Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 362 Stomach Cramps
Christina’s POV
When I came to, I was in a new place.
Another dark room with no windows, smaller than before. And someone was beside me.
Click.
Light filled the room. I shut my eyes against the bright light.
"You okay?" a familiar voice asked.
I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Niall?" I gasped. "What the hell are you doing here?"
I looked down. Thank god we were both dressed.
"What’s happening? Where are we?" My head throbbed as I sat up.
"You’re safe for now."
"Where are we? And why are you here?"
"The kidnappers were tough to deal with. I got you out and brought you here to hide. It’s a small guest house. Too risky to take you to a hotel. Now we wait for my team."
That sounded suspicious. "How did you know I was kidnapped?"
"Don’t worry about that. I’d never hurt you."
"Were they working for Genevieve?"
"No," Niall said firmly. "They weren’t hers."
"How do you know? If not her, who?"
"That doesn’t matter now. We need to get out fast." His face darkened.
My stomach suddenly cramped. "I’m going to be sick..."
"What’s wrong?" Niall leaned closer.
"My stomach," I said through the nausea.
"Lie down. Just breathe." He helped me lie back on the pillows. "What’s wrong?"
"Probably hunger."
"I’ll get water and find food."
"Isn’t it dangerous? Never mind, I’ll be fine. Let me use your phone to call Hudson. He’ll come for us."
"A call would give away our location. We’d be dead before Hudson got here," Niall refused. "That’s why I turned my phone off." He showed me the blank screen.
"Something’s wrong," Akira growled. "I don’t trust him."
I agreed silently. "Where’s your team? Why aren’t they here?"
"They’re distracting the kidnappers. That’s how I got you out."
Another wave of nausea hit me. I doubled over, holding my stomach.
Niall poured water and gave it to me. "Drink this. I’ll find food."
"Don’t. It’s too risky if they’re looking for us. I’ll be fine. Staying alive is more important than eating."
I sipped it. The water warmed my stomach, so I drank more. Bad idea. After a few sips, I threw up. I threw up everything.
Since I hadn’t eaten, only bitter bile came up. It hurt like hell.
Niall gave me tissues and rubbed my back. When it stopped, I collapsed on the bed, exhausted.
"Want some water?"
I shook my head. "No way."
I missed Hudson so much it hurt. I wanted Hudson here, not Niall.
I lay still, my eyes getting heavy until I fell asleep.
The room was unnaturally quiet.
I woke up with stomach pain, cramping from hunger.
I stayed still, afraid moving would make me throw up again.
"Niall?" The room was empty. I felt uneasy.
"Niall?" I called again.
No answer. My heart raced. Where did he go?
I got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Also empty. Fear hit me, made worse by how weak I was.
I went back to bed and collapsed. I was freezing and shivering under the covers.
Time passed slowly. I looked at the clock. "Three o’clock," I whispered. "Where did he go?"
At four o’clock, I must have fallen asleep again.
I had restless sleep with nightmares until I woke up suddenly.
The air smelled of antiseptic.
Niall sat beside the bed, cleaning a wound. Blood had soaked through his shirt at the shoulder.
"What happened?" I asked, staring at the blood stain.
"Nothing," he smiled tiredly.
His hands were bloody with a smudge on his cheek. Stubble covered his jaw, making him look rough.
"How did you get hurt?"
"It’s nothing. We’re safe, that’s what matters. I said I’d protect you." He put down the cotton, stood up, and gave me a bag. "Here, eat this."
Looking at the food, I realized Niall went out for this. Did he get hurt because of me?
The thought made my throat tight.
"Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine," he said softly.
"You shouldn’t risk yourself for me."
"You’re worth it. You’re the only one who is," he said, staring at me intensely.
I turned away. "What really happened out there?"
"They saw me when I went out. I tried to be careful but it wasn’t enough. Luckily there weren’t many. I dealt with them, got supplies, and came back the long way. They won’t find us. I led them the wrong way."
"Who are these people, Niall? Just tell me the truth."
I could tell he was hiding something big. fгeewebnovёl.com
"Some things are better not to know. You’re safer not knowing. You’ll be safe once we’re back in Highrise City."
That confused me even more. "But I was taken from Highrise City."
"It’s not the same people. This is a different group."
I stared at him, totally confused. "What are you talking about?" ƒrēewebnovel.com
"It’s complicated to explain right now," Niall said tiredly. "Look, just eat something and rest. You need strength. I don’t know how long before my people or Hudson find us."
I watched him struggle to clean his shoulder wound, still bleeding because he couldn’t reach it.
"Let me help with that," I offered. After he risked himself for me, helping with his wound was the least I could do.
"I can handle it. You should eat and rest."
"Let me do this for you," I insisted.
He finally gave in and sat down.
The wound looked bad. He winced as I cleaned it, pain on his face. He needed a hospital, not basic first aid. "I hope this doesn’t get infected."
"Don’t worry, I got antibiotics," he smiled weakly. "Done. Now wash your hands and eat. I got you biscuits, bread, fruit, and milk."
"That’s enough." I had to eat something. I needed energy for what was coming.
I forced down the dry bread, fighting nausea.
Niall warmed the milk. I sipped it carefully, the warmth helping a little though I still felt sick.
Exhaustion took over and I fell asleep again.
A harsh cough woke me up.
