. It’s odd to hear what they think of it. Some facts I know could have only come from Kade.

He abandoned me, and then admitted to everything. I wish he’d told me. I would have never let him do it. I feel so betrayed by him. I'm sick to my stomach.

“We need you to answer these questions. And you’re going to have to testify.”

“What if she doesn’t want to face him?!” Cheryl cries out with horror. She hasn’t let go of my hand.

“I won’t do it.” I speak for the first time.

The officers stare at me for a long time.

“We’re going to need you to speak to our psychologist.” I shake my head. That’s not happening either. No fucking way.

“If you refuse,” Dowers looks at Brown and sighs as if he’s burdened to tell me, “we will subpoena you. And if you fail to follow through with your obligations, charges will be pressed.”

“How dare you!” my mother hisses across the table.

“Get out of my house.” My father’s voice booms through the room. My body shakes, and tears leak from the corner of my eyes.

“I’m very sorry for what’s happened to you, but we won’t allow you to compromise this case. We will prosecute you to the full extent of the law if you fail to cooperate.”

* * *

That threat has echoed in my head every night for the past two weeks.

Each appointment, every interview.

And now as I get ready to testify against the man I love.