Gone

Running out of time

Rad entered Autobot base, Carlos, Fred, and Billy mere steps behind him. All of them looked utterly exhausted, and as if they hadn't slept in days. Actually, none of them had gotten a good nights rest in seven days; Alexis had been unaccounted for an entire week.

Optimus looked up from the computer, "Any sign of Alexis yet?" He asked them.

They all shook their heads as if having bean beaten in battle, "Not a thing Optimus; but the forensics labs have determined that Alexis was the passenger in Jenny's car." Rad's mom was being a major helper for Alexis' family; also getting information on what was happening; inadvertently telling Rad.

"Don't worry; I'm sure they'll find her alive-"

"Will you stop saying that Optimus! With the amount of blood she lost in the crash alone she wouldn't have lasted long without food and water; she's dead by now Optimus!" Rad was having a little trouble keeping his cool, the stress and lack of sleep was definitely getting to him. "…And if by some miracle she is still alive… she probably wants to die by now!"

"Don't be ridicules Rad! Alexis isn't dead; and she's way too stubborn to die!" Billy snapped.

RedAlert shook his head; everyone was getting on each other's nerves with Alexis in danger; especially since there was nothing they could do. There hands were tied, and he didn't want to say it, it might bring everyone's hope's even further down, but Rad was right, Alexis was probably dead, and hopefully she had suffered as little as possible.

Rad noticed the defeated look on RedAlert's face; he obviously thought Alexis was dead too. If she's missing much longer they'll call off the search for her; she'll become an unsolved cold-case. He couldn't let that happen; she was one of his best friends, and held the group together like glue! If she was dead… the friendship he, the guys, and Autobots has would fall to pieces. But what could a teenager possibly do?

———

Alexis looked at the stone wall; she'd been hit in the head so many times the only reason she knew her name was Alexis was because she carved it on the wall after being hit once. She was beginning to believe what Damien was telling her; that she was his fiancée before hitting her head. She knew something about it was strange, but whenever she questioned him he beat her, then raped her; if she did as told and didn't ask questions he wouldn't beat her, just rape her.

He'd given her new clothes, and allowed her to clean up. She had learned better than to complain for her own safety, and her cuts and bruises were healing. Damien had also given her a type of medication to increase the iron in her blood to help her heal quicker. But deep down, she knew something wasn't right. If that were true, why did he hide her in a basement? Locked away with a scant amount of food and water? She heard a sound; the door upstairs was open, and he had a visitor. She listened hard; the voice sounded kind, and distantly familiar…

She had to take the chance, "Help…" she choked, he timid voice scaring her. She faintly remembered someone… someone like her. Only stronger, smarter, and knew how to get things done. "Help!" she called again, this time louder and more pronounced. "Help Me!" She heard a shuffle, and hoped with all her heart and soul; that whoever it was, was trying to help her, and not him.

To be continued…