Page 16 of Shattered Secrets
Blood stains my shirt and spreads quickly, dripping onto the floor at an alarming rate. It won’t be long before I pass out from blood loss. I need to hurry. I’m the only one who can save her. I’m ready to give my life to save her.
I struggle to my feet and try to swing at him with the pocket knife still in my hand, but I can’t move the injured arm. Fuck. I pass the knife to my other hand, ignoring the almost unbearable pain, using the pumping adrenaline to move forward.
He steps back, reaches into the waistband of his pants, and pulls out a gun. I freeze. I won’t be able to kill him before he shoots.
“I prefer not to make a lot of noise,” he says. “There are campers nearby in the forest. I don’t want to startle anyone. But you leave me no choice. I didn’t think you would come for this whore. Was she such an excellent fuck, then? I’ve had better.” He tilts his head.
I lunge with a roar, drop all my body weight on him, and knock him to the floor. I shake my head, fighting the darkness threatening to overtake me while struggling for the gun.
In my hazy fragments of consciousness, I slam his hand into the floor.
A loud bang fills the space as the gun goes off. My ears ring, and a moment later, the gun drops onto the floor.
I punch him, trying to knock him out. He’s weaker than me, but I’m not in the best shape at the moment. One hand is dangling like a lifeless limb.
I punch him in the face again and hear a scream, not realizing I’m the one making the noise. The son of a bitch has gotten a hold of the knife in my shoulder and is twisting it. I see stars. I can’t pass out now. I must stay awake.
With my last bit of strength, I put my elbow on his neck in an attempt to make him lose consciousness. He struggles beneath me, writhing. A black shadow covers my field of vision, but the adrenaline and near-death experience give me supreme power. I have someone to fight for.
I shout and put more weight on his neck, pressing down and holding him in place until I feel him weaken beneath me. His struggles weaken, and his body goes limp. Lifeless.
I lay on him for a few moments more before pulling away, panting.
My shirt is soaked in blood, and I’m dizzy and weak. I need to hurry.
I search his pockets for the keys to the handcuffs and find them. Rising to my feet, I try to steady myself as the world spins around me.
But all I can think about now is Ayala, my Bambi, and all the suffering she’s gone through over these days. Torture I can’t even imagine.
I approach her, release her hands from the cuffs, and remove the gag from her mouth. She still isn’t moving. I lift her upper body and gently gather her into my arms. Her body is lifeless. I take a blanket and cover her.
Please, don’t let me be late again. I can’t lose her too.
She’s dead weight in my embrace, unresponsive. Dizziness hits me again, and I look through the fog at my shirt. Too much blood. I try to steady myself, leaning on the bed.
I close my eyes and see Ayala lying in the tub. Her wrists are cut, and red water pours onto the floor. Too much blood…
Another explosive sound echoes in my ears. I look down.
Bloodstains spread on my shirt.
Fuck.
CHAPTER8
Ayala
Istroll down the winding path and smile at the sight of the sparkling water of the lake. This is the lake Ethan took me to, the place where I fell in love with him. It will forever be imprinted in my memory. Our first date. I smile and spin around as the trees rustle overhead. I see Ethan smiling back at me, his eyes glinting in the sun, my favorite golden color.
A boat in the lake sails in our direction, and I’m fascinated at the sight. Maybe we’ll go sailing?
I hear Ethan talking to me. He’s calling my name.
“I’m here,” I shout, but he doesn’t seem to hear me. Why doesn’t he hear?
“Ethan!”
I try to blink. My eyelids are desperate to open. Why does it hurt so much? What’s happened? I can’t remember. My legs kick instinctively as I feel an unwanted touch, and my thoughts snap back to reality.
