Chapter 19: Why isn’t anything easy?
Jelena:
Camping was fun. Especially my shower with Traeger. I’m glad to get back at the house, though. The fridge was empty, so everyone decided to go to the market. I bowed out because I couldn’t handle another minute with the little devils. They were driving me crazy. I thought my mom would argue, but she didn’t. I guess she understands that Jesse and Ricky can be quite the handful. Throughout the day, I keep reaching for my phone, then remember that Traeger has it. After what he told me about the Institute, I worry about what will happen to him and his pack. Ever since he told me what he is, I’ve felt like I’m in the middle of a science fiction novel.
When I get to my bedroom, I lay my bag on the floor and throw myself on the bed. I’m still a little sore from the night before. Making love with Traeger was amazing. I had never felt so needy in my life. I miss him so much right now. I wish he were here. I touch the mark on my shoulder, feeling heat rush through me. I wonder what my friends would think of him. They’d probably gape at him with shock. He’s definitely a sight to behold. It’s scary how happy he makes me feel. Yet, with all of these cloak and dagger things happening in his life, I’m also scared of losing him.
Thankfully, I’m snapped out of my morbid thoughts when the doorbell rings. Sliding off the bed, I make my way downstairs. Maybe it’s Traeger. I think to myself, stopping in front of the mirror as I adjust the strings of my white summer dress. It’s my favorite dress because it makes my body feel curvy. Fluffing out my long brown hair, I open the door. There are two men with white hair standing on the front step. Both men are tall and solidly built. Wary, I move behind the door protectively. “Yes?” One of them moves closer and gives me a friendly smile, which puts me on edge. “Hello there, are your parents home?”
I gaze back down the hallway and calmly reply. “Who are you?” The men look at each other as if making a decision. One of them pushes the door hard before I can react and knocks me back against the wall. My head rings painfully, and my head pounds. As if he didn’t just knock me out, the other man strides in and grasps me by the arm. I try to kick them out, but they block my efforts. The other one pulls me by my hair, making my head snap back in pain. I try to pull my head away and cry when the hair rips away from my skull. Uncaring of my pain, he and his friend drag me to the front door. My ankles scrape against the ground, stinging and bleeding. Before he can push me into his car, I scream out, but he punches me in the face. It’s very difficult to stay awake at this point. Using the last of my energy, I kick out and try to crawl back to the house, but the man hits me again, and the world goes black.