~35~

                                    

                                          
Jasmine's POV
                          
At least a few days passed. Noah's temper had worsened and he had been hitting me harder, often not stopping until he drew blood.
                          
I tried to remember Ant's advice. 
                          
Think of better times. 
                          
I thought of the Florida and all the fun we had there. This led me to think about other gifts Ant gave me, besides the trip to Destin. I could feel my cold locket on my neck, it was the only thing that had survived Noah so far. 
                          
I thought of Nala. Don't worry honey. Mommy'll come home soon.
                          
I thought of Ant in general. I will see you again. If it's the last thing I do.
                          
My stomach growled. I had only had a few pieces of stale bread since Noah had kidnapped me and I was still tied to the same chair.
                          
I heard the door to the apartment close. He's gone! 
                          
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP!!!" I screamed, when I assumed Noah was out of earshot. I was wrong.
                          
"Shut up!" Noah hissed, slamming the door to the room behind him, running to me, and slapping me across the cheek. I whimpered quietly but decided that it was not the time for weakness.
                          
"HELP!!! ANT! ANYONE HELP!!" I yelled. Noah kicked me in the stomach, knocking my chair over. I screamed as loudly as I could.
                          
Noah beat me and I continued to make as much noise as possible. After around ten minutes, Noah seemed to be letting up and my voice was getting hoarse. It was then that I heard sirens from outside. Yes! 
                          
"Now you've done it." Noah growled. I became flooded with fear as he reached into his coat and pulled out a gun. He aimed it at me and I shut my eyes tightly.
                          
I felt a sharp pain in my right thigh before I screamed and passed out.
                          
Anthony's POV
                          
A week passed. I had barely slept the entire time. Whenever I did, I had nightmares of Jas. Jas being gone forever. Never getting to hold her again. Never getting to kiss her.
                          
The cast still met at the Richard Rodgers everyday. They were mainly there to console Pippa and I, who seemed to take it the hardest.
                          
"Bye Nala." I said to our dog, scratching her lightly behind her ears. Nala walked slowly over to her bed and sat down, without her usual bark goodbye. Everyone, even Nala, missed Jas. She was the sunshine in our lives. She certainly was in mine. I left the apartment and headed to the theater.
                          
"We'll find her Ant. There's still a chance." Chris said the second I walked in the Richard Rodgers.
                          
"IT'S BEEN A WEEK!" I yelled. No one spoke.
                          
"Sorry I didn't mean to yell it's just-" I struggled to find the right words. I took a deep breath. "Jas was the love of my life." Tears began to steam down my face. It seemed that all I had done this past week was cry. Cry and worry.
                          
"The love of my life is gone and I don't know if she will ever come back." Pippa ran to me and hugged me tightly.
                          
"It'll be okay. No matter what happens." She whispered to me. "And we'll find Jazzy. We have to." I nodded and broke from our hug.