Page 132 of Steel

The drugs are still running through my system, but I’m pushing through, knowing I can’t stay here and wait for Dimitri to make good on his threats. If I don’t get out of this basement and find Austin now, I might not get another chance.

But first, I walk over to my mom, crouching down and resting my hand on the blanket. A tear slips from my eyes, and I wish this was like when she was in the kitchen—when she wasn’t really gone. If she could just wake up and tell me they didn’t use and discard her all over again.

She doesn’t.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Another tear slips out. “I’ll take care of him. I promise.”

I rub my eyes with the heel of my hands and pull myself together. I don’t like leaving her body here, but I don’t have a choice.

Slowly making my way to the staircase, my flip-flops slap against my heels, so I pause. I’m still wearing my sandals from the beach, and the sound is going to give me away if anyone is up there.

Reaching down, I slip them off and toss them to the side. They won’t help me hide, and they’re terrible for running, so even if it might hurt, I’m going to have to do this barefoot.

Making my way to the staircase, I take the first splintery step and wince. Small slivers of wood dig into the balls of my feet, but I don’t let it slow me down.

When I reach the top step, I press my ear to the door and listen. It’s quiet on the other side, and any voices sound far enough away that I might have a chance as long as no one is guarding the door. Reaching for the handle, I try to turn it, but it’s locked.

It was too much to think it would be that easy.

I crouch down and examine the door handle from this side. There’s a hole in the center that reminds me of the locks that used to be on the doors at an apartment Mom rented when I was in middle school.

I’ve picked this particular lock before, and I say a silent thank you to Mom’s magician ex for teaching me random things I never thought I’d need to know.

I hurry back down the stairs, looking for anything that might fit inside the small hole.

A safety pin, a stick.

Scanning the room, something on the ground catches my attention, and I walk over to find a bobby pin. There are very few reasons the guys would need this, which makes me think I’m not the first female they’ve kept down here.

I pick it up and try to ignore that thought.

Hurrying back up the staircase, I squat down to get another look at the lock. There’s still no sound coming from the other side as I bend the bobby pin and slip the long side into the hole. I can’t see what I’m doing, so I feel around with the pin, searching for a latching mechanism.

The bobby pin catches on something, and I try to tug, but it sticks, which means I’ve found the right spot. Pushing in and down, I twist, and the snapping of metal is followed by a light clicking sound.

It’s either broken or unlocked, so I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I try to turn the handle, hoping for the best. And when it turns, I exhale.

The door creaks as I slowly push it open, and I freeze, listening for movement. I wait for signs of footsteps from the other side, and when I don’t hear any, I push it open more.

Stepping out of the basement, I’m met with a dark hallway. There’s a dim light coming from one end, and from what I can tell, I think it’s the front of the house. The other direction is dark and quiet, with doors on either side.

I quietly close the basement door behind me, and with the final creak of the hinges, I hold my breath and wait until I’m certain no one heard me.

Making my way down the dark end of the hallway, I peek inside each room as I pass. There are mattresses and clothes on the floor. It’s messy, and the entire house reeks of body odor and cat urine.

Glancing in the room at the end, a small body on the mattress catches my attention, and I hurry inside when I realize who it is.

“Austin,” I whisper, dropping my knees to the mattress as I crouch over him.

I brush his sandy-brown hair off his forehead and run my fingers over his cheek.

“Austin, I need you to wake up for me. Please.”

Austin’s blue eyes blink open slowly. “Tempe?”

He rubs his hands over his eyes.

“Careful.” I brush the side of his face when he tries to sit up.

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