Courtney's PO:

I wake in an empty room, which both surprises and relieves me. The water is gone, not even a droplet to remind me of the hell I experienced yesterday.

Was that only yesterday? Or today? I've lost count of the days that are quickly slipping by. For all i know, it could've been years since i last saw my family. I hope not, but it could be true.

The lack of water causes for a thought to pop into my aching head. What if I simply imagined everything? I've been sleep-deprived and thirsty, maybe I hallucinated the whole thing. Or maybe everything is just a nightmare, and I'm actually back home, snuggled up against Andy in his bunk on tour.

Andy. Tour. That entire life seems so distant, so normal. It's near impossible to imagine living like that, without fear. I wonder if i'll ever live like that again, I can only hope. I wonder how the boys are taking it. Have they looked for me? Are they looking for me? Do they cry themselves to sleep and imagine that I'm there beside them like I've done so many times? Or have they long since given up on me, forgetting me as quickly as i came into their lives.

---

I'm startled to see a metallic glint laying in the small pool of light in the middle of my prison. A cell phone. Hesitantly, i crawl over to the minuscule device, fully aware that it could be a trap. It isn't though, as i pick it up and turn it on, blinking furiously as the artificial light nearly blinds me. I run my fingers over the bright screen, stopping on the 'phone' app. I hastily press numbers, dialling a number that i have long-since memorized.

He picks up after four rings. His voice sounding tired and seems to lack the usual brightness. He answers with a simple, 'hello', and I nearly sob at the sound of he familiar word falling from his lips.

"Andy," i finally sob, unable to control my racing emotions. I'm talking to him, my boyfriend, the love of my life. We're so close yet so far away.

For a moment, there is no sound even his breathing appears to have stopped, and i fear he may have hung up. All of that disappears when he speaks again, his voice hopeful et hesitant.

"Courtney?" He whispers on the other end, barely audible, "is that really you?"

I nod despite the fact that he can't see me. "Yes, oh my god, Andy, it's me!"

I can practically see him grinning ear to ear, "Courtney! Baby, I love you so much. Where are you? Are you hurt?" His voiced goes from excited to worried in less than a second, and I resist the urge to laugh.

"I love you too Andy, so much," i breathe, trying to get a hold of my emotions, "i don't know where i am Andy. It's dark, so dark," i whimper the last part.

"Shh, baby, we're coming to find you. I love you so much, I'm just going to get the guys," he soothes.

Suddenly there are more voices on the other end, all talking frantically with relief. I recognize Ashley's voice above all else and tears run down my cheeks as i smile. I've missed my brother so much.

"Courtney? Do you have an idea where you are? And way of contacting us? other than the letters and this phone of course," he says quickly.

"The phone could be taken away at any time, so I'm not too sure. You've been getting my letters? Did you get my last one?" I ask, scratching the inside of my palm anxiously.

There is some shuffling and rustling on the other end, and then CC"s voice comes through the tiny speakers. "Yeah, we just got your letter now. Ash! What does it say?"

I can hear a series of quiet mumbles when someone exclaims rather loudly, "Palm Springs?! You think you're there?"

I shrug, "that's what the label on the knife said, it could be wrong, but I figured it's better than nothing."

"are you kidding me? Thats' great news! we're heading to the police right now and booking a flight," Ash says eagerly.

"Wait," Andy interjects, "knife?"

I squirm against the cool wall, uncomfortable all of a sudden. "yeah, it was in my cell when i woke up. I don't know why, but it just was. I haven't done anything with it."

The line is silent for a moment, when Andy speaks again, "i love you Courtney."

I smile and feel my heart flutter a little, "I love you Andy."

His name is barely out of mouth when I'm harshly shoved to the concrete ground, the phone tossed into the darkness. I can hear the guys' voices all calling out my name as I scream again as the knife slashes against my skin.


Andy's POV:

"I love you Courtney," I whisper.

"I love you Andy," she responds, and my heart clenches.

She screams suddenly, her voice becoming distant. She screams again, begging someone to stop as Ash begins to shout out angrily. Her shrieks have quieted, and a new voice comes through the speaker.

"See you in Palm Springs, if she isn't dead yet."

The line goes dead.

Notes