Page 87 of Wicked Nasty

Instantly, my stomach drops. "Oh god, you've done most of the work!"

Danny lets out an exasperated sigh. "Becca, you were in the hospital. It's okay. We've been working as a team this whole time. I'm not upset or worried about it."

I can't help but feel guilty for not being able to contribute as much as he has. "Are you really not mad?"

He nods earnestly. "Absolutely not."

“Okay. If we-”

The words caught in my throat as the blare of the house alarms suddenly pierced through the air, assaulting our ears with their deafening sound.

My heart thumped against my ribcage as Katya burst into my room, her face twisted in fear and urgency.

"She's here!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Becca, come! You have to hide with me!"

Without hesitation, I grabbed onto her hand and allowed her to lead me into the spare bedroom. With swift movements, she flung open the closet door and pushed me inside.

"Quick!" she urged, a look of panic in her eyes. "Press your thumb on that white square!"

I did as she said without question, and to my surprise, a hidden wall slid open to reveal a small room. Katya gave me one last push before disappearing into the darkness of the room herself.

"Danny!"

Katya shook her head solemnly. "He will be okay. The police are on their way." As the door closed behind us, enveloping us in complete darkness, I could only hope that she was right.

My heart pounded in my chest as we huddled in the darkness of the hidden room. The muffled sounds of the alarm still penetrated the walls, a constant reminder of the danger lurking outside. I could feel Katya's rapid breathing next to me, her hand gripping mine tightly.

"Who?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the alarm.

Katya hesitated before answering, her voice laced with fear. "Your mother."

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. My mother was here? What was she doing? Why did we have to hide?

Before I could voice my questions, a loud crash echoed through the house, followed by the sound of splintering wood. My body tensed, imagining the worst.

My breath caught in my throat as I heard heavy footsteps moving through the house. The alarm suddenly cut off, plunging us into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of drawers being yanked open and items being thrown to the floor.

"Where is she?" a shrill voice demanded.

My mother's voice. I would recognize that tone anywhere - cold, angry, unhinged.

Chapter twenty-four

Daniel

Horns

Becca'sfatherburstsintothe bedroom, his face twisted with fear. "Where-"

"Becca and Katya are safe," I interject before he can finish his sentence.

He lets out a breath of relief. "Thank god."

But there is no time for celebration, as a loud crash echoes throughout the house. We both rush downstairs, adrenaline pumping through our veins.

"Danny, I can't ask you to do this. Becca's mother is dangerous," he says urgently.

I shake my head, determination in my eyes. "I'm here. Tell me what's going on."

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