Page 121 of Amnesia

“Let go!” I screamed and twisted until my arm fell out of her hold. Scrambling to my feet, I stood in front of Eddie, trying to block him in case she had any more ideas about swinging that oar. “I’m calling the police!” I threatened, shuffling from foot to foot. I wanted to rush back to the bedroom for the phone, but I was terrified to leave Eddie here unprotected.

He hadn’t moved at all, something that scared me more than this woman, so I dropped back onto my knees, pushed him onto his back, and gently cupped his head. Behind his ear was sticky with a thick, warm substance. Pulling my hand away, I saw my fingers were red.

“Eddie,” I groaned. “Wake up!” I shook his shoulders and called his name again.

“Leave him!” the woman demanded, grabbing my shoulder again.

“Get off me!” I screamed and shoved her back. She stumbled a little, and I surged up to go get the phone. I needed to call for help. Eddie needed an ambulance.

“You’re coming with me,” she said, stepping forward. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I retorted.

Using the end of the oar, she pushed the floppy hat off her head. It rolled down her back and hit the floor. I gasped. Her eyes were blackened and there was a huge knot on her forehead and a cut in her eyebrow. Even her upper lip was swollen, something I hadn’t noticed until now.

“Take a look at me!” she roared. “This is nothing compared to what is waiting for you.”

Was that supposed to make me want to come? She was insane!

As if to prove my thought, a wild look stole over her eyes. “I will not take another beating for you. I will not be punished because of your selfish, selfish ways.”

“What are you talking about?” I whispered, horrified. “Who are you?”

“I’m here to collect you.”

“I won’t go with you,” I vowed.

The glint in her eyes was cold and mean. Instantly, she swung the long oar down and smacked Eddie again.

I made a wailing sound and threw myself on top of him, shielding his body with mine. “Don’t touch him!” I screamed. “Leave him alone.”

“Come with me or I’ll kill him. That stupid boy is always around.”

My head snapped up. How did she know we were always together? Had she been watching me? “It was you,” I whispered in awe. “You’ve been watching me.”

“Up!” she said, reaching down and taking a fistful of my hair. Stings of pain erupted over my scalp as she yanked me up.

On my feet, I kicked her, and she made a sound of pain but only gripped harder. “Do it again and I’ll smash his skull open where he lays.”

The graphic image she painted forced my eyes closed for long moments, which gave her a chance to drag me toward the door. I went with her, thinking to lure her away from Eddie as far as possible. I let her haul me out onto the small porch, my eyes not once leaving Eddie, who had yet to move an inch.

I was scared. Terrified. But I couldn’t let the fear swallow me whole. I had to protect Eddie.

The second my feet hit the wooden slats on the deck, I surged up, taking control of my body again and shoving away from the woman. I went to shove her backward, hoping she would tumble down the stairs, but she moved quickly, sliding around me so I was the one with my back to the steps.

“Help!” I screamed as loud as I could, then lunged toward her, hoping to rip the weapon out of her hands.

Unfortunately, she seemed to anticipate my move and countered it with one of her own. Bringing up the oar once more, she swung it like a bat, hitting me square in the face. Pain exploded throughout my head, and I fell backward, grappling for something to break my fall.

All I was able to grasp was air. I sprawled backward, flipped over the railing of the porch, and plummeted, smacking into the hard ground. I lay there stunned for long moments, trying to breathe, to realize what happened, and to get up and run.

But I couldn’t; my body wouldn’t cooperate, and everything radiated with pain.

The hulking shape of the widow came over me. She leered down.

“No,” I muttered, trying to sit up.

“I wish you would just die,” she spat, then smacked me again with the oar.

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