“He a friend of yours?” I slid my focus back to the EMT that was wiping a cool cloth that smelled like alcohol on my hands. His name tag read Nick. With Endgame’s blood gone with his actual body being wheeled away, I could see the abrasions on me that the confusion and adrenaline kept me from feeling.

“Maybe.” I had mixed feelings about Endgame. Tonight, with my head muddled with fear and shock, was not the night I'd be able to define that man.

“I know the police are looking for you, so I think it will be happy news for your loved ones that you’re still with us.”

“Can I borrow your phone?” I held out my right hand that was now fully bandaged.

“Yeah, sure.” He took off one of his gloves and dug a bright green iPhone out of his jacket pocket. He unlocked it and handed it to me.

I didn’t know Austin’s number. I couldn’t think of any numbers. Hell, my old house number where my father or sister would answer? Couldn’t even bring it to mind.

“Do you have Tikgram?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I send a message from that?” I knew Austin’s handle and punched in a request for a private message. I knew those pinged on his phone.

It’s Taylor. Call me at this number.

Nick must have been reading over my shoulder because he rattled off his phone number.

In a second, the phone was vibrating. I stared at the phone, trying to decide how to answer it. Nick used his pinkie to press the button.

“Hey, it's me. It’s me.” I was crying now. His voice connecting me to the reality that I’d been kidnapped.

I heard Austin gasp on the other end. “Holy shit. It’s her. It’s her! Are you okay?”

I thought of my answer, watching the paramedics in no real rush to get Endgame to the hospital.

“Yeah. I’m okay. It’s just…” I had no idea where I was. What this place was.

“Where are you?” Austin’s voice was a low grumble.

I stared at Nick.

“Tell him to meet you at the Birdville Hospital emergency room. We have to go now.” Nick slipped a steading hand under my armpit.

I relayed the information to Austin, and then when I readjusted the phone, it hung up. I handed the phone to Nick and crawled into the ambulance. He had me hop up onto the gurney. I was clipped in and propped up.

Nick was all business now, getting my vitals and starting an IV right there in the bouncing emergency vehicle.

“I didn’t want to tell him on the phone.” I said it like Nick might understand how complicated the whole situation was without any surrounding details.