I lick my dry lips as the two officers stare at me. After giving them my name they didn’t find anything on me and now they’ve asked if there’s someone they can call. The nice woman, Sherri, hands me a glass of water and I take a big gulp before handing it back to her. I try to clear my dry throat and I wonder how many miles I ran until I found that little store. They called the women’s shelter to come and get me and basically saved my life.
Everyone’s been nice since they brought me here and it’s put me at ease. Apparently I wasn’t the first girl who ran away, but I have a feeling from how the cops are acting that the other girls wouldn’t talk to them.
When I said who they should call they all looked a little shocked. They acted as though they knew who he was and maybe while I’ve been gone Reed made it big. He was good at football, but I only made it one season cheerleading before I decided I’d rather be in the stands cheering with Kathy and Mike. I always wondered what he might be doing with his life since I’ve been away and maybe that’s it.
I wanted him to be happy, but the selfish part of me hated the idea of him moving on without me. We were supposed to have a life together and it was going to be the two of us forever. What if he’s married or has kids now? The thought overwhelms me and I begin to sob.
“You’re safe,” Sherrie tells me again for the millionth time.
She thinks I’m crying over my escape or that I fear going back. I’ll never want to go back, but today I’ll find out how much that place has taken from me.
I look down at the scrap of a wedding dress I’m wearing. I would never marry another man besides Reed because he’s the only love I’ll ever have. I don’t care if I can have him or not, I’ll never want anyone else.
The day my dad died was bittersweet. I became fair game to any man in that crazy cult he had us living in. I was being forced to marry to the leader Eugene Mass, and that’s when I had to run. Death would’ve been better than belonging to him and I still can’t believe I made it out of there alive.
“Reed Sanders,” the officer says again, making sure I said the name right. I nod and the phone rings. “Ah yeah, she’s right in front of me.” He’s silent for a moment as his eyes come back to me. “No, sir, we won’t let her out of our sight.” My eyes widen for a moment at his words. Am I in trouble? He hangs up the phone and looks at me with curiosity. “Seems he’s already on his way here.”
“Thank you.” I had no doubt Reed would come. Of course he would, I just wonder if he’s still mine. “Did you want to go ahead and question me?”
I fidget with my fingers in my lap. They wanted to know everything about Lando Movement. The two officers who came to the shelter to talk to me kept calling it a cult. They’re not wrong.
“We’ve been advised not to ask you anything until Mr. Sanders gets here.”
“Reed’s dad is coming, too?” I missed him and Kathy so much; they were my family.
My eyes start to water as the loneliness threatens to swallow me whole. Since the day my dad took me away from them it’s all I’ve felt.
“I meant Reed Sanders, ma’am,” he corrects.
“Oh.” I look to Sherrie, who is watching me. “Why?” I finally ask when no one says anything else. I want to answer their questions so I can be done with it. I don’t want that place taking any more time from me then it already has.
“It’s what our captain told us.” He shrugs one shoulder. “And if you’re connected to Reed Sanders, then…” He makes a motion with his hand as if I should understand. The look on my face must show him that I don’t. “He’s done work with the government. He’s a very high-level consultant, and I like my job.”
My eyebrows pull together in confusion. Reed is working for the government? He was built like a jock, but he was more into technology than anything when we were growing up, so I guess it’s not surprising.
I go to ask another question because I’m unable to help myself, but as I do the door to the room flies open. I jerk my head to see who it is and all the air leaves my lungs when I see Reed standing there.
His eyes find mine and for a moment, time stands still. He looks the same but different, and it’s hard for me to figure out what it is. His boyish soft face has chiseled out and now he’s a man.
“Dimples?” The word comes out in a question, and I wonder if he’s thinking about how different I am. How many times had I dreamed of seeing him again?
He takes a step into the room and before I know what’s happening I’m in his arms. I don’t know who moved first, him or me, but I wrap myself around him tightly. I bury my face in his neck and breathe in his familiar scent. It’s the same as before and reminds me of a home I’d thought I’d never have again.
“Please look at me.” Reed’s voice is filled with pain as I lean back. It’s then I realize he’s sat down in the chair and I’m in his lap with his big hands cupping my cheeks. “God, I’ve missed you.”
I open my mouth to tell him the same, but his lips crash down on mine. He doesn't demand entry, only presses his mouth against me, holding me there for a moment. I close my eyes and soak it in. For the first time in a long time I feel safe and I know nothing can happen to me.
“Maybe we should go,” I hear Sherrie say, reminding me where we are.
“We should go,” Reed says, and his warm breath is against my lips.
“We need her statement, sir. I’m sure she wants to press charges.” There is hope in the officer’s words that I will.
Reed’s eyes narrow and I actually see his pupils dilate. Tension fills his strong body, and though he didn't go pro with football, he’s still must work out a lot to be so big.
“Did they hurt you?” His eyes roam over my face and he leans back to get a better look at me. “You’re smaller.”
“I think you’re bigger.” I try to tease him, but he doesn't smile.
“No one hurt me. They just wouldn't let me leave,” I admit, trying to put him at ease. He must already know some details of what happened and where I’ve been.
I’d taken a few hits here and there, but I learned quickly to follow the rules and to try and blend in. I said what they wanted to hear, but the whole time I was trying to find a way to get out. My dad kept a close eye on me no matter what I said to him. I even tried to pretend that I was a believer in our leader, but I don't think he ever bought it. When I was chosen for marriage there was no faking it anymore. I had to get out or die trying.
“Do you want to give a statement?” he asks.
“I didn't think I had a choice.” What I want is to lay my head on Reed’s chest and sleep.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll pick you up and walk you right out of here and we’ll be home in no time.”
“Home.” The word makes me want to cry. I glance at the police officers and can tell they want to protest.
Reed’s hand comes to my chin and he makes me look at him. “Home,” he confirms.
I know he means what he says. Something about Reed is different than I remember. His dominance fills the room and whatever he says goes.
“I want to go home, but I have to do this. If it helps take them down, then I need to do this,” I tell him.
“Alright,” he agrees and he stands us up. Panic rises in my chest and he takes my hand. “I’m not going anywhere, Dimples. Breathe.”
He sits back down and takes me with him and I relax again. It feels like when we’d take a walk and I’d lie in his arms in the afternoon and he’d hold me while the sun would set.
“Let’s get started,” Reed tells them, and they begin.
He holds me while I tell them about the last five years of my life. I start with the day my dad took me and then what it was like living there. I tell them about when my dad died, and even about my escape because of the impending marriage to the leader. They ask the most questions about him and any details I can give.
I can feel Reed’s moods shift with every story I tell, ranging from anger to sadness and—I’m pretty sure—jealousy when he hears about the marriage stuff. Also the fact that I’m still in a wedding dress while I sit here doesn’t make it any better.
I talk for what feels like hours and sometimes I have to repeat myself. I know they’re trying to get as much as they can, but it’s exhausting. I lay my head on Reed and think about closing my eyes for a moment.
I jerk when I feel movement and realize I must have nodded off for a second.
“We’re done. You’ve got all you’re getting today. You can come see her tomorrow or send me the questions. It’s time for her to go home,” Reed tells the officers as he stands with me in his arms. I don’t protest, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carries me out of the room and down the long hallway.
When we step outside I see three black SUVs lined up. The one in the middle has two men wearing black suits standing outside of it and they look like FBI. One of them opens the back door and Reed slides in, keeping a tight hold on me as the door closes behind us.
“Who are they?” I ask him. My eyes feel heavy with exhaustion.
“Security,” he says simply. As if it’s normal to have three SUVs worth of security.
“You have security now?”
“They’re here for you.” I feel the SUV move and I wonder how far we are from wherever we are going. I don’t know where Reed lives now, but it doesn't matter. I’m where I want to be.
He kisses the top of my head and I let out a small sigh as I soak in his affection.
“We’ll be there in ten minutes, sir. Traffic is clear.” Reed nods and I laugh, unable to help myself.
“Care to tell me what's so funny?” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I was just thinking I don’t know what you do now, but whatever it is, you must have money.”
“We do, but why would that be funny?”
“Because I think if you were rich when we were kids you would have hired a bodyguard for me then, too.” I laugh a little more, thinking back to high school and what it would have been like.
“The school wouldn't let me.” I laugh harder and I feel him give a laugh, too. I let my eyes fall closed once again and pray that when I open them this won’t have been a dream.