Page 36 of Rage

End this.Protect Meadow.Make the fucker pay.

I burst out onto the ground floor, wild-eyed and panting.The lobby is chaos.Patients and staff milling about in confusion.Security guards shouting into radios.And there, slipping through the automatic doors—Peterson.

“Stop him!”I bellow, shoving my way through the crowd.

But it’s too late.By the time I make it outside, Peterson is already stumbling into a waiting car.The engine roars to life, tires squealing against the asphalt as it peels away from the curb.

“No!”I roar, my voice raw with rage and frustration.

I sprint across the parking lot, my boots pounding against the pavement.The night air is cool against my flushed skin, the scent of exhaust fumes and rain-soaked asphalt filling my nostrils.Streetlights cast long shadows, creating a surreal landscape of light and dark.

The car’s taillights glow red in the distance, growing smaller with each passing second.I push myself harder, muscles burning, lungs heaving.But it’s futile.The gap between us widens inexorably.

I skid to a stop at the edge of the lot, watching helplessly as the car disappears around a corner.The sound of its engine fades into the night, leaving behind only the pounding of my heart and the ragged sound of my breathing.

“Fuck!”I scream into the empty street, my voice echoing off the surrounding buildings.

Rage and disappointment course through me.I slam my fist into a nearby lamppost, the impact sending shock waves of pain up my arm.But the physical discomfort is nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

I failed.Failed to capture Peterson.Failed to end this nightmare once and for all.Failed to keep Meadow safe.

The thought of her sends a jolt through me.Meadow.She’s still inside, probably terrified, wondering what’s happening.I need to get back to her.

As I turn back toward the hospital, my mind races.Peterson may have escaped for now, but this isn’t over.Not by a long shot.I’ll hunt that bastard to the ends of the earth if I have to.

But first, I need to make sure Meadow’s okay.To hold her in my arms and promise her that everything will be all right.Even if I’m not entirely sure of that myself.

With one last glance at the empty street where Peterson disappeared, I head back into the hospital.My steps are heavy with the weight of failure, but my resolve is stronger than ever.

This isn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

six

Meadow

Mason bursts through the door, his eyes wild, chest heaving.One look and I know.Peterson’s gone.

“Fuck,” he slams his fist against the wall.The impact echoes through the room.

My stomach drops.“What happened?”

Mason’s jaw clenches.“Slippery bastard got into a car.Couldn’t get to him in time.”

Konrad curses under his breath.I sink onto the exam table, wincing as the movement pulls at my freshly stitched wound.

“Mrs.Peterson,” I say, the realization hitting me like a freight train.“She’s not safe here.”

Mason’s at my side in an instant, his hand warm on my back.“We’ll protect her,” he says, his voice low and fierce.

Konrad nods, already reaching for his phone.“The compound,” he says.“Brian’s running it now, but there should be room.”

“Perfect,” Mason agrees.“We’ll have eyes on her twenty-four seven.”

I look between them, hope blooming in my chest.“You really think that’ll work?”

Mason’s eyes lock with mine, intense and unwavering.“I promise you, darlin’.That bastard won’t get within a mile of her.”

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