Page 72 of Open Arms

“Stop!” I hissed, focusing on the fraying rope. The nail was freedom, it was life. I prayed to the silence, to the creaking cabin, to anything listening, for just a few more seconds.

“Blood,” he muttered, more to himself than to me, “always comes down to blood.”

“Doesn’t have to,” I whispered, as much to urge myself on as to reason with him.

The knot slackened completely, the ropes loosening as if sighing in relief. My hands were nearly free, tingling with anticipation and newfound courage. Just a little more . . .

My fingers brushed against the last strand, a coarse whisper against my skin. There—a flick, a twist, and sweet release. My hands sprang apart, the ropes falling away like shed snakeskin. I inhaled sharply, the cool air biting at my chafed wrists. Gratitude surged through me, laced with adrenaline.

“Thank you,” I whispered to no one, my voice barely a breath. To myself, to the nail, to whatever fates had granted me this sliver of hope.

“Katie?” Tyler’s voice was a low growl.

“Quiet, Tyler,” I answered, trying to mirror his tone, but it quivered despite my bravado. I eased up to stand, my legs unsteady and my heart pounding a fierce rhythm against my ribcage.

“Wha—“

His eyes locked on mine, understanding dawning too late—or so I hoped.

I tensed as Jamie turned, mouth agape as he registered myfreed hands. His shock lasted only a heartbeat before his expression darkened, eyes narrowing.

“You little?—“

He lunged and I darted left, adrenaline fueling my weary limbs. My shoulder slammed into the cabin wall as I scrambled to keep my balance. Jamie’s fingers grazed my shirt but found no purchase.

I ran along the perimeter, putting the dilapidated couch between us. His longer legs carried him over it easily but I had already reached the door, my palm slapping the rusted doorknob. I wrenched it open, October air rushing in, carrying the promise of freedom.

The darkening forest beckoned. I didn’t look back, didn’t dare hesitate. My feet pounded down the cabin’s creaking steps, Jamie’s enraged shouts at my back.

I ran.

Branches clawed at my clothes and hair as I plunged into the forest, my breaths coming in panicked gasps. The ground was uneven and roots grabbed at my feet, threatening to send me sprawling. Behind me, I heard Jamie crashing through the underbrush in pursuit.

“You can’t run from this, Chloe!” His voice rang out, closer than I expected. “It has to end here!”

I didn’t waste my breath responding. All my focus was on the path ahead, dimly illuminated by the fading evening light that filtered through the canopy of yellowing leaves. My lungs burned with exertion but I pushed harder, darting between trees and leaping over fallen logs. I couldn’t let him catch me. My life depended on escape.

In my haste, I didn’t see the dip in the forest floor. My foot caught and I pitched forward with a cry, hands shooting out to break my fall.I

I grimaced as my palms scraped against the rough forest floor, but adrenaline drowned out the pain. Scrambling to my feet, I risked a glance behind me. Jamie hadn’t gained much ground—I still had a chance.

My legs pumped furiously as I weaved between the trees, the glow of dusk guiding me forward. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I had to get as far away from that cabin, and my brother, as possible.

A root snagged my foot and I stumbled again, barely catching myself against a tree trunk. Gasping, I pushed off and continued on. My lungs screamed for air but I didn’t dare slow down. I could hear Jamie cursing as he struggled to keep up, his footfalls crunching on the underbrush not far behind.

Up ahead, the trees thinned out and I could see a dirt road cutting through the forest. If I could just make it that far . . .

I broke through the tree line and my feet hit the hard packed dirt of the road. The jolt reverberated through my legs but I didn’t slow down. I raced down the center of the road, my breath sawing in and out of my lungs. Behind me, the underbrush rustled as Jamie burst from the woods in pursuit.

“You can’t escape!” he yelled. “This has to end now!”

I blocked out his voice and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. I didn’t know where I was or where this road led, I only knew I had to follow it away from here. Away from the brother who wanted us both dead.

Suddenly, I heard another voice. One that made my heart sing.

Mason.

He was calling my name. I thought I might have been imagining it, but no, it was too real, too close. I ran toward the curve in the road ahead, rounded the bend, and there he was—Mason, barreling down the road in his truck. The headlights cut throughthe growing darkness as he skidded to a stop in front of me. Before the truck fully halted, the driver’s side door flew open.

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