𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter One Hundred Twelve ~

Dusk awoke to a throbbing headache and the harsh glow of the morning light peering through a cabin's windows. Her hand went to her head as the throbbing sensation from the impact lingered. Everything leading up to her stepping onto the stage was now just a blur. Now, she had no idea where she was.

She slowly sat up, a groan or two brushing past her lips. But as she tried to walk over to the windows, something pulled her back to the bed. Her left arm was handcuffed to the metal post, and no matter how hard she tried to slide her wrist out of the metal clasp, it was no use. It was too big to slip through. Heavy footsteps and the creaking of wood inched closer to the bedroom. If she couldn't break free and escape now, maybe she could fight her way out when her abductors got closer. She quickly crawled back into bed, tossing the comforter on top of her as she pretended to be asleep.

"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!" An older woman whispered somewhat sweetly. The smell of ginger tea filled the air, making Dusk's closed eye open. "How about some fresh clothes hot from the dryer?" An older man offered. The brown blonde sat up again, sure enough being greeted by a couple in their mid-50s to late-60s. The man had a greying beard and hair, along with a pair of thin black glasses, while the woman had dark brown hair pulled into two braids and thin brown glasses.

"Where am I? Who are you people?" Dusk questioned. The thought of being kidnapped by them felt strange. She hadn't seen them in the bar, so how could they have possibly found her? Things were not adding up. "I'm Dr. Jean with a J," The woman answered. "And I'm Dr. Gene with a G," The man added. "We'll let you decide which one is the more dominant Jean..." "And which one is recessive," The couple chuckled. But when they saw Dusk was not laughing along with them, they stopped immediately.

The throbbing in Dusk's head returned, a slightly stronger wave that was enough to make her wince. "My head," She groaned. "We're so sorry about Jake. He can be a bit... overzealous, especially when he's excited." Gene apologized, reaching into his pocket as he walked to the post. As he uncuffed Dusk's wrist, her eyes widened with shock. Jake was the one who kidnapped me? And what's so exciting about kidnapping someone who's supposed to be your friend?

"How... how do you know Jake?" Dusk questioned. Jean and Gene looked at each other and laughed, further freaking Dusk out. "Aw, the poor thing is so confused! Shame he never told you about us, we're his parents!" Jean composed herself. Suddenly, everything clicked all at once. "Their names are Gene and Jean, they run an underground organization called the Keepers," The weirdos in fanny packs, the lingering smell of wet sheep and llamas. No... this couldn't be real... Jake is their son?! And I'm their next victim?! This has to be some sick prank!

"He never spoke of you," Dusk shook her head in disbelief. "Not surprising, he tends to be secretive on a lot of things," Gene responded. "But with us, he's an open book, told us a lot of things about you," Jean set down the tray on the bedside table. "What things?" Dusk treaded carefully. "Lot of gibber gabber about your druggie of a husband, dysfunctional family. But that's not important," Jean brushed it off. "What matters now is we have you,"

"What are you going to do? Kill me?" Dusk's heart pounded as she scooted back on the bed until her back hit the headboard. "Oh no, sweetheart. You're our guest!" Gene assured. "Those handcuffs were just a precaution," Jean explained. "We've been looking for you for a long time," I thought they were looking for Jennifer. Why do they all of a sudden want me? What purpose could I possibly serve? The headache's waves kept crashing over her again, her eyes rolling to the back of her head for just a brief moment before being met with blurriness and spots. Whatever Jake hit her with, it must've done a significant amount of damage.