Chapter 18

They sped down the road, the SUV bouncing up with every bump that they hit. Kenzi clenched her teeth, trying to roll with the punches, but it was hard. The SUV was bouncing everywhere and her body was still hurting.

"The factory is on Old Market Road. It was always pretty small since it only produced for this area and a couple surrounding towns. They made matches up until ten years ago when they finally shut it down after an electrical fire and investigation discovered faulty wiring was the cause. The owners only option was to shut it down or rewire it. It would've cost him more to rewire than he made in a year, so he shut it down. But the sulfur used in matches is so strong the scent lingers for years and years. Back when it was still up and running, there was a storage shed in the field behind it, where the workers would go and smoke. It was rusted and tiny, that's where Bo is." Dyson said. Kenzi stared at him and nodded along with his words. She trusted him, she trusted him with her life and she knew he was going to find Bo, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way. Kenzi worried that the feelings she was developing where not reciprocated. Dyson had loved Bo since she stepped into his life, and Kenzi didn't fault him for that. But she worried that she was just something to keep his mind off of all the bad things that were happening. She worried that once Bo was back, Dyson would no longer care for her in the same way. He had kissed her, she didn't kiss him, he kissed her both times. A warm hand wrapped around hers, holding it tightly. Kenzi looked up and Dyson was looking it her, his eyebrows knitted together in worry.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine." she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I didn't want you to come, you're not getting any better and this will only make it worse." Dyson said.

"Gee thanks, was that a nice way of telling me I look like shit?" Kenzi said with a smirk.

"I didn't mean it like that." he smiled.

"I know, but really, I'm fine. I'll be fine." she tried her best to reassure him, but his look did not fade and she knew he would not be ok until all their friends were back together, and everyone was healthy.

"No, you're not. I know that much, but you will be." He nodded.

"So sure of yourself."

"I just have confidence in the abilities of our friends when we work together."

"People work better in groups." Kenzi shrugged.

"Like a pack, packs work in groups, to get things done. Wolves hunt in packs because it's easier for four wolves to take down an animal than it is for one."

"Are you saying we're your pack Dyson?" Kenzi asked wiggling her eyebrows. He chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe."

"I think that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

"I think you should stop being condescending."

"I'm not being condescending, I'm just commenting on how adorable that is."

"Packs aren't adorable Kenzi."

"They can be."

"No they can't, packs of full of vicious animals, willing to kill to protect their pack." He said. Kenzi looked up at him, her eyes searching his.

"I don't even have to ask if you would kill to protect your pack, you've done it on several occasions." She said. Dyson nodded and looked at her solemnly.

"Well how about you be the vicious one and I'll be the adorable one." Kenzi said pointing to herself. Dyson chuckled and nodded, "That'll work." He said. Kenzi had never thought of their group like a pack before. But they really were. They were all willing to do whatever they needed to do in order to keep the pack safe and together. They may not say it, but they all loved each other, and Kenzi knew that Dyson would kill someone in a heartbeat if they threatened his pack, Kenzi knew they were all willing to kill for one another, and that made them very close. Dyson was kind, gentle, and caring when he wanted to be, but he was also strong, protective, and loyal, which were all qualities that Kenzi loved. She trusted him, she really truly trusted Dyson, and that was something that she couldn't say about a lot of people. She didn't trust everyone, but she trusted him and she hoped he never gave her a reason not to. Hale took a curve, sending everyone in the SUV to the side. Gravel kicked up as he sped into the open field. The SUV flew up to the shed and Hale threw it into park. But Kenzi barely noticed because she was jumping out of the vehicle. She ran toward the door, her adrenaline flowing. Dyson was already there, Tamsin right behind him. He ripped the door open and they ran inside, ready to fight whatever was waiting. But no one was there to fight them. The room was a mess, there was no floor, only dirt, there were random tools and old trash lying around, accompanied by lots of cigarette butts just tossed carelessly aside, it was suffocating inside, not because it was hot, but because it was such a small tight space. The stench was awful, it made Kenzi feel sick. They all stood frozen for a few seconds, staring at the space and its emptiness, until movement caught Kenzi's eye. She turned rapidly and her heart soared. Bo was lying in the corner. She looked awful, she was bloody, and beat up, cuts ran all along her exposed skin, her hair was a matted mess from blood and sweat, but there she was.

"BO!" Kenzi shouted and ran toward her. Everyone else whipped around and followed. But Kenzi made it first. She dropped down next to her and grabbed her face. Bo's eyes were open just a little bit and she groaned in pain. Kenzi lifted her face and scanned for any serious injuries. None were deep enough to kill her, but there were a lot and Kenzi imagined Bo had suffered for days at the hands of these people.

"No, no, get away." Bo said pushing at her hands.

"Bo, it's me, it's Kenzi."

"We're here Bo, come on, let's get you out of here." Dyson said.

"They'll be back, go." Bo was straining to talk and Kenzi could barely hear her as she pushed weakly at Kenzi's hands.

"And we'll kill them." Tamsin said. Bo mumbled something, one word, Kenzi couldn't make it out, she mumbled again, the same word.

"Bo, I can't understand what you're saying." Kenzi said gently. Bo's hand came up fast and latched around Kenzi's neck.

"HUNGRY" she said loudly. Kenzi reacted fast, jerking back and grabbing Bo's hands, but it was too late. Bo sucked in as her eyes turned bright blue. Everyone around them grabbed at Bo as she pulled from Kenzi. Hale grabbed Bo around the waist and jerked while Tamsin pried at her fingers. Trick tried to pull Kenzi away, and Dyson tried to place himself in between them. Kenzi felt nothing, she felt like she was floating and all she felt was the pain on her neck from Bo's nails. Finally a weight was lifted off of her and she tumbled to the ground. Blackness crept into her vision and her head swam. She tried to listen, tried to see what was going on, but movement was hard, she was drained, sleep was right at the helm, and then, black filled her vision and her eyes closed.