Page 25 of Dollhouse

“They’ll be back. We need to clear out. Someone gave us up again.”

Emily reappears. “You need a doctor,” she says, taking in Noah and his death grip on me. “Noah, please.”

The front door bangs open, and we jump as Landon and Patrick rush in.

“Boy’s got news, you need to hear this now,” Patrick says.

Landon clears his throat, looking around at the group of men. “Rory’s the rat. I saw the messages myself that confirm it, and confronted him, just now this morning. He told them where we’d be today, and it looks like he’s been in bed with Bundy this entire time. Told me straight to my face he doesn’t want to defend this—” Landon’s eyes cut to me, my face burning as he decides not to finish the sentence.

Oh.The weight of his incomplete statement chokes me. I’ve caused this, my presence. How ridiculously unfair, as if I wanted to be stuck here, to be protected by Mercy. I haven’t asked for any of this.

I hadn’t even come to themvoluntarily.

I try to step back, but Noah’s grip on me only tightens further.

“No,” he says, looking down at me before nodding at Landon. “Where is he now?”

“I tried to stop him…” He indicates his broken nose. “He’s gone, I don’t know where.”

“Fuck!” Aiden yells, making me jump as he picks up a glass ashtray and flings it across the room. “God knows what information he’s passed on. He’s been in half the meetings this year. Bundy could know everything we’ve planned, every contract we have right now.”

“Emily, grab a bag,” Liam says, pointing at her. “I want her taken now to the lockdown house,” he says to another associate. “Take her straight there and don’t stop anywhere.”

She stares at him for a moment, an unspoken conversation taking place. Words aren't needed, it’s clear as day they understand each other without them. She looks at Noah then heads for the stairs.

Aiden turns to the rest of the room. “Everyone, we’ve got ten minutes. Get anything you have and we’re out. Head for the clubhouse by the hills ‘til we find out just how much they know. If you have a wife, kids, they go also. Now,” he says and a bustle ensues as the room clears out.

It’s just the leaders that remain. Their sons, Bo and me. Patrick and Landon know without needing to be told they are included in hearing these final instructions.

He turns back to us. “The four of you are going to the safe-house by the cavern. Noah, you know the way. Do you think they’re broken?” he asks, pointing to his ribs.

Noah shakes his head. “Maybe bruised. I’m fine, we can patch me up when we get there.”

“Good. Nobody but the people in this room know where you’re going. You’ll be safe. Lie low there until we have a betterplan, yeah?” We nod as Patrick snaps Landon’s nose back to center with a grunt.

Jesse’s hand curls around the back of Bo’s neck, guiding him to the stairs. I, however, am still frozen in place. We're running again, and I’m already tired of it. Clothes mean nothing at this point. All I need is Molly and for these men to be safe.

Although, they’d be safer if I wasn’t here.

Noah just holds me to him, petting my hair like it will reassure him I’m alive. “I’m sorry. You were right. It’s time to let go of this. It’s not worth losing everything.” His head falls and he shakes it. “Fuck, I don’t want to let Lily down.”

His torment cuts me deep. I hate this, for him, for the family. I hate that in real life, evil flourishes and chokes out the possibility of justice for the corrupt men who spread it and protect it.

Most of all, I hate that sometimes the good guys don’t win.

“Em,” I hear Bo call as he comes back down the stairs. “Take five and grab all your stuff. I’ve got Molly in her crate here. Jesse’s going to drive him and I’ll take you, ‘kay?

I nod, but Noah looks as if he wants to reject that plan until his uncle cuts him off. “Save it. You can't drive like this.”

His hand releases me and I turn, rushing for the stairs. I fly to the room, heart pounding, feeling like I’ll float away.

Again. Again.We’re runningagain.

Bundy wants to find me. But why? It makes absolutely no sense. We’d only met one time, yet his men have been here. Threatening us all once more, harming Noah.

Because of me.

Does he want me for Eric? For himself? Maybe he just wants to find me because men seem to love taking things that other men have, and I’ll just be slaughtered the moment he manages to get me out of here.