Author's note: if you encounter any plot holes, just point them out. There are probably so many in this book, I'm soooo sorry, since I took many breaks I keep forgetting many things that happened and since there is also a time jump, it's even harder. Plus it doesn't help that I'm rewriting the first book for publication and changing many things so I have to remember such similar projects but also remember the differences. I do outline and annotate some stuff but I'm extremely busy and stressed out so it's still messy. Have patience, I'll fix them up eventually!

——Derek's POV——

I call Dominic's number and I'm going to beat him up if he doesn't answer. I don't care that it's 3 am.

The phone rings a few times and I feel like throwing it out of the moving car.

He answers and I give him no time to talk.

"They kidnapped Veronica, for fuck's sake, Dominic, they sent me a v- video and she was all bruised and terrified-" I smash the steering wheel with my free hand.

"What?!" he yells in a raspy morning voice and I feel like I'm losing all the patience I don't have.

"Wait, where are you, I'm coming-"

"I'm picking you up. I don't even know where to start looking. I know nothing about them except-" I try to explain but he talks over me.

"Let's just try with Felix's house."

"It's been so long, they don't use it anymore." I sigh annoyed as I take my hands off the steering wheel when the street is clear and I run it through my short hair frustrated. "But let's go."

I drive over the speeding limit, the police might stop me, and considering my record, they won't let me go easily, but screw it. I'll kill them all if I'll have to.

"Send me the video."

"You don't want to see it, believe me." My voice cracks.

"Send it, I'll check to see where they could be."

I send him the video and he hangs up to prepare for what's to come. There is no easy way out with those people, they won't let go without someone dying, and I know who they want dead in front of my eyes.

My phone starts ringing again after just a few seconds I sent the video to Dominic, and my heart jumps out of my chest when I notice it's a number I don't have saved on my phone. Fuck. Please, not again.

I answer the call.

——Irène's POV——

After Veronica left, I tried to follow her but I had to find my keys and she was already gone. I suspected she went home to her mom, but most likely Derek.

She isn't the type to give up when she loves someone.

I was right about Alexander, it is no surprise but it still feels damn good to be right all the time.

When I came back to the dorm, Nicole woke up to ask me where I went and if I talked to Veronica.

Soon after Dominic called Nicole.

What confused me was that she did go to Derek's apartment and she left but her car is still there.

I'm laying wide awake in my bed, trying to sleep, but I can't. I keep thinking about how weird it is. Maybe Alexander came to get her and they left somewhere else? She is clearly not on campus.

I stand up quickly and I pick up my shoes near the bed. Fuck sleep.

I take a few glances at Nicole, she fell asleep. She isn't used to staying awake this long. I can't remember the last time I had a good night of sleep, when I fall asleep it never lasts long.

I walk to Alexander's dorm and I don't bother to knock, their door is never locked anyway. I open the door and Alexander and his roommate are both sleeping almost naked, one of the bunk beds is empty. I don't know his roommates and I don't care enough to find out.

"Wake up, idiot," I whisper as I walk to Alex and I pull down his cover.

He jerks his eyes open and I laugh, running my eyes over his body for a few seconds. He doesn't look bad, but he isn't my type.

My type is anyone that has a vagina.

"What are you doing here..." he murmurs in a raspy tone and I smirk.

"I came here for you," I sit on the bed near him and he looks at me confused. He hates me, but he would never reject me. He covers his lower body with the cover again.

'All that love' he thinks he has for Veronica is more an obsession because he can't have her.

"I find that really hard to believe," he chuckles still both asleep and turned on.

"Yeah? So get the fuck up, and tell me where Veronica is," I say through gritted teeth as slow as I can, trying to not wake up his roommate.

"You aren't scary at all."

"I am not trying to be," I explain surprised that he would even think that.

I hover over him, running my fingers on his neck. My hair falls on his chest and I lower my mouth to his ear.

"But my family is."

"I bet your dad will appreciate the video of his daughter fucking James Carson."

I laugh.

"Come on, be original. You really think he hasn't seen it yet?" I smile innocently.

"You're sick-"

"Bla bla. Where is Veronica?"

"I don't know. Haven't seen her since we kis-"

"No, no, no." I click my tongue. "You harassed her. That sounds more right."

He rolls his eyes. "She wanted it."

I press my fingers onto his crotch, the nails scratching against his thing and he whines in pain.

"You wanted it."

He stands up and he walks to the door, making me follow him out of the room.

"You are fucking sick in the head, Irène, do you get it? You are psychotic," he yells in my face in the hallway and I can finally let out a good laugh without bothering that I wake up the other idiots.

"I'm going to end you one day, remember it," he threatens me, and I almost yawn.

"So, you haven't seen her?" I sigh disappointedly. "You're useless. Go back to sleep." I turn on my heels and leave towards the stairs.

He swears in disbelief behind me but I don't turn. Soon after I hear his door open and he gets inside.

Clearly, she isn't with Alex, but it was quite obvious from the start. She is scared of him now.

I just wanted to torture him for a bit.

But I'm not done.

I pick up the phone and call Dominic.

He doesn't pick it up, not even on the third ring. Is he sleeping when Veronica could be in danger?!

Maybe she took a cab... but she should be home by now. Or maybe she went to a bar... but she doesn't have the fake ID. She said she wouldn't do stuff like that anymore and threw it away, but I just picked it up and kept it in my closet.

The clock marks three and half AM. The exhaustion is getting to me and I want to lay on the bed so badly.

I walk towards Shanice's room. She will give me Derek's number whether she wants it or not.

The security guard might hear us, she is definitely the type to scream.

I laugh at my double-meaning thought and I walk to her dorm. Let's hope I don't scare her roommates too.

I stand in front of her door and I try to slowly open it but it's locked.

Well, fuck it.

I knock harshly on it, not caring at all about waking up the whole dorm hall.

After approximately one minute, one of the roommates opens the door, visibly livid.

"What the hell is wrong with you-"

I look behind her and I see Shanice.

Shanice covers her face with her hand and sighs annoyed.

"Don't worry, Marissa, I'll talk to her."

She is wearing a tight grey Pajama and I inappropriately check her out.

Shanice doesn't have many curves, but she is slim and tall and everything looks amazing on her no matter what she wears.

Her hair is curly, reaching her cleavage and perfectly framing her diamond-shaped face. Her dark complexion is always smooth, with absolutely no pimples, discoloration, or fine lines. The way her dark and dense eyebrows arch whenever she is mad is enthralling. And she is always mad.

I've only seen her smile once—it was clearly not because of me—and it's probably the most beautiful thing. Not many girls look like her when they laugh. 

"Are you done checking me out?"

"Nope, but I just remembered what I came here for," I laugh and she seems pissed off.

Hmm. I wonder why.

"I know it's going to sound crazy, but I'm actually sorry for waking you all up," I excuse myself, which is weird to me but I am sometimes a better person.

"Hmm, what do you want, Rèn?" she murmurs sleepy but I know she can see the worry on my face and that's why she is letting it slide.

"I need Derek's number-"

"No."

"Just listen. Veronica went to his apartment and she left her car there, it's been hours and she is still not back."

She furrows her eyebrows, and her lips slightly part which is kind of sexy- shut up, Rèn.

She shakes her head once and looks to her door confused. "Wait, let me get my phone."

I nod and I wait for her to come back with the phone.

She seems scared and I get even more worried. Why would Shanice be afraid for Veronica? She hates her.

"What's happening?"

"Call Derek. Here, it's his number."

I look at her perplexed that she would give out his number, but I take it.

"You know something, something very bad, don't you?" I ask confused.

"I thought she would stay away from him, after everything we did to make it that way," she says and I widen my eyes.

Oh, this is getting interesting.

"Wait, what?"

"Just call him."

I save Derek's number and I nod. She looks frightened. There is something shady going on with Derek, and I need to find out.

The phone rings for a bit and then he answers.

"Hey, it's me, Irè-"

"Fuck's sake. I thought it was- well, nevermind."

"What? Who did you think it was?"

"What do you want, Irène?" I can hear the motor of his car breaking down the street.

"I know Veronica didn't get home, and she left her car on your street."

I hear him inhale shakily and he pulls over. 

"I'm an idiot," his voice breaks, and I can hear him muffle a cry.

"I'm getting worried, just tell me what is happening?! I talked to Shanice too and she-"

"Veronica was kidnapped and it was all my fault. They sent me a video of her tied up and bruised."

"What the fuck. What did you do?" I ask exasperated.

"Listen, I'm in front of Dominic's home right now. I can't talk."

"Okay. I'll come."

"No-" he tries to stop me but I hang up.

I run back to my dormitory, almost busting the door down.

Nicole wakes up confused in a gasp as I harshly open my closet and throw all my clothes on the floor.

"What are you doing?" she yells at me and I don't answer as I reach for the safe box I have hidden in between my clothes. "Is Veronica back?"

"Get dressed. We need all the help we can get," I say as I take out the steel box and place it on the floor. She looks at me terrified.

"Get fucking dressed, there is no time to waste."

I insert the password of my little sister's date and I open the safe, looking at what's inside for a few seconds.

Haven't used it in so long but I always clean it.

I take out the gun and I load the bullets into the magazine. I look at it on both sides and Nicole gasps when she notices what I have in my hand.

"What- what are you doing?!" She yells and I tell her to keep it low.

The handgun is heavier now.

"Veronica is in danger."

Nicole covers her mouth and her hands shake over it and she tries to breathe and think about what she has to do, but she is unable to function.

I walk over to her with the gun in my hand, and I pat her on the shoulder with my other hand.

"She'll be fine. Get dressed," I say calmly.

She nods and I smile lightly for a second, then switching it back to my usual expression. I put the handgun in the back of my jeans and I throw my jacket over it, both with the top covering it.

"I'm confused... shouldn't we call the police or something? Where are we going?" Nicole asks and I look at her eyes for a second, she barely slept two hours. Her eyes are red and swollen.

"Sweetheart," I mock her, "believe me, cops always make it worse."

Nicole gets dressed in basic black pants and a purple sweater. I take my bag and she takes her phone. We lock the dorm and sprint to the stairs.

We reach the main entrance of the dormitories hall and it looks deadly empty.

Suddenly the camp security steps in front of us, blocking our way.

"I've been hearing noises around here all night, everything okay?" he asks and Nicole tries to speak but I stop her.

"Yes, some people had a small dispute but they solved it. Thank you for asking," I lie and give him a big, fake, bright smile.

The guard smiles at us and lets us go. I guess they aren't all annoying.

As we reach my car, someone calls my name.

"Irène! Wait- I'm coming too," Shanice yells as she is breathless from running after us.

"She knows too?" Nicole asks perplexed as she gets in the passenger side of my car.

"Did you talk to Derek?" I ask, ignoring Nicole's question.

"Yes. But he told us to not come."

"Of course he did, but who ever listens?" I laugh and Shanice smiles for a bit then she quickly composes herself. She remembers I'm the enemy.

"He is going to thank me for coming," I mutter as the handgun presses against my back.

I drive as fast as I can to get to Dominic's apartment—luckily, it's not too far—, I tell Nicole to give Dominic a call.

"Wait for us," Nicole warns Dom on the phone and I can hear him mumble no and no over again.

"We are near anyway, please. You will need our help."

Yes, a fully loaded gun.

Bet that idiot doesn't have a gun, he went to prison for nothing.

"Nothing will happen to me! I'll just help you and stay in the car if anything goes wrong. I'll be there for Ronnie at least," she explains but by the expression on her face I can tell she would do anything for Veronica, staying in the car is just not enough.

There is a long pause and then Nicole smiles with victory, he accepted.

~

The first thing I see when I step out of the car is Derek sitting on the sidewalk with his head between his legs.

He looks up when he realizes we are here and he immediately stands up to come up to us.

"Finally. Let's go," he mutters as he looks at Shanice and ignoring the rest of us. His eyes are bloodshot red, and despite how much I don't like him, I know he cares about her.

As he should, it's his fault.

"Shouldn't we call the police?!" Nicole says angrily and Derek turns to look at her.

Does she have to ask two times?

He stands in front of her. "One shot to the head, and she is gone before the police turn their sirens on. They know people, they have corrupt cops on their side. You never know which one is on their side and even if you are lucky, they won't get caught with her alive."

Nicole breaks into a cry, suddenly covering her mouth to muffle the cry as it's almost 4 and half am and everyone is sleeping.

I can tell Derek wants to comfort her but he is doing just as bad as her.

Dominic and Shanice walk up to them, and Dominic pulls Nicole into a hug.

"We need to go. You will stay in the car," Dom says to Nicole.

Shanice whispers something into Derek's ear and I mentally scold myself for paying attention to Dominic and Nicole rather than them.

"Who's driving?"

Derek takes initiative and starts walking to his car but I stop him.

"Take my car, I'm sure your car is too cheap to go that fast." I smile. What a helpful person I am!

He doesn't say anything as he takes the keys of my car from my hand and gets into my vehicle.

"So, we are going to Felix's old house. I know he has a basement but I can't tell if it's the same since the video is dark," Dom explains.

"What... what video?" Nicole asks with a shaky voice and we all go silent. "And who is Felix?"

Felix is the one who sold drugs to Veronica two years ago and Derek was involved with him before that. But I don't know much more than this.

"Answer me! What video?!" Nicole screams and Derek abruptly turns the car to go on the other street, visibly livid.

"We are close, keep it quiet," Derek mutters.

"What did I get myself into..." Nicole mumbles to herself but it's so low I'm the only person who can hear since I'm sitting in the back next to her.

I ignore her whiny remark and I think about what they said. One shot to the head.

I didn't know those kidnappers had guns, I expected it but now I know for sure one gun isn't enough, but they expect us to have no weapon except for probably knives or a bat. They assume we are dumb, they assume Derek cares too much about Veronica to not be careful. They want something out of him otherwise she would be already dead. What if she is?

I calm myself down but I fail, I see red. "Derek... what do they want?" I emphasize every word with a bitter tone.

"Don't play dumb, you did something to them. It's a classic, they want to hurt the people you love."

He instantly turns his head towards me the moment I say the love word and I roll my eyes. Do we have time for this stupid silly pretending game?

"We really have to go inside now," Dominic interrupts as Derek parks the car.

I look at the distant abandoned cabin hidden from the world and the grass is so tall you can barely see the entrance. There seems to be no one here.

"This must be the wrong place," Nicole says.

"Then it's probably the right place," Dom replies.

What better place than a seemingly abandoned place?

"It's probably not. Those people knew we would come here," I add.

"They want us here. He wants me to watch," Derek spits and we all stare at him.

"Watch-" Nicole repeats but we all stop her when we get out of the car.

The gun almost slips out of my jeans but I shove it back. Only Nicole knows I have it on me and I'm going to keep it that way.

"Do we have a plan?" Shanice asks and we all shake our heads.

"Of course," she mutters.

"Nicole, stay in the fucking car," Dominic whisper-yells at her when she gets out and starts walking to the tall grass.

"Shanice and Irène should stay there too," Derek mutters.

"Do you think girls can't fight?" I tease him.

He turns to me, his eyes are teary, "do I think 18-year-old unarmed women can't fight two experienced men in their forties with guns? Yes."

I smile, shoving away some unwanted flashbacks and before he knows it, I pull out my handgun and point it at his chest.

I load it.

Everyone gasps, Derek winces and the look on his face is priceless.

"Well, that sure will be helpful for when we go inside but we shouldn't make so much noise here," Dominic jokes.

"Put it down, Irène," Derek mutters to me.

His sudden shock goes away. I don't think it's the first time someone points a gun at him. He just didn't expect it from me.

"Please, tell me you have any training," Shanice mutters.

"Of course not, at least not legal," I joke as press the gun into Derek's chest. He stares at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"We don't have time for this," Dominic says.

"Did you change your mind, sweet poor thing?" I whisper to Derek.

"Nicole and Shanice aren't coming with us."

I smile, pulling away the gun and shoving back into the back of my jeans.

"So one gun against two big men with equally big guns..." Dom sighs. "Well, at least we didn't bring a fist to a gunfight."

Dominic laughs at his joke while we just stare at him, emotionless.

It's 5 AM and Veronica has been kidnapped for a few hours, we can assume it's around five hours. Not a good thing. They can hurt someone a lot in those three hundred minutes.

Nicole doesn't protest anymore, she stays in the car with Shanice. We told them to lock it and told Shanice to leave us here if someone goes after them. I was not okay with that but both Derek and Dominic agreed.

It's sweet how much they care about them.

I've always been the only one to care about myself, the reason why I'm here risking my life.

I'm always fighting so hard to survive but deep down I hope someone takes me down.

We walk towards the cabin carefully. It truly seems that no one is here, otherwise, they would have come to us. No way they are not guarding this place if they kidnapped someone.

"We are wasting time, she isn't here," I mutter as we reach the broken, open door.

"I have no idea where to look, we need to see the basement and then leave," Derek spits.

"Make a deal with them."

"They want me to watch while they torture her. What deal?" he says sarcastically.

The light doesn't turn on so Derek takes out his phone flash. This place seems abandoned for at least a year. The same year Derek went to prison.

Derek bends to pick up something from the floor. A low-cut black top.

"This was Veronica's when she came here two years ago."

"Are you sure it's not new?" I ask confused.

"It's not." The dust comes out of the top. She stayed here more than just for drugs...

This thing called Felix doesn't only have something against Derek, but Veronica too. I don't know the whole story but something else is going on here.

Derek pulls out a dusty and dirty carpet and uncovers the hidden basement door.

"They build this in, they used to put all the drugs here, there was an AC and everything."

He sighs heavily as his muscles contract to open the rusty door.

"If they were here, they wouldn't wait for us to come in. It's too quiet, we are wasting our time,"

He nods.

"Then why are we here?"

"Irène, shut up for once," Derek says and I roll my eyes.

Derek uses the ladder to go down and the phone flash to see and we follow after him. Of course, leaving Dominic for last.

Does he have a gun? No. Then I have the priority.

We reach the basement, there is no light besides our phone flashes.

Suddenly his phone starts ringing and we all get startled in terror.

I walk near him and peek my head over his shoulder so I can see his phone screen.

A video call.

"Do you want me to answer it?" I ask.

"It wouldn't be of any help, I should pretend I'm alone," he explains and we nod.

It continues to ring as Derek panics.

"Fuck, I shouldn't be here during the video call."

"Go up."

"They will recognize the room."

"Run to the car! They will call again, they have to."

He silences the call and he sprints to the ladder, we stay here to see if we could find any clue, but I doubt since it's an abandoned basement and they cleaned it before the cops could find it.

——Derek's POV——

I exhale heavily and with my heart banging against my rib cage as I reach the main entrance of the cabin.

I open the door and sprint towards the tall grass—despite the darkness—, I know this place too well and I follow the light of the distant streets.

Once I reach the street, I look around frantically, searching for Irène's car.

The phone starts ringing again. A video call from the unknown number, again.

I walk towards the middle of the street and there is not a damn soul around here.

"Shanice!" I yell and no one answers.

The car is gone, and so are Nicole and Shanice.