Page 25 of Protected from Malice
Eden still looks unconvinced. Her brow furrows. “Does that mean… you’re going back home? And someone else is going to help me?”
“No.”It comes sharper than I intended.
But the idea of leaving Eden right now… Well. It’snothappening.
“I’m staying,” I tell her firmly. “I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”
CHAPTER 5
EDEN
The nightmare fractureson a strangled scream.
But I’m still stuck in it.
Fighting to get out.
Kicking. Punching. Pleading.
No. Don’t. Let me go. Please.
“Eden. Wake up.”
The rational part of my brain whispers,It’sjust a dream. It’s not real. You’re safe.
But itfeelsreal.
All of it.
The sound of footsteps on asphalt. First walking. Then moving faster.
The damp chill in the air. The light rain misting over me. The shivers of cold turning to those of fear.
My heart racing. Lungs bursting. A panicked scream caught in my throat.
The pain. So much?—
“Brain. Wake up.Now.”
I want to.
But clinging tendrils of the nightmare won’t let me escape.
I twist. Kick. Fight. Butsomethingwon’t let me up.
Or is itsomeone?
Terrible images flash before my eyes, one after another.
A dark-clothed man creeps through my house, a gun dully shining in his hand and a malicious smile curving his lips.
A shadowy figure hunches behind the wheel of a truck, his teeth bared in a sinister grin.
The parking lot, dark and silent. Empty. Or at least I thought?—
“Eden. I need you to wake up now.”
The voice is rough. Commanding. Impossible to ignore.
