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Finally the punishment is over. I did the whole 24 hours straight. The workout has left my body sore as hell, but I'm not even going to try to complain about that because I already know that the aching I'm feeling right now, is nothing compared to the pain Kamaria must be feeling. Her pain is probably a thousand times worse than mine right now.

Now that I'm finally finished, I can begin my plan to save Kamaria, well, first I have to talk with Abigail and see how she's doing.

My plan is so close to being full proof, I just need to be absolutely sure that Abigail is okay, after all, That was the sole purpose of Kamaria's whole mission, she'd kill me if I saved her before ensuring Abigail's safety.

"I'll be back later" I inform the buff guy that had watched me throughout the punishment. I walk out the door, attempting to wave, but end up swerving my arm spastically when the soreness came tumbling in.

He doesn't reply, simply stares at me blankly.

I exit the building and immediately turn to my sweet ride, popping the door open and sliding inside. Without a single glance back at the well hidden building, I press my foot against the gas pedal, letting out a sigh of relief when I'm out of the parking lot. It's true that if I want to go through with my plan, I'm going to need this place's help, but that doesn't mean I like it.

Now, it's time to go visit Abigail.

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"It's been great seeing you and all Jake...but can I please see Bethany now?" Abigail pleads, her voice weak, just like her body.

I nervously scratch the back of my neck, darting my eyes anywhere but at her. It doesn't take her long to figure out something's wrong, and as soon as she does, she shoots her hand out quickly, finding mine and grasping it tightly in hers, making me look over into her worried, sad eyes.

"Jake, what happened? Where's Beth?" Abigail asks, the alarm in her voice trumping over every other emotion.

"Well I-she uh...I don't really.." my voice trails off, as I realize I'm not really sure how to tell her that her best friend saved her right before risking her own life and being captured by the very same thing that kidnapped, tortured, and abused Abigail.

"Just freaking say it!" Abigail exclaims as loudly as she can, which isn't very loud at all due to her weak state. Her voice was sharp and demanding and I knew it was best to just tell her, no matter how much I was going to dread it.

"Okay okay" I say, raising my hands up in surrender. Taking a deep breath, I let out the words I prayed I'd never have to say. "Kamaria asked me to bring you to the hospital. She said that she would take care of Slyder and that I could help her out once I got you to safety. I-I didn't get there quick enough. By the time I got there, Slyder had already kidnapped her..." I was interrupted by Abigail

"Why is everyone mentioning Kamaria, I don't know who that is. Slyder told me he was going to kill her and he was using me as bait, but I don't even know a Kamaria." she took a shaky breath trying to contain the tears as she thought back to what Slyder had done. "I am so confused I don't understand what is going on around here and I just want to know what happened to Bethany" she sounded absolutely defeated and was on the verge of tears.

"Abigail... Bethany s-she is Kamaria" I let the words hang like an elephant in the room. Her breath hitches as she looked at me like I had gone mad. I can tell she's trying to process what I just said and take all of this new information in.

"Wait so if Beth is Kamaria, that means Slyder kidnapped Beth because you left her to save me?" At first, she looks like she's going to cry, but then suddenly, a look of pure anger flashes in her eyes. She looks over to me, her face red with fury.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" She growled, sitting upright. "Why the hell would you leave Bethany all alone to fight some psychotic serial killer?" She barks angrily. She didn't need to be loud for me to feel her anger, it rolled off her tongue with each word she threw at me.

I open my mouth to explain that Kamaria needed her to be safe, when she interrupts.

"You should have sent Beth or Kamaria-whatever her name is-to bring me to the hospital and you should have faced Slyder yourself." She heaves "you're such a freaking coward. You were too scared to face Slyder yourself so you sent your strengthless little girlfriend instead! I seriously hope you feel like the douchey bastard you are!" she fumes. She was madder than I've ever seen her, she was livid, and all that anger was directed at one thing, me.

Each and every word she speaks feels like knives stabbing me deeper and deeper. I almost start to defend myself, but then I realize that she was right. I should have sent her to bring Abigail to the hospital, I shouldn't have ever put her in harm's way. I never should have given Slyder the opportunity to hurt Kamaria.

Where's life's rewind button when you need it? Where the hell is it? Man, what I would do to have that. Just to rewind this one mistake, the one mistake that has the potential to kill the woman I love.

Why do I have to be such an idiot?

"Oh my God, are you crying?" Abigail gasps.

"The hell? No" I deny, turning my head away from her to hide the single tear that escaped me. It didn't count, that tear I mean. I haven't had sleep in 24 hours, it was just a tired tear, that's all. I'm still a man, I still have my parts to prove it, I swear.

Abigail sighs lightly as her tears began rolling down her cheeks two at a time. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said, I know you did what you did to respect Beth's wishes. She's a stubborn bish, she probably wouldn't have accepted it any other way but her way" Abigail admits with a humorless chuckle.

"Abigail, I'm really sorry. I regret my decision more than you'll ever know. But I promise you, I will save her before it's too late." I assure her as confidently as I can muster.

Abigail doesn't look fully convinced but she nods her head. "Thank you Jake" she whispers. Her voice breaking lightly as she speaks.

Suddenly a thought comes to mind, so random, I'm not even sure where it came from, but now I'm wondering it and I can't stop. So I decide to ask.

"Why uh-why did you date me?" I question hesitantly.

Abigail rubs both her hands against her face with a low growl. "Beth said the same thing, but honestly, what the hell are you talking about? No offense, but I would never date you...like ever. I mean I always thought you were hot, and I'd joke with Beth about dating you, I'd even flirt around with you a little, but that was mainly just to show Beth that she likes you. but I'd never actually do it. It would break the number one rule" She states confusedly.

I feel my eyebrows furrow as the confusion begins taking over my brain. What? She's kidding right?

I focus my mind reading her brain and begin stumbling back when I realize she's telling the truth.

That explains so much.

It explains what Kamaria was talking about when she accused me of erasing Abigail's memory, and why I felt so weird and uneasy around Abigail.

The day that Abigail had come up to me, it makes perfect sense now.

There was loud knock at my front door, I pull myself out of my workout to answer. Instantly I felt a strange twinge in my stomach, a sort of sick feeling, I pushed it off as hunger, and open the door. "Sup cutie" Abigail winks, smirking at me with a small twinkle of mischief in her eyes. I give her a bored look over "what do you want?" I ask, crossing my arms as I lean against the doorframe "Date me" Abigail instructed simply. I was taken aback by not only her forwardness, but also her request, or I suppose I should say demand. "And why the hell would I do that?" I ask. Abigail smiles "look, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that you like Bethany, and if I know Bethany, than I know that it's only when something is taken away from her that she realizes how much she cared for that something, or in this case, someone. So pretend to date me for a few days, I'll talk you up to her and she'll finally realize how badly she wants you" Abigail explains easily, waiting for my answer. A million thoughts run through my head at this moment. Do I even want Kamaria to date me? No. There's no point in dating her, because I'll be leaving soon and never see her again. Although it was pretty fun to watch her 'secretly' fume over me making out with that one chick. Maybe she'll get jealous enough that she'll try to steal me away, and if she's trying to steal me away, than she's willing to do some stuff. Why would uh what's her face...Alison? Want to risk ruining her friendship? "Come on Jake, you know you want to. When she's desperate, she's willing to go pretty far...if you know what I mean" Abigail hints. I don't know though, I might feel kind of bad tricking her, I wouldn't want to deceive her, then she'd be all disappointed and angry with me and...wait, what the hell am I thinking? I clear my throat trying to regain some of my normal casual aloofness "fine, the desperate ones are the most fun" I shrug, looking away, but I can't help the feeling that I'm doing something I probably shouldn't. Abigail grins "sounds like a plan. Come on over to my house, she's over there right now" I sigh reluctantly but follow Abigail anyways. "Get on my bike" I instruct as I slip on. Abigail hesitates for a moment, then follows suit and slides on behind me, wrapping her arms around me. Instantly a strange feeling courses through my whole body, something wasn't right. I quizzically glance behind me at Abigail and have to blink a couple of times when I think I see Slyder. Abigail smiles at me, tilting her head. Suddenly a slow noise buzzes from the back of my head, growing by the second until it's all I hear. I squeeze my eyes shut until the feeling drifts away a few moments later. I look around for a moment, unsure. "Something wrong?" Abigail asks, "babe" she adds. I clear my throat, giving my head a light shake "nope, all good, let's go" and with that we drove off, the feeling never quite leaving.

"How could I have been so stupid?" I growl, slamming my palm against my forehead.

Abigail frowns, but says nothing as she watches me with a confused expression.

I sigh deeply, utterly ashamed of my own stupidity. Of course it wasn't Abigail, how could I have been so gullible?

Wait a minute.

Wait one fucking minute.

Holy shit.

That means I kissed Slyder

I run into the bathroom, just barely making it to the toilet before vomit pours out my mouth. I made out with Slyder. I can't stop the bile from pouring out my mouth.

I wipe my mouth. My mind racing uncontrollably. I don't know what emotion I feel more, disgust or regret. I shake my head and stand up. My mind still racing with this new information but I don't have time to stand around and think about it. I walk out of the bathroom and start to leave. "I have to go" I tell Abigail, pausing in front of her bed for a moment. I'm about to ask her if there's anything she needs before I go when she speaks.

"hey Jake" she asks softly

"hmm" I reply.

"Beth mentioned finding a guy at the hotel she said she couldn't leave without him... did he survive also?"she asked wondering that if she was so close to death what the other guy would be like.

"What guy?" I asked confused. I didn't know anyone else was there.

"I think his name was Adelram" she says

If I wasn't in the situation that I was I would have laughed. "umm yeah... he survived" I said not sure how much change she can handle in her fragile state.

"Jake what aren't you telling me? I don't want to be left in the dark anymore, I just want to know what is going on here" she demanded and I let out a sigh

"I am Adelram it is my real name I just use Jake when I'm away from home because it doesn't bring as many questions or attention to it. Kamaria and I are from the same place but she never lived there, her real mom died and her aunt took her here to protect her, Brenda is Kamaria's Aunt and has raised her as her own. Kamaria just recently learned all of this while you were already kidnapped. I came to town to protect Kamaria and to save her from slyder." I rant, informatively.

"Wait what!" she exclaimed her jaw dropping as she took in the new information I just told her. "So wait let me get this straight, Beth is actually Kamaria, and you are actually Adelram, and Beth's mom isn't Beth's mom and her real mom died? But how did she never know and why did she change her name? Why did she leave her home and why did you come to save her?" she seemed to be on overdrive and I looked at my watch realizing I didn't have enough time to explain it more.

"I'll explain it at another day okay... it is a long story and we don't have a lot of time." I glance down at my watch again to see that I'm already twenty minutes past when I had planned to leave here. "Look, I gotta go, will you be alright here?" I ask Abigail, my mind reeling with this new information, trying to trade it with my old, false info.

Abigail nods "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me, just focus on saving Beth and when you both come back you can explain everything to me" she assures confidently, her voice softening as she lays back down.

I nod taking a few deep breaths before turning around and waking to the door. Just as my hand grasps the doorknob, I hear Abigail softly call out my name.

"Yeah?"

"Make sure Slyder gets what he deserves"

I feel a small tug at the corner of my lips.

Oh don't worry, I'll make sure of it.

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"May I help you?" Brenda asks as she looks confusedly towards me.

It's obvious that she's been crying by her puffy eyelids, tear stained cheeks, and bloodshot eyeballs.

I realize at this moment that Brenda has never actually met me before now.

"Hello, my name is Adelram, I'm a friend of Ka-er-Bethany's" I introduced, hesitating on what name I should call her by. I watch as her face suddenly lights up, a small glint of hope sparkling in her pale green eyes.

"Oh come in, come in" she insists, opening the door wider and gesturing me to go inside the house. I obey and follow her over to the living room where there's crumpled up balls of tissue littered all over the coffee table and filling the small trash can next to it.

She eagerly sits on the couch cross legged, facing towards me when I sit down beside her.

"Do you know where she is? Is she okay? Has she been with you this whole time? Where is she now?" Brenda interrogates, one question tumbling out as soon as the one before is out.

I run a hand through my hair as I consider the many different ways to respond to these questions.

"I do not know exactly where she is, though I do have some idea. She has been with me for most of this time that she's been gone, but she isn't at the moment. And, I-I don't really know where she is now" I admit. Clearing my throat as I take in a deep breath, dreading telling Brenda what has happened to Kamaria.

Brenda opens her mouth to no doubt ask a couple more questions, but I interrupt, not wanting to have to awkwardly answer more questions I don't know the answer to.

"You know about Slyder, correct?" I ask, blurting the question of before I can stop myself.

Just like that, Brenda's mouth closes and a look of pure terror morphs her facial features. She slowly nods her head.

Oh no. Please do not tell me Slyder has kidnapped my baby. No no no no no. Brenda thinks.

I take another deep breath, trying to still my shaking hands. "Your daughter, Kamaria-" her breath hitches at the name "she's been kidnapped, by Slyder" I inform her.

I inwardly cringe when tears form in her eyes, her breathing fast and erratic.

I reach forward and rest my hand on her shoulder, awkwardly trying to comfort her, and she openly accepts, resting her head on my chest and crying.

"Oh my gosh, how did this happen? I thought we were safe from him. How did he even know about her?" She cries, her voice so sad and hurt that it was hard to listen to.

"I don't know" I admit, still unsure of it myself. I don't say anything as I uncomfortably try to comfort and hold Brenda, letting her cry softly in my shirt.

Suddenly, Brenda sits upright, a stoic look on her face.

She stands up and let's out a deep breath. "No. I'm not doing this anymore. I've sat around crying like this for days now, and I'm sick of these dang tears. Tell me what I can do to help you on your quest to save Kamaria" Brenda demands defiant.

Taken aback by her sudden strong, defiance attitude, all I can do is gape at her for a moment. "How-how did you know I was going to save Kamaria?" I ask, stuttering slightly, still shocked.

Brenda purses her lips "I'm not stupid you know. I know that you're only here to protect Kamaria. I knew from the minute you moved in next door. That's the reason I was so eager to get Kamaria to go over and meet you. Don't ask me how I know, you can just call it mother's instinct. Now enough about that, I'm not looking to sit around here crying about something I know I can help with. Crying isn't going to help Kamaria, now tell me what is" she demands, a look of pure defiance and stoicism set in her features.

I feel my jaw drop slightly. I can't help but admire her for her strong and sure attitude. I shake my head lightly and run a hand through my hair, relieved that I wouldn't have to give some empowering and influential speech to talk Brenda into going along with my plan, she was ready without me even having to mention it.

It's not hard to see why Kamaria admires and loves her mother so much. She always wanted to be just like her, and now I know why.

"Well that's great, it's actually why I came here" I say, standing up.

"Perfect, tell me the plan, I'm in" Brenda states.

Get the information on where Slyder's hide out is from the ESPP database, check.

Make sure Abigail is safe and comfortable, check.

Get Brenda's help and aid in my plan, check.

Now all that was left was to save Kamaria. Slyder, here we come.

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