Page 95 of Left in the Dark

My phone buzzes again. Although I should ignore it, I don’t.

UNKNOWN: You’re never alone. I’m around, watching to ensure you’re safe. But pissing off Richard and his goons isn’t a bright idea.

ME: You were there?

UNKNOWN: Yeah, I was there. I was pissed because you antagonized them in broad daylight, making it harder for me to protect you.

Why do his words cause a delicious shiver to travel down my spine?

I’ve strived so hard to be independent for so long, relying on no one. Well, occasionally, Callie or her husband helped me with some things that were too difficult to do myself, but that’s beside the point.

My phone beeps again, pulling me from my thoughts.

UNKNOWN: Wanna see your mom?

My hands shake as false hope swims through my veins.

How the hell does he think he can pull that off? And how the fuck does he know so damn much about me?

But the thought of seeing my mom overwhelms the fearful voice that worries this is a game.

ME: Are you serious?

UNKNOWN: Very. If you promise to follow my instructions exactly, I can make it happen.

Hope churns inside me, reaching a feverish pitch. It’s foolish to believe a masked man I know nothing about telling me he can arrange for me to see my mom, yet somehow I think I can trust him.

UNKNOWN: Use your words, Delaney. Are you in?

ME: Yes. What do I need to do?

UNKNOWN: Drive to the hospital. I’ll be behind you. Park in the far corner of the lot in the garage. I’ll meet you there and give you instructions.

ME: Okay.

With shaking fingers, I start my car. I turn the heat on, adjust it, and back out of the parking space.

As I drive, I keep looking in my rearview mirror, wondering which vehicle is his. I’m desperate to know something about this man.

When I arrive, I wait inside my car for further instructions. Darkness has fallen over the land, and even beneath the dim lights of the parking garage, an eerie feeling hangs in the air.

UNKNOWN: Look to your left.

My head turns, and my body jerks as I see his masked face. What startles me is the guy wearing a colorful purge mask standing beside him.

I exit the car, slinging my purse over my head and shoving my phone and keys inside. My gaze darts around nervously before I head toward the two masked men in the dark shadows of the lot.

The guy wearing the Michael Myers mask gestures to the one wearing the purge mask. “This is my associate. He will give me signals, and I’ll convey them to you. Don’t worry. You won’t be doing this alone. We’ll be watching you.”

I nod. Uneasiness rolls through me that two masked men are helping me, yet a strange sense of safety washes over me. I don’tknow about the guy in the purge mask, but for some strange reason, I trust the one in the Michael Myers mask.

Exhaling a deep breath, I roll my shoulders, trying to relax.

“Don’t worry, Delaney.” The Michael Myers mask wearing guy steps closer, his gloved hand grabbing mine. “We’ll get you inside your mom’s room, and no one will know. Especially not your father.”

“But he has guards stationed outside her door.”

The other masked man speaks. “I have distraction tactics already established.” My attention turns to him, noticing the laptop tucked beneath his arm. “We’ve got you, Delaney. Especially this guy.” He pats the Myers mask wearing guy’s shoulder. “You can trust him. He always delivers on his promises, and he’ll burn the fucking world down before he lets anyone harm you.”

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