CHAPTER NINE

"Then she's dead!" David shouted. His grip around the trigger tightened.

Samantha stared at Martin. He looked just as scared as she did, if not more so. His face was soft and tender. Samantha could see the sparkle in his eyes from the tears that threatened to fall. Then he looked away.

Tears sprang to her eyes; she was petrified. She was shaking uncontrollably. She could feel the cold metal digging into her scalp. Any second, her life could be over, and it was all up to David. David was playing God; it wasn't fair. There wasn't anything she could do. Anger arose in her heart. She was angry at David for kidnapping her. She was angry at David for hurting her. She was angry at David for using her as a human shield. Tears started to flow down her face like a waterfall.

She didn't have time to fathom much of anything. Before she knew it, she heard a gunshot. She cringed in fear, her body grew tense. She stole one last look from Martin before she closed her eyes, expecting the bullet to instantly kill her.

Samantha waited with trepidation, but after hearing the gunshot, she was still standing there.

The next thing she knew was she lost her balance as she and David fell to the ground. She landed hard on the pavement with David's arm wrapped around her throat; however, his grip was looser. She didn't move; she was too afraid. She even tried not to breathe hard so she could hear everything around her.

"Sam!" she heard Martin scream followed by rapid footsteps.

Her brain told her to get up, and as she made the attempt to, she suddenly stopped. Fear plagued her heart, and the only cure was Martin. But she couldn't get up. She couldn't explain it.

Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand touch her back. "Sam?" Martin's voice was unstable and cracking. His body shook with the possible reality.

Samantha knew that she was safe. She began to navigate her way out from underneath David's lifeless body. Ignoring the pain, she immediately looped her arms around Martin's neck; she scooted close to him. Tears continuously flowed down her cheeks, soaking Martin's shirt.

Martin gave a sigh of relief when Samantha moved. Tears of joy glistened in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, daring anybody to tear them apart. He noticed that her breathing was heavy with panic. Her entire body trembled with fear. Because of this, Martin pulled her closer than he ever thought was possible. She nestled her head in the crock of his neck, and he gently rested his cheek on her head, allowing a sigh of relief to escape his lips. He began rubbing her back gently, "It's okay," he soothed. "I've got you."

Samantha allowed herself to sink into Martin's embrace. She never felt happier in her entire life, but she couldn't stop herself from crying. She was happy that David was dead: He was never going to hurt her or anybody again. She was happy because she was once again settled in Martin's protective embrace. She was happy because she was alive. But most of all, she was happy that she had somebody like Martin by her side. The tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Martin reluctantly unwrapped his grip from Samantha. He grabbed her upper shoulders and gazed lovingly at her; he was careful as to not hit any bruise, cut, or other wound that beleaguered her body. His heart wrenched with sadness. Now, he could clearly see the evidence of her ordeal. Her long, beautiful hair was in knots at the top of her head. Her eyes were puffy and red from the little sleep she had gotten. The gash on her cheek looked as if it was getting infected. She had a few minor scratches on her face. Black and blue fingerprints were vividly imprinted on her neck indicating what David had done to her. Martin's blood boiled with anger; he knew immediately. The thought of David's hands wrapped around Samantha's neck squeezing the life out of her was unbearable. He began to ponder how it was possible that Samantha's tiny body withstood David's grave abuse. And then the blood boiled with a greater intensity. He looked over at David to make sure he was dead. Blood began to run in a puddle leading away from his head.

Martin just stared at Samantha taking in her wounds. A zephyr swirled through Samantha's knotted hair causing a loose strand to cover her eyes. Martin reached up and gently brushed it behind her ear. Then his hand wavered above her cheek as he lightly caressed her infected wound. The tears of joy that glistened in his eyes were now tears of sadness.

Samantha stopped crying. Her tear-stained eyes watched his gentle hand. Then her eyes maneuvered to his face. He gave her a sad smile that she mimicked.

"C'mon, we have to get out of here," Martin said in a low voice that was barely audible. He grabbed Samantha by the waist and pulled her off of the ground and onto her feet. When she grunted, he winced knowing the pain she was in. He carefully navigated his way to the car never letting go of her. He sat her in the backseat of the car; her legs dangled outside. "Are you okay?" His voice was low, but it spoke volumes.

Samantha sniffled. She gave him a small smile before shaking her head. "Now I am," she breathed. However, her actions contradicted her words when she leaned her right side of her body against the back of the seat; her body was unwilling to cooperate with her. She was so weak and beaten that she couldn't even hold her head up. Pain racked her body. She closed her eyes and scrunched up her face, taking deep breaths.

Martin stared at her. He wanted to hold her but was afraid. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I was so worried about you," he said. His head tilted to the side.

Without opening her eyes, Samantha smiled. "I missed you, too." She paused as another relentless pain shot through her body. She moaned before saying, "You were all I thought about."

Martin smiled, but it faded when he saw Samantha's face of agony and placed his hands on her knees. He desperately wanted to hold her again, but he was too afraid of causing her further pain. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. He fixed his gaze to the van. He saw Jack and Danny dragging Rick from the front seat. Elena was carefully untying Kyra's restrictions.

Samantha groaned which caused Martin to whip his head back to her.

"It hurts," she groaned. She didn't even bother of open her eyes or move an inch.

"The ambulance is on its way," Martin said. He just watched her, unsure of what to do. He began to get anxious. All he wanted was for Samantha's pain to go away.

Within a few minutes, Samantha was on the gurney as the speeding ambulance piloted its way through a maze of traffic.

As the paramedics worked, Martin sat by Samantha's side. Her small hand was cupped in Martin's hand; he gently squeezed it.

The squeezing allowed Samantha to relax. Her body was as light as a feather as her body molded into the hard gurney. She stared up at him; worry and relief was written on his face. She smiled at him to reassure him that she was going to be okay. "So, how was it?" she said in a feeble voice.

Martin looked to her with confusion.

Samantha took that as confirmation to continue. "Living without me?" she said. Her smile was wide.

Martin raised his head to the sky and sighed. A chuckle escaped his throat; he squeezed her hand tighter. His expression became solemn. He stared at her before a smile crept across his face. Much to the annoyance of the paramedics, he gently leaned in and brushed her lips with his own trying not to hurt her. "I couldn't stand to live without you," he said in a low but firm voice. He watched a smile appear across her face before he began laughing. He looked up at the vigorously working paramedics with appreciation.

The tender moment was cut short when Samantha felt the pain latch onto her like a hungry shark. Her whole body ached as a stubborn moan released from her lips. Martin stared at her with concern. The pain quickly subsided, and she relaxed her body. She looked up at Martin through watery eyes. "Remind me to never get kidnapped again," she laughed.

Martin couldn't help but laugh. She was so strong and plucky. He reached down and gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Suddenly, the ambulance stopped. Martin didn't even realize that they were at the hospital. He jumped out first and helped the paramedics unload the gurney. He strode steadily along with the paramedics and doctors; he never let go of Samantha's hand until she and the doctors disappeared behind the swinging doors.

Samantha stared at him through the tiny window in the door. She smiled with gratitude.

Martin mouthed, "I love you," before she and the others faded behind the off white hospital walls until they vanished into a room.

XxX

Stay tuned….there is more to come. I'm thinking maybe two more chapters, but I'm not sure.

Please review if you want me to update.