Jake POV

On the one hand, I knew it would be crazy and reckless to go in there and try my best to save Sam. But Josie had told me to protect Sam from the maniac murderers. And I had failed that. But what if Sam died? I would never forgive himself for disregarding Josie's warning. And Sam's family would be without Sam. Cody. Brynna. Wyatt. None of them would have Sam around anymore. It would all be my fault, and I would never be able to look at her family without feeling that guilt and regret. In a small town, that would be complicated. However, I didn't want to die either. That wouldn't help Sam. And charging in blind would just mean I was in trouble too. Suddenly, I saw something in my peripheral vision and a surge of hope flooded through me.

Sam POV

Okay, calm my rapidly beating heart. He was twirling a butcher knife in his hand. A long one. I whimpered slightly and then felt like mentally kicking myself for letting him know I was afraid. Dammit, why couldn't I have a chance to die with dignity at least? Darryl laughed, likely watching my helplessness with great enjoyment. I felt myself growing weary and weak. Dizziness was making my vision a feat to behold. Blood loss. It really worried me how much I was losing myself. Darryl seemed to take wicked pleasure from twirling the knife and seeing me weak. I begged my mind to think of something else. The first thought was of Jake. I couldn't kid myself anymore. He was the only one who had been on my mind other than my family, really. I had just reconnected with him, and I knew I still had feelings for him. But my competition was Josie. She was dead, but obviously still had Jake's heart. Well, it hadn't been that long since her death after all. I had two big regrets. One, that there was no way to make sure Darryl didn't do this to every girl who broke his heart. And two. I would never be able to tell Jake how I felt about him. Tears slipped down my cheeks and it just made Darryl laugh all the harder. My head was even groggier now. I could barely make sense of my surroundings. Darryl seemed to take pleasure in watching the life drain away. Just before I blacked out, I heard splintering wood, a surprised gasp, a clatter of something on the dirt floor, a thud, and I saw a face hovering over mine, but I couldn't identify it before I blacked out.

Jake POV

As I was fighting with myself as to what I should do, I watched as the Phantom ran up to the door, kicking it in. I couldn't believe he was risking it either. Horses were more flight than fight, weren't they? The crazy horse. I jumped out of my truck, relieved that I only had to be back-up. And I could help Sam this way. I watched from the door as the Phantom took down the door, and then two, no three men. I registered the faces. One was the man I had followed...but another...my eyes widened. Darryl? Darryl was one of these psychos? But Darryl was dead! Well obviously not. Then I saw a lady in a corner. A police uniform! I ran over to her and unbound her. She looked rough, and so did her uniform. I averted my eyes and took the gag off her mouth. As soon as it came off, she exclaimed. "Go help the other girl!" I whipped my head around in the direction that the lady was pointing and gasped, rushing over. She was lying in a pool of blood, but I disregarded that and picked her up in my arms. This was my fault. My fault for failing to protect her again. I leaned my head closer to hers, then detected breathing and my eyes widened. I put one arm under her knees, and put the other behind the top of her back, rushing her out to my truck. The police were finally there, and the Sheriff gulped, seeing Sam in such a state. "There's another woman in there. I'm going to rush Sam to the hospital."