Page 46 of Perilous

“That’s about it? What does that mean? Why did you use a weird tone?”

I shrug.

“Are you fleeing the country with some guy?”

“No,” I say.

Hey, I didn’t lie!

“Okay,” Molly says. “So you’re telling me you met some guy that night and you’ve been with him this entire time? Ignoring your phone? You have people scared.”

“Oh well,” I say. “I’m doing something for myself.”

“Annika, I have to ask this. Are you on drugs?”

I actually laugh. “Drugs? No, Molly. I’m not on drugs.”

“You’re different. Don’t lie to me. Something…”

Molly’s eyes suddenly go wide. Very wide. Filled with fear.

My heart jumps into my throat. I turn my head, wondering if someone is here to kill me.

Nope.

It’s just Peri.

Perilous.

Standing a few feet away from me. Black boots. Black jeans. Black T-shirt. Muscles pouring from the sleeves of his shirt. Hands flexed into tight fists, veins throbbing. His eyes narrowed like a snake about to strike, looking right at Molly.

I swallow hard and face Molly again. Her cheeks are red.

“Is that…?”

I nod.

“Annika…”

I see movement from the corner of my right eye. My lips part and I suck in a slow breath.

We’re not alone.

I turn my head. Molly does the same.

“Oh fuck,” she says.

She grabs the edge of the table. I don’t know why but I reach across the table and grab her wrists.

“They won’t hurt you,” I say, not knowing what the intentions are here.

We’re both looking at someone dressed in a black robe with a mask covering his face. The figure is big. Really big. As big as Peri. I slowly look to my left.

There’s another one!

I look at Molly and my eyes move beyond her. I feel my eyes growing wide, just like hers did when she saw Peri. Molly turns her head, sees the third man dressed in a black robe and mask, and she jumps up.

The figure behind her lifts his right hand up to his mouth. He puts up one finger.

---