I cringe and try to cover my eyes as the bright light covers the room, the blaring sun making sleep impossible. I groan as I uncurl myself and wipe the sleep from my eyes. My throat is parched so I shuffle off the bed and enter the small ensuite bathroom opposite the bed and drink from the rusting tap, uncaring as the water falls down my cheek into the sink.
My face looks blankly back at me in the dirty mirror over the sink as I shove water onto my face. I grip the white basin hard as the memories of last night take hold of me, the fear and frustration welling up inside. I shake my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts of those guys hands on my skin, the bag covering my head. I hold my belly, protecting my lungs as it still makes me breathe too heavily at the thought of that claustrophobic bag suffocating me.  

I jump as a knock comes from the door and I run into the main area as the door opens and Leah, Jason and the scrawny auburn haired guy from before walks in. Jason carries a pile of clothing while the other guy is carrying a tray of toast and an apple.
“This is Walt by the way” Leah explains, indicating to Walt who puts the tray on the table.
“How did you sleep?” Jason asks as he closes the door.
“What do you think?” I scowl back. What a stupid question. What does he think I'll say, ‘Oh, I slept great surrounded by dangerous people who could easily kill me in my sleep actually.’
Though to be honest, I did fall asleep at one point but they don’t need to know that.

 “Where’s Brooke?”
Leah sighs and nods for Jason to put the clothes down. “By the time we got to your apartment, she was already dead.”
“You’re lying” I strangle out. “There’s no way. No way. I saw her yesterday.”
“I assume they went there looking for answers after we grabbed you and found her.”
My knees give out and I fall to the wooden floor in a heap. I shake my head, willing the words to be false.
“She can’t be. She can’t be…” I repeat again and again, praying they’re wrong.
My body is wracked with shakes as my eyes well up.
“I am sorry. Even if you don’t believe that.”
“I don’t” I shout at Leah. “She would still be alive if you hadn’t interfered!”
“You’re telling me you wish Brandon had grabbed you?” Leah’s cold voice cutting with venom.
“Yes! She’d still be alive!” I scream. I throw myself at Leah, ready to gauge her eyes out, uncaring if she hurts me but Jason is suddenly there, holding me back, not that it takes much, his large body easily enveloping mine as I frantically struggle.
“Calm down, Valerie. We really were going to bring Brooke back” Jason says calmly.
I wrestle in his grip. “Liar! You’re all liars!” 

Jason holds me till I fall slack in his grip, exhausted myself with my fit of emotion. “Please, I can't let her be dead. Please.”
“I’m sorry. Let’s go” Leah says, about to exit the room.