Rescuing Me

Chapter Eight "Arron"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my characters!

October 26th, Same day. Lily POV

I sat at the Search and Rescue part of the police station, sipping hot chocolate while everyone talked about what they had found in the children's room. My mom and Taylor sat on either side on me for support.

"Well he's obviously found her and he's been around long enough to know that she's apart of our team. He's probably known since before our last case. The letter, the fire, it was proabably him all along. We need to figure out a plan to keep Lily safe." Dan said. My mom squeezed my hand, looking deathly pale. Her worst nigthmare was coming true. He had found me again. She was obviously afraid.

"But how can we do that? This guy has been around for months and no one has noticed until he wanted us too." Caleb, who mom had brought with her, was frustrated. My mom reached over to him and put a hand on his shoulder gently.

"She can never be alone, at all times she'll have to have someone with her. At work, school, training, everywhere." Mom said, looking at me.

"My captain is fully aware of the situation and he intends to make this his top priority. Not only is Lily important to me and the S&R team, but this is putting innocent children at risk because of his sick game. He's using them to take a stab at Lily until he's ready to come after her." Dan angrily sat down his coffee cup.

I felt sick and sat my cup down. It was all my fault. Dan looked over at me. "It's NOT your fault Lily. I know what you're thinking and it's not. This is the sicko's fault. His decision."

"But he wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for me!" I protested. "None of these children would be in harms way if I wasn't here!"

"But that's out of your control!" Troy shot at me. "It's not like you provoked him, or reached out. He was looking and he found you. He wants to play this game. You're involuntarily in it."

"Troy and Dan are right Lily." Taylor kissed my cheek. "None of this is your fault. Yes it's happening but we all will do everything in our power to keep you safe. Me especially. I'll get my shifts altered to match your schedule. You've got enough credits to probably go ahead and graduate. Have your Mom talk to your teachers, explain what's going on. I'm sure we can work something out."

"So I just need to give up my life? Live in fear, stop my life because of this?" I felt angry. This guy couldn't control my life. He couldn't just come in and screw everything up.

"I'm not saying that. But we can't be with you at school and you're ready to graduate anyways. Still work, still come here with us, with Caleb. Just make it easier on you." Taylor said.

"Caleb could be with me at school." I pointed out. "And even if I did graduate early, I still have to go until January."

Taylor thought it over. "Okay, well what do you think about her graduating in January?" He turned to my Mom.

She looked at me. "I think it's the best idea." I sighed.

"Well I really don't like school anyways." I gave in. "So let's have a chat with the school when we can." I looked at the clock. "I'm going to call the hospital and get an update on Ray and the kids."

It seemed like so long ago when the robbery happened, but had it really just been last night? Man was this an eventful twenty four hours. I dialed the local hospital's number and first inquired about Ray. I said I was his daughter so they would tell me information.

"He is not quite out of the woods, but not critical at the moment. He's been resting for a few hours. We are hoping for a full recovery." I thanked the nurse and then asked about the children. This time I told her about my position on the Search & Rescue team. She hesistated. "Please, I'm the one who found Arron. I just want to know how he and Ana are. I've been worried sick. I can come there if necessary."

She sighed. "The girl seems to be okay, just very wet, cold and scared. The boy..." She trailed off.

"What?" I demanded. My heart was racing.

"The boy is in critical condition. The doctors believe he initially had been drowning where you found him and you brought him back. But he's not waking up and his body tempature isn't coming up. If he continues like this and doesn't wake up, he'll have to go on life support and he could possibly die." The room seemed to spin. I leaned against the wall. "Miss?"

"I'm here." I said, half breathless. Such a young life, possibly lost forever. "The doctors are doing everything they can?"

"They are. They are working as hard as they can to save him." I thanked her again and hung up, sitting on the floor. I felt so damn sick to my stomach. He's only two! I felt like screaming. He couldn't die. He needed to live. God would surely spare him, right? His condition was no fault of his own. It was the fault of a sick and cruel man, who let those two children out there, possbily put the boy there to drown.

"Lil?" I heard Caleb's voice. He sat down next to where I was on the floor. "Is it Ray?"

I shook my head. "Ray isn't quite critical, they're hoping for a full recovery. The little girl, Ana, she's fine. The boy though, Arron. Well he's in critical condition. He's not waking up and his body tempature won't come up. They're really worried. He could possibly die." I whispered. Caleb hugged me.

"It all seems so unfair doesn't it?" I nodded my head against his chest.

"He's only two for pete's sake!" I shoved away from Caleb and got up. "TWO! How in the world could that possibly be FAIR!?" I reached out and struck at the table, knocking something over. "He could die because some sick idiot wants to get to ME! I should be the one in that condition! Not him!"

"Lily..." Caleb grabbed my arms and held them together. "Calm down Take a deep breath."

I tried to do as he said but I was too worked up at the unfairness of the whole situation. I yanked out of his grip and walked outside for a breather. I ran my hands through my hair and as I reached the kennels, I sank down in the wet, muddy grass. My head was a chacotic mess. I could feel the tears streaming down my face, the anger and aching hurt in my chest.

I was glad no one came out after me. I was so angry I would probably just scream at whoever came out to talk to me and that would be no good. I knew my anger was misplaced right now. I shouldn't of acted out like that in there and I shouldn't have gotten angry with anyone in there. They were my family, blood and non blood, but all of them were my family. They just wanted to protect me and keep me safe, be there to support me in this hard time I knew all of us on the team were going through. Yes, Taylor and I had it worse because we found him. But we got through it as a team.

I needed to apologize. I just couldn't yet. Not with how I was feeling. I stood up and went inside, soaked again. I went into the locker room and changed into a pair of sweats and a thermal t-shirt of Taylor's. When I came out, everyone was talking about our options again.

Mom looked at me worriedly. "I'm fine." I told her as I sat down. "I'm sorry to all of you that I'm acting the way I am. I know we're all going through the same thing and we're all a team."

Everyone put their hand on mine on the table. "We know it's hard. You've had three stressful events in the past twelve hours and it's normal to have the anger, the hurt. Just know we're all here for you." Cheyenne told me.

"Thank you." I looked at Caleb. "Did you update them?"

"I did." Caleb sighed.

"Thanks." I said. Caleb just gave me a tiny smile.

…...

Later that night as I sat at home with my mom and Taylor watching a movie together, the phone rang. It was Uncle Billy returning Mom's worried call from earlier. "I'm really fine Uncle Billy. I'm more worried about the children and Ray. I'm safe as can be here at home." I handed the phone to Mom at his request. She went into the kitchen to talk to him.

I snuggled into Taylor and he brought the blanket up over both of us. "You should try to get some sleep, Lil. I'll stay here again tonight. I took off until we get everything settled. The captain understands and your mom is more than okay with me staying."

"I'm glad you'll be here. I need you." I whispered into his shoulder. At our feet lay Bow and Trixie, sleeping soundly.

"I'll always be there for you when you need me." Taylor kissed me. "Always."

I felt a warm feeling take over me for just a moment. A content feeling. I had the notion that I was falling for Taylor more than just liking. It felt so good and right. I pressed my lips into his neck.

Taylor kissed my forehead and laid my head on his shoulder. "Sleep, Lil."

I did as he requested and found that I easily fell into a deep sleep.

…...

October 27th

I woke up and stretched, looking around. I was in my bed next to Taylor with the dogs sleeping below us on the floor together. Looking at the clock I saw it was three in the morning. Sighing I got up because I had to go to the bathroom. Taylor grabbed onto me.

"Where are you going?" He asked groggily. I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Bathroom." He smiled back.

"'Kay, hurry back." I quietly left the room and walked down the hall to the bathroom. After I was done, I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked horrific and pale as could be but I guess that was to be expected. I silently walked back down the hall and joined Taylor again in my bed. He was so warm and he almost immediately pulled me close to him.

"You're so warm." I whispered into his shirt. He slept in his t-shirt and boxers. He pulled me even closer.

"I can warm you up anytime." He kissed me and I kissed him hard, back. "You're so amazing, do you know that?" I looked at him, confused. "Today...you didn't think, you didn't hesitate. You just dived in that freezing water after him and kept fighting the water until you reached him. You carried him running all the way back, drenched, with no jacket in the pouring rain. Didn't stop once to think of yourself. You're so selfless and brave. A little unsafe too but I understand completely. I would of done the same if you hadn't."

I was almost speechless. "I'm not that amazing. You just said you would do the same."

"Yes but...it's different for you. Every child, every case to you is so personal because you've lived through it before. You understand the pain." Taylor said, caressing my face. "And watching you today, jump into that freezing water with no thoughts but saving the little boy, saving Arron. It made me realize something." Taylor paused, watching my face. "It made me realize that I'm in love with you." What—did he-my heart felt like it stopped.

"Did you just say...?" I trailed off. He looked completely serious.

"I did." He grinned at me. "Dont feel like you have to say it back. No pressure. I want you to say it when you're ready or feel it. It just hit me."

I kissed him and wrapped my arms around him. "You don't know how much that means to me." I kissed him again. "I'm just not quite ready as you are."

He kept his smile. "That's perfectly okay. I don't want you to rush. You'll get there when you get there."

I snuggled into him ,feeling like one good thing had happened today and fell back asleep with a little bit of happiness.

…...

(Same day, Lily POV)

My morning got signifinantly better when I got an update that Ray was awake and in good condition. Arron was a bit better but they couldn't tell me much besides that. But he had survived the night. I would take it.

I had a conference with my principal, teachers and my mom later this afternoon about me graduating early. The principal had made it clear to my momt that it most likely would not be a problem at all for me to graduate in January. My grades were A's and B's and I was only taking three classes now in my senior year. I also got a call from the cook, Sean, from the diner who wanted me to come in this morning to open up the diner. He wanted to resume business as usual so Ray wouldn't lose a bunch of money. I respected that very much and I poured my coffee in a to go cup so I could head on down to the diner with Taylor.

Speaking of the devil...I felt hands wrap around my waist and he kissed my cheek. "Morning beautiful." Taylor said, reaching around me to grab the coffee pot. I smiled.

"Good morning." I handed him his own to go cup. "Already made. Two sugars and three creams."

Taylor grinned. "You know me so well."

I reached up to kiss him. "I do." My mom was at work but knew of my plans to head to the diner. She would meet me and Taylor at the school at one to meet for the conference.

We loaded up the dogs, knowing no one at the diner minded the dogs coming in. When I got there, Sean was waiting at the door for me and we talked while I opened the door. He updated me again on Ray since he had been to the hospital to see him the most. He told me Ray's daughter would be here as soon as possible to see Ray. She lived on the West coast so it'd be a bit. "I hope he knows I want to come see him as soon as possible." I said.

"He knows." Sean answered. Little by little in the next half hour, our staff showed up to work. We talked about the robbery and about how we needed to resume business as usual so as not to close down. Two plain clothes officers would be at the diner every night about an hour before closing to make sure nothing else happened. They had no leads so far on the robber. They of course didn't have much to go on since he wore gloves and a mask.

I counted out the drawers as Ray as taught me and Sean got things set up in the kitchen. Taylor helped out the the two waitresses and bus boys open up the diner. It felt good to be doing something besides worrying. A few of our elderly regulars came in, asked me a bit about the robbery which they had read about in the paper, but otherwise everything was the same.

Before I knew it, it was twelve thirty. "I'll be back after I talk with my school. It feels good to be out of the house." Sean nodded. He knew about the events in the past day or so.

Taylor drove me to the school after dropping the dogs off and came into the conference room with Mom and me. He was representing the police department and would be able to correspond with the school about plans to keep me safe here til January. Caleb was also there since he would be with me at school.

"Lily, your grades are wonderful and you only have three classes to finish your credits in high school for college. We've discussed it and it would be no problem for you to graduate in January. You'll take your SATs in December and your finals, it'll be hard but we have the most faith in you. We understand the situation is a dangerous one and we are fully willing to cooperate with the police department and your mother concerning your safety. We've said that after all students are inside in the mornings, we'll look the doors and anyone will need to be buzzed in by the front secretaries, or myself. Caleb will escort you to all classes, if not him then a staff member or officer."

"Thank you so much. I know it's a very unsual situation for everyone but I appreciate the way you are cooperating with everyone. I will do my best and work my hardest to finish everything by my graduation day."

After discussing for a little longer, the meeting was over. My mom went back to work and we went back to the diner. Business was good and busy as usual. We can back just as the lunch rush was ending and we helped clean up in the kitchen and on the floor.

Around four, Kelly, one of the waitresses, told me I had a phone call in Ray's office. "Hello?"

"Lily, it's Anne. I wanted to update you on Arron." Anne cleared her throat. "Arron passed away about a half an hour ago. He just wouldn't wake up and eventually he gave up. His heart stopped."

I felt tears prick my eyes. "How are his parents?"

"They're a mess as expected. I'm figuring we'll make a trip to the home once they're home. Express our condolences." Anne said quietly. Tears streaked down my face. I couldn't save him. "Please don't beat yourself up Lily. You did everything you could to save him. You were the reason he had any chance at all."

"I'm the reason he had NO chance at all." I replied thickly.

"Don't you dare think like that. That's exactly what that sicko wants you to think. He wants to break you down, to beat your spirit down. To make you feel like this is all your fault." Anne quickly said.

"Well it's working right about now." I hung up and sat back in Ray's leather chair. I pulled up my knees and laid my head on them. A quiet knock on the door made me look up. It was Taylor. "Arron..didn't make it. He passed away a half hour ago."

Taylor looked down and sighed. "Dammit." He came over to me and held my hand. "You did everything you could Lily."

I sobbed into his shirt for the little boy who would never see the age of three, for his twin sister who lost her brother, for his parents who lost one of their children. All because of a stupid sicko and his stupid, sick game.

…...

Unknown POV

I watched in silent pleasure as they wheeled the little boy's body away. Adam, Alec, something or another was his name. Who cares. He was just a pawn in my game to get to her. Useful while he lasted. And he did exactly as I needed him to, I knew the girl would feel the pain, feel it as a personal loss. It was the beginning of her end. The beginnging of her breakdown.

The game has started as I thought to myself as I saw the mourning parents leave their son's hospital room. Let the games and fun begin.

…...

Taylor POV

I watched as Lily sat at her kitchen table holding the hot choclate I was making her drink and stared at the untouched grilled cheese I had tried to make her eat. "Hey, I know I'm not a perfect cook, but its only a little burnt. Still edible." I tried to joke in an attempt to bring something out of her. She just stared into the cup of hot chocolate. "Lil..."

"Not now Taylor." She snapped. I put my hand on her shoulder. She sighed. "Sorry. I know I shouldn't snap at you. You're only trying to help."

I kissed her forehead. "I know you're mourning. You're hurting. Know that I am here for you, you can talk to me."

"Yes I'm mourning, I'm hurting...but most of all I'm angry. Angry that Arron lost his life because of an idiot. He's such a coward." She lowered the cup to the table. "Why not man up and come after me? Someone less vunerable? Able to properly fight back?"

He wants to wait til you're broken down. I thought to myself. Til he can get you alone to finish what he started. But I didn't dare say that. "He's a coward like you said. He's sick. Sick that he thinks that people are just pawns in game."

Lily looked down. "I just feel so sick. I can't even imagine what Arron's parents are going through."

"Me neither. None of us can, we've never lost a child." Well one of us has. But that wasn't my story to share, I kept it inside. I looked at the clock. "It's almost time to meet the team at the Holt's house. Are you sure you want to come?"

Lily nodded. "I have to." She said simply. I watched her get up and put on her shoes and coat. I followed her out to my car and helped her into the car. The ride over the Holt's was silent, both of us in our thoughts. It was a very hard thing we were about to do. Grieving parents that were going through so much.

We met up with the team and knocked on the door. Mr. Holt's father, Arron and Ana's grandfather, answered and waved us in. "It's so good of you all to come here to support them. Such a selfless thing you do all the time." He wiped his eyes. "Thank you." Anne grabbed his hand.

"It's what we do." Anne answered back. He lead us all into the living where they sat. I tried to prepare myself.

…...

Lily POV

I sat down and looked at Mr and Mrs Holt, their grief stricken faces and felt the aching return. Ana who was playing in the corner with her toys alone, made the ache worse.

Anne spoke first. "Mr and Mrs Holt, we want you to know that we are so truly sorry about your loss. It is so heartbreaking to lose a child so young."

They both looked at us. Mr Holt spoke up. "It's been a hard twenty four hours. The worst of our lives."

Mrs Holt looked straight at me and Taylor. "I never got to thank you for finding them. Bringing them back. Thank you." A tear rolled down her face.

"I am so sorry." I told her, kneeling in front of her and grabbing her hand. "For everything. I can't even imagine."

She somehow smiled at me. "You know, at first I was so happy to see him in your arms, the panicked when he wouldn't wake up, and so angry when the captain told us what the words on the wall meant and who you were." She paused. "I was so angry because I couldn't help think that this was all your fault and how was it fair that my son was paying for something to do with you, a complete stranger." I felt my heart sink. Shock and hurt coursed through me. But what could I say? I heard Taylor about to protest when she stopped him. "But I realized, it is in no way your fault. You're just a young girl, who has been through more than you should. You're a young girl who is being terrorized by some weird, sick, whacko. And I'm so angry that if I could see this person now, I'd kill him myself."

She pulled me into a hug and I held on tight. "You don't know what I'd give to bring Arron back to you. How sad and hurt I am for you. I haven't stopped thinking about Arron since I found him. I've prayed and prayed. I felt like screaming. It isn't fair. In no way is it fair." I said to her, tears coming down my face now.

"I know. You already brought him back to us. You are the only reason he ever had a fighting chance to live, to be with us. Your team leader, she told me of how you rushed into the freezing water without a thought for yourself, how you ran back here with him, covered in a blanket and your jacket. Just like I would have, just like a mother. Not thinking of anything but her child. You were only thinking of Arron and I cannot thank you enough for that. You are so special. And I will never forget you. I will pray for your safety from this man." We were both crying now. Mr Holt joined in on our hug. Then looked at the rest of the team.

"The same goes to all of you. You were all out there in the freezing pour rain for at least an hour, never stopping, looking for our children. You're all so selfless, so brave. Your dogs too. They found our children and brought them back to us. We may have lost Arron but we still have Ana and it wouldn't be that way if it wasn't for all of you."

After a very tearful and heartfelt visit, we left the Holt's to their family. All of us had red rimmed eyes, even the guys. I hadn't expected that. And to hear that from Arron's mom, made some of the guilt subside. His funeral would be on Friday, the 30th. We would all be attending.

As we drove home, Taylor reached over and gripped my hand tightly. "I love you." He said and kissed my hand.

I smiled at him. Those words filled my heart with happiness on this sad day. "I know and I'm glad." Tonight would be a night of remeberence for Arron. A night to cherish the people you loved and had in your life. I learned to cherish what I had and I did, so much. I was lucky.

…...

Author's note: Woah! Emotional chapter! I didn't even plan it that way, it just flowed out of my as I typed. It hits home because my son is about to be two and he's my world. I can't imagine life without him .

And another Woah. Two chapters in about an hour! I'm trying to make up for not updating so long. I will update as much as possible, now I have to update my other stories, then back to this one. I see a ton of hits already from chapter 7, so please keep don't forget to review! Thanks for reading!

Quinnandsethsgirl15