I felt my breath rush in and out in panic.

"Please don't leave me down here. I'm scared," I called up.

"That's the idea," he yelled back and moved away.

Twenty Five I felt my stomach bunch and cramp. So this must be the third or fourth day away from Caleb and they were going to let me sit in a well for days, testing a theory. And what would they do with me if it did break the imprint? Should I fake a broken imprint? Could they tell?

I sat for a long time, trying not to shake and jerk my muscles in pain because the sloshing of the water was driving me insane.

I listened to see if someone was up there waiting for me. I listened for their thoughts but got none. I tried to call Caleb but got nothing from him. After a few hours my teeth chattered so much that my jaw ached and I bit my tongue several times. I had an idea.

I spit my blood into the water around me and waited and waited. No glowing apparitions, nothing. I scolded myself for buying into his lame story and wanted to lie down so bad I could barely think. I couldn't lean back on the wall because the platform started to buckle.

Eventually, I gave in and began to cry again. All day, I sat there. I watched and felt the sun making its way across the sky but the water was so cold that I couldn't feel any warmth from it. Then the darkness came. I heard awful noises out there, animals yelling and howling, birds hooting and chirping. Breaking twigs. Crickets. It was excruciating. I couldn't sleep because I couldn't lay down. My eyes kept closing against my control and I laid my head on my knees but I fell over several times into the water, splashing it everywhere and wetting me more, making me colder so I eventually stopped trying.

Then morning came. The sun starting making it's was across the sky. In the light I could see the bricks were out of alignment in the well wall. I stood wobbly, holding the pulley rope for leverage and tried to set my foot on them and climb. I got a little footing but it was all so slimy and lined with algae that I never made it more than a step before I slid back down and scrambled to not fall further in the well. The last time I was reaching for a brick with one foot on and slipped, slicing my arm on the hard, dirty rocks.

My blood, once again dripped into the water beside me and I watched it in antic.i.p.ation, grimaced at it. It was stupid to believe maniacs.

I tried yelling again. I tried Caleb, reaching him. I was so exhausted, I could barely think. When it was almost so dark, I could barely see, I heard voices.

I hoped and prayed they were the voices I wanted, the Jacobson's, Caleb, but they weren't. I saw Marcus's face above me as he smiled.

"Dead yet?"

I slumped in defeat and wanted to scream as they began to pull me up. Two days. Two days they'd left me down here. All the water left me and I thought the warm air would help but it didn't, it made it worse. My skin burned and shivered at the same time. Whoever was pulling was jerking and pulling so forcefully that the board was banging on the walls, jabbing my muscles with the force. It felt like my bones were hitting against each other. I heard myself scream and whimper. My chest hurt with it. I screamed Caleb's name and thought it, begged for him to hear me.

When I reached the top, I rolled off the board and side of the well to land forcefully in the gra.s.s. I gasped and shook. I opened my eyes and saw that Sikes's wife wasn't there, but Marcus, his uncle and three other guys were. I wondered how they were going to help me without putting offense marks on me but, by the looks on their faces, they had no intentions of that anymore.

Marcus smiled cruelly at me and grabbed my arm, yanking me up before jerking his hand back hissing.

"That still stings as bad as it did the first time."

"Alright. We can't do this outside she'll make too much noise. Inside, now," Sikes barked.

Oh no. What- Then his thoughts were blaring to me. He was so, so mad. He didn't want to do this and, in fact, had no intentions of watching. He was going to let Marcus loose on me and see how many offense marks they could put on me at one time. See if it affected or drained me so much that it changed something. I couldn't have that. I shook my head.

"No. No, please stop," I begged Sikes's. Looked right at him to implore his humanity. "Please don't hurt me anymore. I'm only seventeen. I can't handle this anymore. It hurts so bad, please."

He looked away and repeated his order.

"Take her inside."

I screamed as Marcus came to grab me once more, wrapping a fist in my hair. Something silver and gleaming glinted in the light in his hand. I felt the sting and pressure across my shoulder and the edge of my throat before it registered what he'd done. He'd cut me, with a knife.

I flung my hand to my shoulder and felt the warm sticky mess in between my fingers. I also felt warm soaking up the front of my shirt.

"Marcus! NO!" Sikes's yelled and pushed him aside. "I did not give you permission to harm her with worldly goods, only supernatural! Finn, take her inside, now!"

I pushed at the one who came then they all came for me. I felt stings and slaps in several places all over me as they all tried to contain me but were jerking their hands back in pain themselves. I slung my arms out and my brain kicked in with karate maneuvers but my body had no strength behind it as I lamely fought back with feeble kicks and blocks.

I thought, if I could just hold them off, maybe something would happen. And then it did. One of the men, Finn I presumed, yelled and screamed, grabbed my arms and pulled me up to stand. He pulled me against his chest from behind and wrapped a hand around my mouth, still screaming in his own agony but determined to end this now. I bit his hand as hard as I could muster and he pushed me away in instinct, over the cliff's edge.

I heard yells and screams as I soared through the air. Sikes's roared above me as I fell, out loud and in his mind, "No!"

I looked down and saw only dark greens and blues moving rapidly towards me.

I landed in freezing ice water. Raging around me and swallowing me. I fought it but just like up on the cliff, I had no strength to actually make progress. So I just took a deep breath and let the current of the river take me. I floated roughly until I felt scratching and jarring on my legs. I looked up to see I was slamming into a downed tree, leaning over the river's bank.

I reached and pulled, slowly I managed to get myself half out of the water. I knew it wasn't smart to sit here in plain sight. I was sure that Sikes and his bunch would be looking for me. But my body wouldn't go any further. I pa.s.sed out with my top half on the dirty freezing bank and my bottom half submerged in tree branches and dirty freezing water.

I have no idea how much time pa.s.sed but it was dark when I woke up again. The pain that shot through me was like nothing ever before it. It coursed through me, on a mission to end me. I couldn't scream, I knew they were looking for me and it would lead them to me. Plus, I knew this was the Watson compound. Who knew how many of them lived out here but, I wanted to scream so badly. I fought it. My mouth opened in a silent scream as my body spasmed and bowed in reflex to the cramps, my fingers digging into the dirt. I contorted in on myself as I spat and coughed up river water when I tried to move up the bank and out of the freezing water.

I eventually pulled myself up completely out of the water and army crawled to the dry gra.s.s up pa.s.sed the beach. I rolled to lay on my back and tried to catch my breath.

I could see every star, just like that night at Mugly's with Caleb. Just like the beach the night I was taken. I imagined Caleb beside me, holding my hand and us just looking up at them so casually as we'd done before. My chest clinched as I thought of him. The stars bounced in my vision as my head pounded against the ground under it. I had to get to Caleb. I was free. I had to get moving.

I rolled back over and it took all my strength to stand. I started to walk as I continued to shiver. I felt twigs and rocks under me cut my feet and my arms scratched by pa.s.sing branches and I rammed through like a lump. I felt the gash in my arm break open when I fell to the ground once. I wrapped my fingers around it and kept going, ignoring the pain in my shoulder. The longer I walked the more I couldn't feel my toes or fingers. I had no way to warm myself and, after what seemed like several hours, felt my resolve slipping. I was going to die out here. If it wasn't by the Watson's hand it would be by the woods.

I didn't walk on the trails or the beach instead walking through the bushes and trees to hopefully keep anyone from seeing me. I was so exhausted, so in pain, but I kept going. I saw a shed or cabin ahead of me. I felt hope soar then plummet. I debated whether to go in or not. Who knew whose shed it was. It could be one of theirs and they'd find me there. I couldn't help it. I was freezing and had to get dry.

I pulled myself up the short hill to the top by some roots and vines. I crept up to the cabin, wincing when the stairs creaked under my feet. I peeked into the dark window and seeing no light decided to try the door.

Unlocked.

I eased it open and heard the lock rattling from my shaking fingers. I took a deep breath and swung the door open. The moon illuminated the room to show a small bed and kitchen. I searched for a light switch and found one by the door. The lights were bright and I quickly turned it off incase of alerting someone. I spotted a flashlight on the floor by the door and tried it instead.

As I looked around the cabin it was clear that no one had been there in forever. It was undecorated, unclean, and efficient. Across the room, the closet was full of clothes, jeans and coats. I immediately pulled off my soaking wet t-shirt and threw on a long ugly men's warm sweater. I took my jeans and laid them across the bedrail to dry. There was nothing to do for my cut and bleeding feet.

I walked over to the kitchen and found a stack of emergency candles all ready and lined up by the sink with matches. I lit a couple of them and then looked into the cupboard for something to eat. I found two cans of Vienna sausage - yuck- but I ate them quicker than I had any tasty burger I've ever had. There were a couple jugs of water by the sink too. They were unopened and smelled ok so I took a couple big swigs from one.

I felt ready to pa.s.s out again. My stomach was full but hurt for other reasons. I had no idea how to reach Caleb or where I was exactly, geographically, but I knew I had to find a way. In the morning, I'd be able to see and could find my way out.

But, when I looked at the bed I was skeptical about being able to sleep in it. It was old and dirty, dust and cobwebs everywhere, but I wasn't in a position to be picky. I decided to just sleep on the top cover and used a blanket thrown over the end to cover up with.

When I laid down I sighed. Who cared whose bed it was, it was like heaven. I balled myself up, pulling my knees to my chest and felt the shivers slowing just as I drifted to sleep.

Something startled me awake. I opened my eyes and was too terrified and anxious to think about the blinding pain hitting me. Someone was here.

I hobbled to the closet, grabbing my shirt and pants on the way. Once I sat down, I felt the full force of the withdrawal and it was all I could do not to scream. My stomach started to heave and cramp but somehow I managed to keep it together as I heard the front door creak open.

I held my breath and prayed I could keep myself calm as I waited for them to find me or not. My heart was beating against my ribs so hard, it hurt. Wait- My heartbeat.

The medicine was out of my system. Caleb could find me now! If I could only make it until he could get here. My joy sang in me even as I feared the worst of my intruder. The long cut on my throat and arm were pulsing and pounding painfully with my rapid heart but I was thankful for it. I peeked through the coats that hung in front of my face. I couldn't see who it was but they were looking around the room, like they were looking for something. I silently cursed myself for running to the closet instead of out the backdoor.

But I heard the voices calling to each other outside and was thankful for the closet. The man inside yelled something back and I held back my gasp. It was the guy who'd brought me orange juice and ogled me in my see through sheet.

c.r.a.p. They were here looking for me.

"Not here," he yelled and walked swiftly through the door.

I focused to see if I could hear Sikes's thoughts, if he was near and got nothing but when I thought of Marcus, I got a lot more than I wanted.

Stupid human. I'll kill her. And Sikes thinks he's just running things now. I have had it with this. When I find her I'm gonna teach her something about what a real Ace is. She'll wish she'd never met me. Maybe I'll show Caleb in an echo dream. Ha! That'd be freaking hilarious! Oh, no! Maggie I love you! Ha! Idiots. I'm so glad I'll never imprint and have to deal with that c.r.a.p. Just wait til I find you, little Maggie. You'll wish you'd died in the fall.

Oh, G.o.d help me. His mind was pure evil coated with malice. I shook myself and peeked out the closet. I fell out of it really because I was hurting so much. I breathed through it and managed to wiggle my jeans back on but threw the vampire shirt under the bed, just in case. I looked around for shoes but once again, found nothing.

I took a few more big gulps of water from the jug and then tried to reach Caleb. I called out to him in my mind. I didn't get him but I got flashes and glimpses, like before. That's when I realized I was doing it wrong. I shouldn't be trying to tune myself into Caleb like I had before, connecting us. I should try to read his mind, one way, like I had everyone else. That's what I could do now. So I did and I immediately heard him. He was talking to his father.

"I don't know, dad. Only about ten minutes ago but it's real. Let's go. Now," Caleb said vehemently.

"I know, son, and we will but we have to get everyone together. We can't just run half c.o.c.ked into the Watson complex. We need numbers."

"I know," Caleb sighed and banged his fist on the wall, leaving a mark in the plaster. "I can feel her, dad, she's terrified of something. What if someone is hurting her, right now?"

"You'd feel that. As soon as her heartbeat returned to you, so did your ability to tune into her body. If she's in pain, you'll feel it now. We'll get her back. I promise you that."

I saw Peter walk towards Caleb, thought it looked like he was walking towards me and hugged him. Caleb sighed harshly and patted his father's back roughly.

"We'll find her."

"Ok. Let's get things rolling. I'm dying here, dad. I'm not gonna be cool much longer if we don't go soon."

"They're already on the way here. Go sit and wait-"

"I can't!" he growled. "I can't just sit here and wait! I gotta do something. It hurts so bad...and I can feel her in me. She's hurting and... It's too much. It's-" He gasped and growled and kicked a chair that slammed into the desk across the room. "If they hurt Maggie, I'll kill them. I swear to-"

"I know." Peter grabbed Caleb around his shoulders. "I know, but you aren't going to help Maggie by losing it. We will get her back."

I pulled away from Caleb's mind. It was too painful to see him losing it like that. I had no idea how long it would take them to get here to the Watson compound and I knew they were already out looking for me. Should I stay here in the cabin or try to get to a road? I could open my mind, like I did before and then I could hear the thoughts of those near me and hide. It would work.

I peeked out the door slowly and cleared my mind, opened it wide and listened. I didn't hear anything so I inched my way down the porch, trying to not trip on my aching legs, and winced when my feet hit the gravel. I held the porch rail in one hand and lifted one foot to see a b.l.o.o.d.y mess on the sole. Great.

I started towards the woods again. The opposite way I had come before. It was so different during the day. I could see how thick and full the woods were which made me feel some better about being able to elude the Watson's.

I walked for a couple hours, hobbling, holding my stomach as it ached and burned. I had to stop a couple times to breath and try to talk myself into going forward. I just wanted to find the nearest rock and crawl under it. I had no idea how long it had been but I was thirsty, hungry and my vision was starting to blur and bounce again. It wouldn't be long and I'd pa.s.s out from the withdrawals, just like before.

I tried to find a large low tree to hide under so no one would find me when I did pa.s.s out. I saw a cave like thing under the cliff and knew that would be too obvious of a hiding place so I went around it. There were cliffs all around so I hoped and prayed this wasn't the same one I'd fallen from. On the other side of the cave was a large group of Christmas tree evergreens. I sighed in relief and went to go crawl under the low branches to wait out my sleep but as I pushed a large branch away I heard his thoughts just a second before I saw a man.

His eyes went wide as he saw me and in his mind he'd been looking for me. He was holding up his hands as if to say he meant me no harm. I knew better. I took off running. I could hear him behind me, gaining ground. I was a runner for crying out loud but my body couldn't keep up with my spirit. I held in my scream when I felt his arms go around me. He didn't tackle me like I thought he would.

"Maggie, wait. Don't scream."

I realized then that his arms were still around me and he wasn't burning me with an offense mark. I slowly turned and looked at him, brown curly hair and kind eyes.

"Caleb's here?" I squeaked.

He nodded.

"I'm Rodney, Caleb's cousin. I'm sorry I scared you."

I didn't care if he was the pope. He wasn't a Watson and that was gold to me. I collapsed in relief against him and felt him lift me in his arms. I went in and out of consciousness as he carried me swaying. He swiftly made his way, to where I didn't know. It wasn't too long before I heard yelling. I looked up thinking this man had somehow tricked me and taken me back to the Watson's but it was Peter and...Caleb.

I gasped and wiggled out of Rodney's grasp. He put me down easily and steadied me. I tried to run but couldn't. Caleb grabbed me before I hit the ground and the aches and pains left my body with a harsh sigh from us both as we collided and wrapped our arms around each other. Then there was a burst of energy all around us as our skin made contact for the first time in days.

I saw Peter and a few others behind him fall to the ground behind Caleb, like they'd been knocked back by some force or invisible trip wire. A few were pushed back mid air as they ran our way. The energy was visible, in streams of iridescent blues and it seemed to flow through my skin. I lifted my arm to see the ribbons making there way through one side of my hand and out of the other.

I gripped Caleb's neck tightly in my fingers and felt his grip on my back tighten.

"What's happening?" I whispered.

"I don't know," he spoke into my hair "but I don't care."

He kissed me softly all over my face, my lips the most. I could barely stand and he held me up as he let me feel everything in him, all his worries and anger and longing. Or maybe I was just able to feel it now because of the ascension.

"Yes," Caleb answered me. "I told you you'd be able to feel everything from me after the ascension without even trying." He pushed my hair back from my face and made a pained face from seeing offense marks around my mouth. I grimaced wondering what the rest of me looked like and smelled like. He chuckled and shook his head. "I don't care. I have you back and that's all that matters. I'm sorry I didn't get to you first. A few of the family who were closer got here before us. I told them where you were."

"That doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're here."

"I'm here," he agreed and pulled me closer by my shirt front. He saw the angry red slash across my neck and shoulder and at first he blared hot fury as he ran his fingers across it scowling and growling low in his throat. Then he perked up and the sides of his mouth turned up, making me wonder what in the world had just happened. Then he looked back to me and smiled happily. "And now. I can do this."

He closed his eyes and concentrated. One by one I felt the offense marks on my body and face, the slice down my arm from the well wall and the bruises and cuts on my feet tingle and burn away. The long cut across my shoulder burned for a second before searing away to nothing. Then the cold left my body as well. I was filled with warmth and a glow of rightness. This was exactly where I was supposed to be.

"Caleb," I said and he sighed and pulled my face to his, our noses touching.

"I have missed hearing you say my name."

"Me too."

"Ok, I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"What about the Watson's? They were out here looking for me this morning."

He pulled back and looked at my face seriously.

"You saw them?"

I nodded.

"I hid in a cabin in the woods last night."

"Wait- What? We thought they let you go because they knew we were coming for you?"

I bit my lip and tried to block that part instantly from my mind so he wouldn't see. Should I show him everything they did to me?

He growled at my thoughts.

"What they did to you? What do you mean? Show me, right now, Maggie," he ordered gruffly.