Page 42 of Sour Layer

Chapter 25

Honor appeared in her astral-projected state before my eyes between two trees. I knew this form, I’d seen her ghostly looking appearance before when she was cheating at hide and seek. Her lips were moving as if she were talking to someone wherever she was, even if she wasn’t talking to me.

Honor pointed to the east when all I wanted to do was run farther straight. Faster and quicker. I turned, knowing I was taking a chance.

My sister appeared to be floating beside me. “They’re coming for you. Stay the course.”

A shot rang out as I pumped my arms and legs harder and faster. Clouds formed overhead. The deep growl of thunder rolled above my head. Tears gathered in my eyes, and I felt the first drop of rain mixing with the sweat on my brow.

I ran faster, glancing over my shoulder in the direction of the house. When I did, my foot caught, and I fell. My ankle burned as another tear slipped free.

“Get up,” Honor prodded and glanced over her shoulder as if she could see the danger chasing me. “Get up, Mercy. You’ve got to run.”

I staggered to my feet and put pressure on my foot, holding in my scream from the pain. I met Honor’s gaze as I hopped around a tree, trying to hide from my impending doom.

“Don’t you dare give up,” Honor yelled and pointed her finger. “They’re coming for you. Don’t you dare give up.”

Another tear fell free, and the rain came harder. My sister glanced up at the sky. “That’s it. Bring on the tears. They’ll help to hide you.”

I put my foot down, adjusting my weight, and the tears turned into a steady stream as the thunder clapped louder overhead.

I heard the cuss words through the trees, and my heart stilled as I covered my gasp with my hand. Lynnfield was near, and there was no way for me to escape.

“Come out, girly,” Lynnfield called out. He sounded out of breath.

“He’s bleeding where you stabbed him,” Honor said, staring out from behind the tree in the direction of the voice. “Don’t let him find you, Mercy. He has a gun.”

I couldn’t even walk, much less run. I turned to hold on to the tree for balance, afraid if I moved, he’d hear me. This was it. I knew it. My sister was going to have to watch me die in these damn woods.

The footsteps got closer, making me inch farther around the tree. I held my breath, ignoring my urge to peek to see where he might be. Instead, I concentrated on the footsteps until they moved farther away. I rested my head on the tree trunk and let out a shaky breath.

“No time to rest. Start moving,” Honor yelled.

I pushed off the trunk, and I half limped and half hopped back in the direction of the house. If I could find a weapon, I might survive.

The house was in sight, and more tears fell as I heard the engine of a car nearing.

My heart flooded as I hobbled closer.

Band of arms snaked around my waist as I was lifted off my feet and a gun pressed against my head. “Where do you think you’re going, girly?”

“Betty, I know you’re in there. You aren’t going to let him kill me, are you?”

“She’s gone,” he whispered. His words were said through a sneer as Clark’s truck pulled into the drive. It had barely stopped when he jumped out with a gun pointed at us.

“Let her go, Lynnfield,” he growled and cocked the trigger.

“I don’t think so, Sheriff. This one is mine,” Lynnfield answered, turning the gun on Clark and pulling the trigger.

Blood bloomed on Clark’s chest as he fell to the ground.

Anger flashed with my scream. Lightning tore through the darkening sky.

“Concentrate, Mercy. You can do this.”

I clenched my eyes closed. If I was going to die today, I was taking this son of a bitch with me. Anger ruptured from within me. My muscles tightened until all I could see was red. The thunder clapped, and then I felt it. The sweet feel of heat striking the ground near us.

Lynnfield’s hold tightened as if he were terrified and was going to use me as a shield.

---