Page 92 of Guarded from Danger

“I’m done with it. I’ve been done with it. Year after year of watching your perfect life. Famous author. Money. Loving parents. Living in a house your parents bought for you. And then, if that’s not enough, you find the perfect boyfriend. And you don’t appreciate any of it.”

I can’t seem to get enough air in my lungs.

She’s gone crazy.

I need to get out of this. But she has agun.

“Please. Put that away.” It comes out as a whisper, barely audible over the frantic drumming of my heart.

“Nope.” Kali bares her teeth in a rictus of a grin. “I’m going to take whatIdeserve for once. And watch perfect Lucy’s life fall apart at the same time. It’s going to be great.”

How can I get out of here? There have to be ways. But my brain… it doesn’t want to work. I can’t think. Gray spots are edging into my vision.

“You know, at first, I thought it would just be enough to see your life ruined,” Kali says, almost contemplatively. “And it should have worked.” She pauses. “Did you even know about the dark web? I bet you didn’t. Not perfect little Lucy. But I was intrigued by it.”

What?

No.

“Oh, yes.” Kali smiles, this horrible, devilish grin. “And when I found this game… Expiration Date. I was curious at first. But then I thought… wouldn’t it be interesting to see how you’d hold up? How long you’d last after your charmed life?”

Oh my God.

“It was so easy,” she continues. “All I had to do was suggest your name. Well, and provide all the information to find you. A photo. Your address. Your work schedule.”

How can this be?

Pain shears through me, along with a breathless sort of disbelief.

“But it didn’t work.” Kali huffs. “So I’m trying again. But this time, I have a better plan.”

I have to do something. Not just sit here gaping at her.

“So here’s what’s going to happen.” She tilts her chin at the water bottle on the coffee table; the one she offered me just a few minutes ago. “You’re going to drink that. I drugged it, so it’ll make you fall asleep shortly. And then, do you want to know what’s going to happen?”

“What?”

Stop staring at her. Come up with a plan. Now. What would Xavier do? Would he just sit here passively letting this happen?

“The dark web is so amazing. Did you know sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative businesses out there?” After a pause for emphasis, she says, “I’m going to sell you, Lucy. Forhalf-a-million dollars. The buyer will be here tonight to take… possession of his new property. And you know what else, Lucy?”

Think.

What do I have?

“What?” I bleat, while trying to string together actual thoughts in my head.

“You might not die right away. But you’ll wish you were. And I’m going to feel so good about it. Knowing that all the luck in the world won’t save you this time.”

In a flash of welcome clarity, my thoughts coalesce.

The earrings. How could I have forgotten so quickly?

And.

In my purse, the pepper spray Xavier insisted I carry. The purse that’s no more than a few inches from my hand.

“Drink the water. Now.” Kali jabs the gun towards me. “And don’t try anything funny. I’d rather not shoot you, but if I have to… I will. It’s not like you need to be in perfect condition for where you’re going.”

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