Empty Bodies 3: Deliverance (Empty Bodies Series Book 3) by Zach Bohannon Page A

her emotions out loud with other people and trying to sort through them. She found writing them down to be a much better therapy.
    Jessica had just reached the part in her story where Walt pulled her into the hotel room, thus saving her, when a knock came at the door.
    “Come in,” she said.
    The door opened and Holly poked her head through. “Will, Gabriel, and Marcus want to talk to everyone. They’re asking everyone to meet out at the nurses’ station in about twenty minutes.”
    Jessica nodded. “Cool, thanks.”
    She’d looked back down to continue writing when she saw Holly enter the room out of the corner of her eye. Jessica shut the notebook and looked up to Holly again. Her arms crossed, Holly glared at Jessica.
    “Yes?” Jessica asked.
    “I love him.”
    Jessica was at a loss for words. How was she supposed to respond to that?
    “I know that you guys are getting close,” Holly continued. “You’ve got a special connection to him because of his mother, I get that. But just don’t get too close.”
    With that last sentence, Jessica went from feeling slightly awkward to a little bit angry.
    “Are you threatening me?”
    “Not yet,” Holly said, shaking her head. She turned and opened the door, glaring back at Jessica one more time before she left the room.
    Staring down at her notebook, Jessica shook her head. She hopped off the bed and headed to the restroom for a quick shower, being sure to take her notebook with her so she could keep it close.
    ***
    When Jessica left her room and headed to the nurses’ station, the rest of the group was already standing there. She made a point of looking for Sarah first, whose eyes went to the journal under Jessica’s arm, and she smiled. Jessica smiled back and mouthed the words “Thank you.”
    “Nice of you to join us,” Holly said in a snarky tone.
    Jessica took one look at Holly and then looked away. The girl was obviously trying to intimidate her, but the schoolyard antics weren’t going to do anything to impress her.
    Will either didn’t notice her snobbish tone or didn’t care. He looked focused on more important things as he began to speak.
    “Thanks everyone for meeting here. Before I get started, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for their support over the last day. It’s been the hardest couple of days of my life, and I thank you. I know it wasn’t made any easier last night when we lost three more people, but everyone has remained strong.” He stopped for a moment to clear his throat and gather his thoughts.  
    “Everyone here knows that one of our own was taken by some redneck savages. A young, helpless boy. And it’s no secret that the man who killed my mother and Kristen, and who was responsible for the death of Trevor, is more than likely there with them.” He had to stop again. Jessica could see in his face that the utter thought of David Ellis jolted Will’s nerves. Gabriel leaned over to whisper something into Will’s ear, but Will shook his head and then continued. “Gabriel, Marcus, and myself have come up with a plan to rescue the boy. We’re here today so we can get your opinion. This is going to require everyone to contribute, and it’s going to be dangerous.”
    Jessica looked to Holly again, who was staring up at Will. The girl was scared, no doubt. Much more scared than Jessica. Jessica was prepared to do what she needed to do to help the group move forward, whatever the cost might be.
    “So,” Will said. “Here’s what we’re gonna do.”
    ***
    Jessica was the first one to walk away when Will and Gabriel were through talking and everyone had agreed on the plan. She headed to her room, but she immediately heard approaching footsteps and turned around to see Will.
    “Are you okay?” Will asked.
    “Yeah, I’m fine,” Jessica nodded.
    Will shook his head. “You don’t have to do this.”
    “It’s okay,” Jessica said. “I want to do it. Really. It can’t be you, Holly, or Marcus. And Sarah