Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

There were no more restraints that kept me away from him. There was no more shame or insecurity. Nothing mattered anymore but being by his side and giving him all the love in this world, telling him I forgave him for everything and needed him with me.

The therapist smiled pleasantly. “You may feel okay, but we need to make sure you actually are okay. It’s highly possible for you to sustain trauma after what you’ve gone through.”

I wanted to laugh at her. Or just laugh. Laugh, laugh, laugh. I’d felt like laughing ever since the paramedics applied the AED and his heart started beating again after going into cardiac arrest. He had actually been dead. For whole two minutes, he’d been dead, but the damage that had been done to my heart was permanent. I knew very well the pain of losing him now, and it was stamped into me for good. I never wanted to lose him again. I wanted to laugh until the pain and trauma were just a faint memory.

“Yeah, sure. But can we do that later? You can analyze me all you want after I see him. I haven’t even seen him yet.”

I hadn’t seen him since they rushed us to the hospital. I’d sat next to him in the ambulance, holding his hand as the paramedics talked about how lucky he was because the bullet had miraculously only grazed his head instead of hitting him, and all I could think about was the hilarious irony that had allowed him to keep living. If that bullet had been only a tiny bit lower, it would’ve hit his brain, and he would’ve been dead for good.

The bubbles of laughter rose up my throat, but I suppressed them because I knew if I started laughing now, I would burst into tears and never stop.

The bullet had only taken a piece of his skin, creating a wound on the top of his head that needed five stitches but wasn’t serious according to the doctors. He’d gone into cardiac arrest because of a chaotic heartbeat caused by shock, but because he had been resuscitated quickly, it appeared there was no brain damage. They had mentioned they would keep him under observation for a few days, after which he was free to go home. Free to continue living as if nothing had happened.

But it had happened, and it had marked us forever. It had ensnared us, only this time, we had each other to push through. And it was going to be okay. It had to be.

She sighed and pushed her glasses up her nose. “All right.” I jumped up out of the chair and grimaced when a dull pain pierced through my stomach. “But,” she went on, “I hope we’ll continue our conversation later.”

I nodded at her, already on my way out. “Sure.”

I’d barely stepped out of her office when I got pulled into a hug, and Mom’s brittle voice filled my ear. “You’re all right. Thank goodness.”

“Mom!” I leaned into her, unable to withhold my tears anymore. I cried in her arms, seeking her warmth and support like it was the only thing that shielded me from the hell of this world. I could’ve died and they could’ve lost me…

I clutched the fabric of her jacket. “I love you, Mom. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, sweetie. I love you the most in this world.” She kissed the top of my head, sobbing together with me.

I met Dad’s gaze over her shoulder. His usually stoic face was a picture of pain and fear now.

“We came as soon as we got the call,” he said as he pulled Mom and me into his embrace.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Mom asked, stepping away to inspect me for any injuries.

“Yes, I’m okay. I got hit in the stomach, but the doctor said it’s not serious.”

“Oh, sweetie.” She kissed my forehead. “Those horrible, horrible people.”

Dad’s brows pinched together in worry. “They told us you were kidnapped along with Mayor Jones’ son. I just got off the phone with Nathaniel, who confirmed it.”

“It’s true. They showed up in the school parking lot and took us.”

Mom grew pale. “The school parking lot!”

“Why did they target you?” Dad asked, assuming his lawyer stance.

I let out a long exhalation and sniffed a few times, brushing away my tears. As much as I wanted to give them all the details, it had to wait. I needed to see Blake.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later because I need to see him now.”

“Him?” Mom asked.

“Blake. He saved my life. I’ll see you later.” I turned on my heel, but then I stopped myself and looked at her over my shoulder. “He’s the boy you asked me about. He’s the boy I fell in love with.”

“What?” both my parents said simultaneously, but I didn’t elaborate, rushing to Blake’s room.

I’d just turned the corner when I saw Sarah, Melissa, Kevin, and Marcus coming in my direction. Their worried faces broke into relief when they saw me.

Mel pointed at me. “She’s not a ghost! She’s very much alive. We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

The sight of them brought on fresh tears, reminding me of everything I could’ve lost.

“You’re here,” I said.

Sar hugged me. “It’s okay. We’re here.”

Mel, Kev, and Marcus joined us, making it a group hug, and we all started laughing. My friends. My beacons in the dark.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Of course we’re here, silly!” Mel said when we separated. “Who would’ve thought you would join Sarah’s ‘kidnapped’ club?” She shook her head. “Those sons of cockroaches. They deserve to be cooked in the deepest pot of boiling water then thrown to rats.”

Sar squeezed my shoulder. “It’s all over now.”

“Are you okay?” Kev asked me. “Did th-they hurt you?”

I couldn’t really tell them my physical wounds didn’t compare to what I felt inside. So I just said, “Yes, I’m okay, but how did you know I was here?”

“A student saw them force you into your car,”