Johnny & I : The Island by Daria Paus (best novels to read txt) 📗

everything I remembered, only one thing was stuck in my mind. It’s my fault. And that thought was hard to shake.

His long silence made me fear the worst. I wanted to cry, so sure everything between us was ruined. He must be blaming me; he had every right. Had I only tried harder, had I only pushed myself to remember . . .

I forced myself to look up at him when all I wanted was to run away and never have to face the consequences. I couldn’t stand the thought of him being angry with me.

"Fuck,” he said, and I felt like dying right then and there. “Do you know what this means?"

I just managed a small shake of my head, then I looked down at my feet in shame. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"What?"

He sounded so confused I had to look back up.

"No," he went on. "No, I didn't mean it like that." He gave me a small smile. "I'm fucking worried.”

Before I had a chance to speak, he stated the obvious. “We’re not alone on the island.”

I gulped, looking around as if I’d expected someone to be standing there holding up a surprise sign.

“Someone just trapped us here.” He looked around, and when I studied his face, I could clearly see the concern he tried to conceal.

“Why would—" I looked out at the sea, then back at Johnny. "Can we call someone to come get us?”

He shook his head, and I stared at him in confusion.

“Phone’s gone.” He stated the obvious, but hearing it still made my eyes grow bigger, the fear slowly coming on stronger and I heard myself shriek. “How are we goin' to get off the island?"

"Sooner or later they’ll come looking for me; I was supposed to be back on set last week. They’ll come. I just hope . . ." His voice trailed off and he seemed to think before he continued. "I just hope they won't be too late."

Another chill made me shiver despite the heat. I did not like the sound of that, and the look on Johnny's face didn't make me feel better, either.

"Let's go back, come." He grabbed my hand and I followed him in silence, casting nervous glances all around as we walked. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, but that didn't offer much comfort, not when I knew we weren't alone anymore.

16

The creeps

He told me to wait and I did—for about ten seconds. I appreciated the thought of my safety, but honestly, I was more concerned about his. The moment I stepped into the hallway I realized something was wrong. Everything was too quiet. For a few seconds I stood frozen to the spot, then I turned right into the living room.

A little scream tore from my throat and a hand flew to my mouth as my eyes landed on Johnny, sprawled on the floor. The once healed wound in his head had reopened and bled as he lay unconscious before me.

Not thinking rationally, I ran to him, dropping down at his side.

"Johnny!” I shook him, but he didn't move. Pressing a trembling hand to the bleeding wound, I mumbled the word no, over and over as if somehow that would make it all right.

"We have to get out of here!” Panic started to build up inside of me. "Come on!"

He didn't show any sign of life and I felt like crying.

Get the hell outta here, my inner voice urged. Now! I didn't listen to it; how could I?

Leave him! Run! I hesitated, throwing a quick look toward the door. Then I turned my gaze back on Johnny, silently praying to whoever was willing to listen for him to wake up.

Save yourself, the voice yelled. For Christ sake!

"You couldn't stay away, now could you?" A raspy voice spoke in my ear. I screamed, trying to move away but I fell back onto the floor. A rough hand grabbed my arm and dragged me to my feet.

"This changes things, you see."

My eyes were wide and I could feel the color quickly leave my face as I looked up at my captor. A man with a large frame, topped with short-cropped brown hair, and the palest of blue eyes glared down at me. He wore a leather vest over a dirty white shirt, and the hand that held my upper arm in a firm grip was black with dirt.

"Let go of me," I shrieked, trying to pull my arm free. "What are you doin’ here?"

The man laughed. "What are you doing here?" He put a huge emphasis on the word you.

"Why are you doin' this?"

"Shut up and listen to me."

The grip of my arm made it impossible to move. I tried to turn my head to see Johnny, but a sharp pain in my cheek stopped me, and it took several seconds to grasp what had happened. Tears sprung to my eyes and a few rolled down my cheeks. My legs started to tremble and I could feel the taste of blood in my mouth.

"Please."

"Shut the fuck up!”

"What have you done to him?" I dared to whisper.

The man scoffed, turning me around and the sight of Johnny’s unconscious body made fresh tears spring to my eyes. I choked back a sob.

"I didn't kill him if that's what you’re wondering."

“Why—"

A dirty hand in front of my face shut me up. I was sure that if I didn’t keep my mouth closed, he’d hit me again.

"Garrett, where the fuck are you?"

The sudden shout made me flinch. As he started to drag me toward the wall, another man came into view and I shuddered at the sight of him. His blond hair was long and oily and he wore a satisfied grin as he made his way over to where I stood.

"What do we have here?" He raised a blonde eyebrow in question. "She's hot." He grinned at no one in particular, then he leaned closer. “You and I are gonna have some fun, aren't we,