Page 74 of Wasted Memories
“Fucking bitch!” Felix sprung up from his seat but I was faster, already at the door. I tried to grab the handle, my hands being bound making it difficult. The door was already unlocked so once I got my grip, I ripped it open.
He grabbed me from the side, the gun still in his hand. It made it more difficult for him to get a proper grip on me so I twisted, slamming my knee in between his legs. It took him off guard, his hands reaching to grab his crotch on instinct.
I ran out the door, the snow already over five inches deep. The cold bit at my skin, the snow falling so thick I could barely see more than six feet in front of me. I didn’t care which way I was going as I ran through the woods, trees popping up in front of me as I sprinted.
I tried to pull at the zip ties but they didn’t give. The snow was over my shoes, the cold biting at my ankles. I forced myself to ignore the cold and keep running.
“You won’t get far out there!” Felix yelled through the forest. His voice sounded like it was far off, but the noise could have been skewed by the snow and trees so I didn’t trust it, keeping my pace.
I was sweating despite the cold, which would be dangerous at these temperatures. If I could make it to the road, I might be able to find Wesley before he headed to the cabin. The only problem was that I didn’t know which way the road was.
A twig snapped behind me and a hand grabbed the back of my shirt, pulling me backwards. I yelped, my ankle catching on a root under the snow, causing me to fall backward. My head slammed into the ground, the snow not deep enough to cushion the impact.
My head swam as I saw Felix standing over me, my eyes staring into the barrel of the gun. “You won’t kill me, Felix. You need me,” I mumbled through the fog returning to my head from the impact.
“Just as stubborn as your father. All I have to do is hurt you to make you quit playing games.” Before I could register what he said, he moved the barrel of the gun to point at what had to be my leg. He was going to shoot me.
I heard what I thought was shuffling, and then something knocked into Felix and the gun fired. I screamed, waiting for the pain to bloom.
Chapter Forty Four
Wesley
Islammedintotheground on top of Felix, trying to wrestle the gun out of his hand. The snow caused the metal to slip, making it hard to get a good grip. Felix thrashed against me, landing a punch to my jaw.
I grabbed his wrist, slamming his hand into the ground, causing him to drop the gun as what had to be the bones in his hand snapped. Emerson’s screamed echoed in my ears and I fucking hoped the bullet hadn’t hit her.
All I wanted to do was check her, make sure she was safe, but I had to take care of Felix first.
He somehow managed to roll out from under me, the gun still buried in the snow. I jumped to my feet as he darted for Emerson, who had scrambled back, her back now pressed against the tree behind her. I could see the fear on her face as she tried to scoot away, her hands bound in front of her making it difficult. I was faster than Felix, grabbing the collar of his shirt and hauling him backwards. I slammed my fist into his face, holding him up against a tree with my other hand. Emerson’s face flashing in my mind, the zip tie on her wrists, fueled me as I slammed Felix’s head back against the tree.
“Wesley!” I heard Easton shout from behind me. He was crazy if he thought I was going to let Felix get away. He hurt Emerson. He laid his hands on her, possibly shot her, and all I saw was red. Rage filled my veins, my body running off the anger and adrenaline that made me want to keep beating the living hell out of Felix.
“Wesley!” he yelled again. I stopped throwing punches, keeping my other hand on Felix’s neck to hold him against the tree. I looked behind me, worried something was wrong with Emerson. “I’ve got it from here.” Easton was standing directly behind me, a gun in his hands, his uniform on. Scanning behind him, I saw four other officers, one crouched by Emerson.
I brought my eyes back to Easton, who nodded at me to let him go. I faced forward, seeing blood dripping down Felix’s face, his eyes already swelling. I hesitantly released him, taking a step back.
“Go check on her,” Easton said to me as he moved between Felix and me.
I turned around, racing to Emerson. The officer kneeling in front of her was taking off his gloves, holding her hands in one of his. I shoved between them, pulling my pocket knife out and immediately cut the zip tie. Closing the knife and shoving it back into my pocket, I held her frozen hands delicately, raking my eyes over her body to check if she was injured.
I yanked my jacket off, wrapping it around her. When I saw her eyes on me, the tears threatening to spill over, I slid my hand behind her head and gently pulled her to me. “Come here,” I whispered.
A sob broke loose the moment her body connected with mine. Her whole body trembled. She was frozen in my arms. I hooked my arm under her legs, picking her up as I stood. “I’ve got you, Em. You’re safe.”
“Stop!” I heard Easton yell. I turned Emerson away from the sound of his voice, shielding her body with mine. I looked over my shoulder to see Felix darting for the gun in the snow. Easton drew his weapon and had it aimed at him for less than a second before the sound of the shot ricocheted through the woods. Emerson flinched in my arms and I tightened my hold on her as she curled into me, tucking her head into my chest.
Felix dropped to the ground, his head landing face first in the snow. I cradled Emerson’s head to my chest as I watched blood stain the back of his shirt. It was better off this way. Anyone who put their hands on Emerson deserved nothing but the worst.
Chapter Forty Five
Wesley
“Didhesaywordfor word that he killed your father?” Easton asked Emerson, a notepad in his hand, pen poised above the yellow paper. He’d been standing beside her hospital bed asking questions for almost an hour.
I held her hand in mine, staring at the IV in her arm. The doctor said she had a mild case of hypothermia and a small concussion. He cleared her to leave, but Easton wanted to get the details of what happened written down before too much time passed.
I felt Emerson weakly squeeze my hand three times, our silent code forget me the hell out of here.
