Page 242 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
She finally unlatched it and opened the door to the summer city night. The sound of cars echoed in the distance, but an oppressive quiet filled the posh neighborhood.
Piper stumbled up the walkway to the front door. Two lights hanging on either side of the door spilled light overhead, making her feel like she was in a spotlight.
Anxious, she shifted on her feet. Hesitating, she looked back at her mom’s car on the street.
She could just make out Justin’s silhouette waiting inside.
What the hell was this about?
Was he…spying on someone?
She didn’t want any part of his crap, but she had the unsettled feeling he was going to come unglued if she refused.
Her arm throbbed where he’d squeezed her wrist. A promise that it would be worse if she didn’t comply.
So she shook off the dread then reached out and pressed the doorbell.
It echoed like a gong within the walls of the rambling house.
She itched as she waited.
So much time passed that she almost gave up and went back to the car when she heard shuffling from within. A second later, the door cracked open and someone peered out.
“Can I help you?” It was an older man’s voice.
She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if you could give me directions to the nearest gas station?”
“Oh, that’s no problem.” The older man widened the door, his white hair sticking up all over his head from his sleep, his smile gentle as he gave her directions, pointing back in the direction that she’d come from five minutes before.
Then he frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Just a little frazzled that I’m almost out of gas and don’t know my way around this part of town.” She hated that the lie bled from her so easily. Wished she’d instead told him that she was forced into going to his door.
Wished she’d told him she was afraid.
His expression turned sympathetic. “Well, you’re in luck. You’re super close. And if you have any more trouble, you know where to come back to for help.”
“Thank you,” she whispered through the apprehension.
“You’re welcome. Have a good rest of your night and be safe out there.”
She gave a jerky nod, then turned and fumbled her way back to the car.
The unease she’d been feeling amped a hundredfold when she opened the door and found that Justin was no longer in his seat.
Sickness coiled in her guts as she sank down into the driver’s side.
Hands fisting the steering wheel, she struggled to breathe.
Struggled to think.
To come up with a plan.
Her body trembled, and she thought to just drive off and leave him there.
But there was something that kept her trapped.
Nailed by what he had uttered that had sounded so much like a threat.
