Page 26 of Splintered Memories
My cheek scraped against the bricks; fire laced across my ribs as a solid, strong body pinned me with an iron forearm locked across my shoulders and the base of my neck. It was impossible to move.
My pulse was an erratic pounding in my ears as I struggled against whoever held me. Panic swirled in my mind, a chaotic storm of incoherent thoughts and possibilities.
I tried to turn my head, to glimpse the assailant in my peripheral, but a hand gripped the hair at the back of my head and held it tight. My forehead ground into the unyielding wall, and I yelped as pain shot across my skin and scalp. The tip of my nose stung as it chafed against the rough brick.
I shivered as a hot, damp breath plumed at the base of my neck.
“You are going to stop what you’re doing,” a low, gritty voice whispered.
I screwed my eyes shut, trying to push away the blind panic. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, disappointed that my voice sounded about as weak as I felt.
The body behind me shoved hard, my bones protesting as they were compressed so tight I couldn’t breathe.
“Delete your videos.Allof them. You’re nothing but a liar spreading false gossip you can’t prove.”
“I’m not—”
He shoved against me again. It was a miracle my ribs didn’t crack. “You’ve been warned,” he said again. The voice was of a male, one I didn’t recognize. “Delete your videos or I won’t allow you to walk away next time.”
Before I could react, he jerked my head back, my spine protesting and my scalp screaming. He slammed my head hard into the side of the building with enough force to send sparks shooting across my vision.
I cried out. Pain burst across my forehead, ricocheting through my skull as the weight behind me disappeared. I was vaguely aware ofthose footsteps hurrying away, but I didn’t have the energy to look. The stabbing, throbbing pain made me close my eyes.
My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the ground.
9
August
Theflashofauburnhair caught my eye before she disappeared, gobbled up by the shelves of books lining the second floor of the coffee shop and bookstore. My hackles rose, teeth clenching as I made to follow her.
It had been a rough transition into my new employment situation. I didn’t enjoy being blackmailed into working for a man I barely knew. Emersyn wasn’t the only one struggling with this arrangement. Even so, the fact that she’d blatantly snuck away from me, risking her safety—it had my anger surging.
I was only trying to do my job. Whether she was just trying to piss me off, or there was something else going on here, this wasn’t a joke to me.
Sprinting up the stairs, I followed the direction Emersyn had fled. The scent of her perfume lingered in the air, a mix of sweet floral and warm amber. I wasn’t far behind, but as I stalked toward the end of the floor, she had disappeared.
My eyes scanned the space as I hit the back wall. There wasn’t anywhere to go, other than a door with an employees-only plaque glued to it.
After a brief inspection of the surrounding rows of shelves, all of which were empty, I returned to the door and tried the handle. It was unlocked. My mouth tightened as I entered into a stairwell. It was also empty. I descended the stairs, finding two doors at the bottom. One to the right, and one to the left. The one to the left was obviously an exit outside. Without even considering my decision, I opened that door and strode out into the sunlight.
I blinked out at a small parking lot, on alert for any sign of movement.
There was none.
My eyes narrowed as I took in my surroundings. Dumpsters to my right. It all seemed calm; the only sounds were the dull drone of vehicles from the main road. I glanced down at the ground. It was old pavement that was crumbling to gravel, but there wasn’t enough of it to make out footprints…
A soft, strangled cry had my head snapping up. My muscles tensed, ready to spring into action as I processed where the sound had come from. A few paces to my left was a gap between the tall buildings that lined Center Street. An alley leading to the main road.
I ran.
My heart jolted as I rounded the building and I peered down that alleyway.
Halfway down, a heap was crumpled on the ground, her vibrant hair a stark contrast against the gray, dusty gravel. A lance of fear struck my chest. My legs propelled me toward her as I called her name. I searchedfor blood, on alert for the metallic tang of it. I didn’t detect any, but that was little comfort.
It seemed like it had taken much too long to get to her. I gripped her shoulders, gently pulling her toward me.
A small gash marred her forehead. Blood oozed down her temple and the side of her face, but it was already slowing. She let out a low groan as I moved her. The sound of her consciousness sent relief coursing through me.
