MINE

Chapter 32

We settled on the ground. It's like as soon as I hit Cole with a hug his body gave up trying to stand. I was sitting against the door and Cole leaned against me. His head laid on my shoulder.

"Cole?" I spoke softly making sure not to startle him.

He sniffled."I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you gonna help me get outta here?" I finally asked my most important question.

"Do you think I'd stay if I wasn't?" He lifted his head off from me.

We turned towards each other sitting with our knees touching the other persons.

"I don't like being around you." He couldn't look me in the eyes.

This baffled me. What does he mean he doesn't like being around me?? What did I ever do to him? Kidnap him and let my friend torture him? Give him a knife and tell him to punish himself? Cause his sibling and best friend to die? Oh right...that was what he did to me.

I tilted my head in obvious confusion.

"What did I ever do to you?"

"It's not what you did. It's how you make me feel." He slowly turned his head to look in my eyes.

This was the side of Cole I didn't mind. I wondered who he'd be if he never grew up in this life. Would he be a cool guy? A nerd?

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" I questioned.

How could I possibly make him feel?

"No. It's the opposite actually. I've never met you, never even knew you existed and yet you remind me of my mother. Your personality type, it reminds me of normal. I like normal. I want normal." He seemed genuine.

I have to admit, if Cole and I had met any other way I'm sure he'd be a nice guy. Maybe he just needs to get out of this situation. Maybe he has a chance as a good life. Maybe I can help him.

He continued to speak. "You make me feel so comfortable that I can express myself like I'm talking to someone I trust. I don't like being around you because you tripped some type of switch in my head that I can't get to turn off."

I let him talk without interruption.

He took in a big breath. "I don't like being around you because you make me want to leave this life and start over."

"So why don't you?" I peaked his interest.

"Leave?"

"Yeah. Start over. Why don't you?"

"Where would I go? What would I do? I don't have a purpose outside of these woods. I'd be all alone. Here I have people."

As dark and that was to hear I agreed. What would he do? Is Cole even capable of living a normal life? Does he know what that's like?

"People like Zac." I reminded him. "You want to be around people who get off on the things that you want to get away from?"

"I use to be Zac. I want to change...maybe he will too."

"I doubt that."

Cole looked down. I wonder what he's thinking.

Without warning he stood up and walked over to the fireplace grabbing a metal tool and playing with the flames.

I followed him and watched his lip quiver. He was really struggling with whatever he was thinking.

"I'll help you get out of here." He placed the tool back and nodded to me.

I nodded back.

"When?"

"In the morning." He replied.

I smiled to him. He could tell it was relief. He smirked back.

"There is a small problem, though." He sat on the couch.

"What is it?" I sat down too.

"Unless you want to walk for a good 12 hours we need to get a car."

I felt my stomach drop. Of course we need a car. Of fucking course.

"Where do we get one?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"From the cabin." I nodded and stood up trying to laugh off the tears that came pouring down my cheeks.

"Hey hey hey." Cole stood up and put a hand on my shoulder.

"I'll get it. I'll go and get the car and drive it back here." He tried to comfort me.

"I don't trust you." I spoke up.

"What do you have to lose?" He raised his eyebrows.

He's right. What do I have to lose?

"Sleep. I'll wake you before I leave."

"I'm not tired." I sat back on the couch and grabbed the blanket I had previous been in earlier.

I bunched it up and held it close to me. I just need time to think. Time to calm down and come to the realization that I'm putting my life in the hands of my kidnapper.

The cold cursive metal around my neck reminded me of who I was going to get justice for. I could not trust Cole, but I could trust Sara and Katie. I believed they were watching over me.

They would protect me.