Page 2 of Amnesty

I didn’t like seeing the little guy there, though. I had an affinity for those toys, considering they reminded me of this town that was my solace and of Eddie… the man who completely stole my heart.

The one he’d given me was at home, on my bed, right atop the colorful quilt I loved so much.

Smiling at the warmth that suffused my heart at just seeing the little guy, I went over and bent to pick it up.

“How’d you get way over here?” I murmured, lifting it, brushing it off after I straightened.

A sudden creepy feeling stole over me. Gooseflesh rose along my arms and legs, a chill working its way up my spine.

With my heart suddenly in my throat, my stomach weighing the same as a bag of lead, I spun around, glancing behind me toward the tiny bathroom under the stairs.

At the very same moment, the wooden door burst open and something launched out of the small space right at me.

A shriek ripped out of my throat as the dark figure barreled into me, knocking me backward. I sprawled out on the floor, the hot, heavy figure weighing me down. I was caught up in the folds of the black cloak they wore, and I began to panic, feeling as though I’d been captured in a net.

The stuffed toy went flying as I fought the fabric, desperately trying to get free.

“No!” I screamed, struggling.

The figure grabbed my wrist and pinned it to the floor, and a sudden burst of rage, an emotion so powerful I didn’t even understand, lit up my insides like a bolt of lightning cracking through a dark sky.

“Nooo!” I roared again, this time sounding like a completely different person. Adrenaline gave my leg power as I jackknifed it up between my attacker’s legs.

He fell off me sideways, sliding to the floor like a puddle. Shoving up, I scrambled away. A hand caught my ankle, and I screamed and kicked, managing to get free.

The front door was already locked, but the back door was still open. Since I was near the back, I raced that way, not looking behind me at all. My feet slapped over the hard floors as I wheezed and rushed, so desperate to get outside I pushed on the door when I should have pulled.

I heard him behind me, and I muttered a cry when the door opened, the wintry air slapping me in the face when I lunged outside.

A hand grasped at my hair, caught the short strands as it floated out behind me, and yanked so hard I cried out. My body jolted backward as I was pulled against a chest, a strong arm latching around my torso so tight I was unable to breathe.

He began walking backward, as if he had all the time in the world and he wasn’t worried I would escape again.

He’s going to torture me. The things he did in the past are nothing compared to the punishment I’ll get for daring to live my own life.

With perfect clarity, I recalled something Eddie had taught me, a defensive move. Without thinking too much, I brought my foot up, hurtled it down over the attacker’s, and stomped hard. His body jolted, and I used my arm, lifted it, and brought it down to disengage the hold I was caught in.

Free, I took off running. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me over the expanse of tall grasses, against the biting wind, and through the rocky section that led to the lake.

The sound of water crashing against the shoreline was loud but welcoming, and the air was fresh and clear this close to the water.

My lungs screamed for air. Body halting, I bent at the waist to suck in great gulps and try to catch my breath.

Still scared for my life, I straightened and looked over my shoulder.

“Ahh!” I screamed. The figure was right there on top of me. His hands grabbed me like shackles, and instead of towing me back toward the store, he reversed direction and went to the water.

“No!” I protested, trying to struggle. Calmly, he dragged me backward, my heels rubbing over the ground, leaving a trail through the beach.

Water that had to be very close to freezing stole my breath the second it splashed up my legs and soaked my pants.

Terror made me fight harder. Memories of nearly drowning clawed at my head almost as strongly as the man dragging me into the frigid water.

All at once, I was freed of his clutches. My body was lifted and tossed. I plunged beneath the surface. It swallowed me in one big gulp. Bubbles escaped my nose and raced to the surface as I tried to follow.

Before I could manage, I was yanked up by the front of my shirt. I barely had time to gasp before I was plunged back under. This time his hands stayed on me, pressing me under… keeping me down.

I struggled and fought. He brought me up only to plunge me back down.

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