"Brock." I snarl into the Nokia.

Wasn't it bad enough that that sick monster was the one who got me into this mess? Now he was bugging me here, of all places.

I must've said as much aloud, because he answered.

"No, the fairy tale was already going to happen. I warned you about it. If it had gone as planned, you wouldn't remember any of that, anyways. But, I can make it all a whole lot worse if you don't do exactly as I say."

"Why would I do anything for you?"

"Because I have someone you care about." He taunted.

Stryker snorted. "I thought the queen was the one who was holding us?"

"Oh, she was. But she's very susceptible to briberies involving money. Her only condition was that I take the two of you out of her kingdom for a very, very long time. Believe me, I'd be more than happy to do that for her."

"Who do you have?" I grind out, rocking our bundle of chairs backwards when Stryker tries to say something else, probably something condescending.

"Talk to her yourself." There's a fumbling noise in the background.

"Ivory." Whispers a little girl voice. Bailey. She's choking back tears, and I can almost picture the sobs racking her little shoulders as the teardrops blur her freckles. "I'm scared."

That's more than she'd said the entire time I'd known her. The poor girl must be petrified. "I know, sweetie." I clench my fist. "I'm going to get you out of there. I promise. Are you the only one he has?"

She sniffles a little. "Ye-"

But the fumbling noise comes back.

"Ah ah ah." Brock scolds. I didn't say you could ask my hostage questions."

"She is seven years old! Let her go, you sadistic maniac!"

"I'm afraid that only you can make that happen."

"Fine." I groan. "What is it that you want from me?"

"I guess you'll find out, won't you? 3654 Hemingway Drive. You have two days, or the girl... gets acquainted with my gun."

"If you harm a single hair on that kid's head, I swear to God, I will find you and I will kill you with my bare hands."

But he's already hung up, and the dial tone drowns out all of my words.

I let out a stream of colorful words and slam my bound feet against the ground. "Two days, Stryker. We have two days to walk who knows how far and rescue a first grader before that man goes and slits her throat."

"Ivory..."

"God, and it's all my fault, too! I'm the reason they took her. I may not know why, but-"

"Ivory."

"How am I supposed to tell Aiden and Dyana? And Dustin! She's his twin, for crying out loud. They're probably worried sick! If she dies, I don't know how I'll go on living, just knowing every single day that I let a baby die. Not just anyone, either. Someone I cared about."

"Ivory!"

"I don't know what to do, Stryker." I whisper softly.

His voice takes on a gentler tone. "I know, but it has to start with us getting out of here. I managed to get my knife out. Can you reach it?"

I drop the phone and strain my free arm, twisting it around until I feel the smooth, carved wood of the hilt against my middle and forefingers.

I freeze as a sudden thought occurs to me.

"I thought they checked you for weapons?"

"Oh." He says uncomfortably. "They did."

I frown.

"Where was it?"

"You don't want to know. Cut your feet."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Great. My feet are free. Fat lot of good that'll do us."

He groans in frustration and speaks as if he's talking to a very small child. "Use the tip to pick the lock."

"Well, SORRY if I'm not exactly thinking right now."

He shrugs. "That's why you need me. You panic, I think."

I move over to his side and stop a moment, looking into his eyes, so dark they're almost black. The overhanging lightbulb glints off his chestnut hair that's falling precariously into them. "I never thought if be so happy to see your ugly face."

He smirks like he knows something I don't. "Just shut up and get me out of this thing."

He yanks out his sore wrist and grabs my forearm, picking the lock on the cell. We sprint out of a backdoor and hit the ground running before anyone notices that we're gone.

I stop as soon as we're out of sight and lean in a little closer.

"What do we do now?"

He gives me a strange look and cocks his head to the side.

"Do you smell tacos?"

"Wha-? I... Yes, but there's no time for food."

"There is always time for food." He says dubiously.

Twenty bucks and six tacos later in a shabby little hut that probably doesn't even use real meat, and I'm about ready to strangle the boy.

"Relax." He winks at me. "We need a couple hours to build up our forces anyways."

"Why?!"

"We can't just go in there, guns ablaze and take Bailey back. They'll kill her first. This is a sensitive situation. We need backup."

"How do you propose we get backup?"

His smirk dissolves. "I know a guy."

DUN DUN DUNNNN.