Adam's Pulse

Part 11

Chapter 11

Sloan threw her notebook towards her couch, not caring whether the papers flew in all directions or not.  With a low moan in her throat, she flopped down on her recliner.  Today had been…eventful.  The woman who she was envious of at first had now become her friend.  Sloan smiled as she remembered Ally’s bright smile when Sloan agreed to be in her wedding.  It was hard to believe the woman when she said that she did not have many female friends.  Sloan couldn’t see how anyone would despise the woman.

With a shrug, she leaned forward and placed her face in her hands.  Ally wasn’t the biggest shock of the day.  The way that the woman had simply accepted Sloan had made her feel accepted, but the way Adam had laughed at Sloan’s stupid jokes had made her feel wanted.  She let out a sigh, trying to throw the thought from her mind.  She couldn’t afford to be in a relationship, even if it was a platonic one. 

Still, throughout the day, she had found herself relaxing around the two of them.  Even with the awkward moments with Adam seemed normal.  By the time they had went their separate ways, Sloan had felt like she had friends.  It was an uneasy feeling, one she both loved and hated.  Growing up, the only friend she had ever had was her brother.  When he was taken from her, she didn’t think she would ever be able to trust another person.  Somehow, she knew that her thoughts were wrong.  Even with the short time she had spent with Adam, she knew that she could trust the man.

She glanced towards her phone, remembering when Ally had attempted to put her number in before getting annoyed and telling Adam to do it.  She could call them.  She could make an excuse to see them.  Then, her night wouldn’t be ruined by the thoughts that plagued her while she was alone.  She wouldn’t have to worry about seeing the picture they had sent her of her brother, his swollen eyes, and the cut down his cheekbone.  She wouldn’t have to worry about waiting on the edge of her sofa all night long, wondering if they were going to call her, if she would get an update about her brother.

Her hand inched towards it before jerking back.  She couldn’t do it.  She couldn’t depend on someone else to make her happy.  She had done that before, and look what it had gotten her.  From the beginning, she should have gone to the police.  Even if they had no idea who she or her brother was, they would have helped her.  Now, it was too late.  With weeks gone by, she was too caught up in their games to go to the police now.  She had already done their bidding, some things that a person shouldn’t confess to the police.  She was trapped.

A ring sounded in her silent apartment, making her jump.  Still, as she reached towards her phone, equal amounts of hope and dread ate at her.  Would it be her brother’s kidnappers?  Would it be Ally?  With a deep breath, she glanced at the screen and let out a sigh of relief.  She didn’t recognize the number, and that meant one thing, it wasn’t the men who had her brother.  Was it horrible that she was relieved it wasn’t them, that for one night she wanted her life to seem normal? 

Flipping the phone open.  She pressed it to her ear.  “Hello?”

“Hi,” a voice answered, one that she instantly recognized.

Sloan leaned back in her chair with a small smile on her face.  Maybe, her night would be a little normal.  “Hey, Ally.”  Sloan paused for a moment, a frown forming on her face.  “How did you get my number?”

“You gave it to me,” Ally answered quickly.  A muffled noise sounded on the other end, but Sloan couldn’t make out the words.  “You should come over,” Ally said in a tone that made her request sound more like a demand.  “I want you to meet my family.”  When Sloan didn’t say anything, Ally sighed.  “Come on.  We don’t have classes tomorrow.”