Page 18 of Finish Line

“Having problems?” I ask.

“Yes, your step-brother is getting too close for my liking.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “You might as well give up now, Roger. You will never beat Nick. He’s smarter than you. It’ll only be a matter of time until he finds me.”

Roger storms over to me. “You’re mine.”

“Never,” I growl out. “I’d rather die.”

His face gets beet red, and pulls out a knife. “I can arrange that.”

He’s going to stab me like he did Cam.

Good. Soon, this will be over.

I brace myself for the stab that never comes; instead, he uses the handle to reinforce his punches, cutting my cheek.

He keeps up the assault until I pass out, again.

Sometime later, I open my eyes and realize that I’m not hanging anymore. I’m on the ground and can barely move from the two beatings he gave me.

I close my eyes and dream of being home with all my guys.

CHAPTER SIX

SHELBY

Afraid to open my eyes, I wake up slowly.

The last thing I remember is Evan paying me another visit. Maybe if I pretend to be asleep next time he comes, he’ll leave me alone.

Birds chirp in the distance, but they seem closer than before.

I freeze. What am I lying on? It doesn’t feel like cement.

A breeze caresses my body, and I shiver. That’s not right. I don’t remember ever feeling a breeze before. The basement doesn’t have any windows.

Carefully, I open my eyes, and everything is green.

Shocked by the change, I raise my head. I’m outside of the house, but I can’t remember how I got out here. I try to stand up, but I fall back down.

I slip my hand out from underneath me. Something slick covers it. Blood extends up part of my arm. My heart beats out of control. I gasp for breath.

“Fuck, what did I do?” I whisper.

What’s the last thing I remember…? Evan, he… No, oh God. I can’t think about what he did.

I grip the earth as tears run down my face. I killed him with the pointy end of the duster when he…

I dry heave.

Evan left the door to the basement unlocked and open when he came down. I used that chance to run. But I didn’t make it very far.

I have to escape. Roger could come back at any moment.

My head whips around, looking for him.

On shaky legs, I stumble into the woods that surround this place. I can’t feel my feet or my legs anymore. My left eye is swollen shut, which makes it hard to see.

---