Page 31 of Out to Find Freedom

Was he suspicious at all?

Why did he go outside when Ryan was calling out?

Did I screw everything up?

My heart hammered hard in my chest. I didn’t know what to think, what to do; all I could do was wait. Why did I message a man who seemed to care?

I should have left it alone.

Why had Ryan lied about his name?

If Ryan saw me, did that mean Lenny also did?

Footsteps pounded on the floor above. I gripped my arms tightly, knowing I would probably bruise from it, but I couldn’t stop.

The door opened, someone slammed their feet on the stairs.

Gloria’s jean-clad legs came into view.

Shit, shit, shit.

Did she have a weapon on her? Would she consider killing Ryan? Was Lenny smart enough to actually suspect something?

Her hard gaze clashed with mine.

Jesus, what would I usually do when she came down? Did my expression give anything away? Was I actually looking normal?

“Did you speak with the neighbour?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What? No.” I shook my head.

Her lips thinned. She stormed forward. I raised my arms, batted at her hands, but she managed to grab my hair and neck, tugging me roughly from the bed. She shook me. I gripped at each of her wrists to try and stop the lack of air and scalding pain shooting over my scalp.

“Did you talk to the neighbour?” she demanded, spittle dripping from her mouth.

“No!” I choked.

She dropped her hold. When my body slumped to the floor, I dragged in ragged breaths. How could I make her believe me? I didn’t see an option. I would just try as I was and hope I wasn’t too hurt by the end of it.

“I’ll ask one more time. Did you talk to the neighbour?”

I shook my head.

“Answer me,” she snarled before her booted foot connected to my stomach.

“No!” I yelled, folding in on myself. “No, no, no,” I repeated again and again.

My hair was gripped once more, my head forced back so she could stare down at my tear-streaked face. “If I find out you have, I’m heading over to that bitch’s place and will make sure she pays for your lies.”

“I didn’t. I haven’t said anything. W-why are you asking me?”

Please, please believe me.

“Gloria,” Lenny called down the stairs. “A car just pulled up next door.”

“Better start praying nothing comes to bite us on the arse,” she threatened before throwing her hand out, still attached to my hair. I fell to my back from the force. She swiftly left the room.

Slowly, I sat up, wincing from the ache in my stomach. At least this time I didn’t think anything was broken. A door above opened and closed with force. Sounds of muffled voices touched my ears. Standing, I staggered over to the bed and climbed on. I moved my head to the side so my ear was closer to the opened window. Only it didn’t help to clear the voices up. They must have been all the way out the front.

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