38. Kylie

Chapter thirty-eight

Kylie

A fter being jostled around, I struggle to wake. "Not yet." I tell Luca. I have a horrible headache and I've never been this exhausted. All I want is to fall back to sleep.

My next conscious thought comes when I feel my arms being tugged. Then the odor hits me. My stomach roils and I vomit. Someone is cursing, but I can't stop. The smell is so bad.

What's going on? Did I drink last night? What's that putrid stench? And why can't I open my eyes?

I take some steadying breaths, holding back my need to vomit again and finally manage to open my eyes.

Someone is moving me around like a rag doll, and when I try to sit, my limbs won't obey. Why do I feel so drained?

I catch movement above me. Hands are coming for my face and I can't react fast enough before someone puts tape over my mouth.

Blinking, I try to understand what's happening when pieces of images flash through my mind. Shit. I can't throw up again or I'll choke.

Panic sets in .

I roll my head to the side, searching for the person who put the tape on my mouth. Talia's leaning against a wall, her head sagging, hair covering her face, and she's completely still.

I hear something on my right and with great effort, I roll my head toward the sound.

Head swimming, it takes a minute for my vision to clear. It's the weird guy from downstairs. He's holding a phone and a flash blinds me. I blink to clear my vision when a cloth is put over my nose. Realizing what's happening, I struggle, but with my lack of strength, I'm no match for him.

My only thought is of Luca.