Page 58 of 1st Shock
I'm seated on the floor, legs splayed in front of me, my pulse slamming. The seat of my jeans is damp from the mildew and wood rot underneath me and a chill shoots straight up my spine. I can't think too hard about that. I know how this goes. Mom always tells me what I focus on grows. I'll think, and think and think, and then I'll feel it, that idling panic waiting for its moment to take over. To steal my air and any ounce of sense in my head.
I glance at the broken window, currently the only light source illuminating the she-shed. As petite as I am I won't fit through it. The door, barely ten feet away, is my only option but with my hands tied behind my back I'll need Billy Ray distracted for at least a few seconds so I can maneuver to my feet. He's left them free. Why, I'm not sure, but he’s far from stupid. He has a plan. One that requires them to be of use and I don't like it.
I also don't like the knife sheathed at his waist.
Another shout from outside spins him toward the entrance—move—and I bend my knees, readying myself to roll and hop to my feet. At least until Billy Ray angles sideways, his squirrelly gaze shooting between me and the door.
He points to said door with a trembling finger. Right now, Billy Ray is not the cold, methodical killer we anticipated. He's nervous.
Unprepared.
Anxious.
In this moment, he's more dangerous than ever.
He jabs that finger again.Jab, jab, jab."Who's out there?"
I shrug. I need every mental advantage so I'm not about to tell him it's Charlie. If I know my sister, she's brought plenty of reinforcements. I just need to hope they get in here before he slices my throat open.
My chest seizes. The panic, that evil bitch inside me, is coming awake, ready to strike. I force out a slow, steady breath, then another.I'm okay.Once I get out of this, I can fall apart.
I peer up at Billy Ray. He's watching me, his eyes lit with smug dominance that fires something inside me. I push my shoulders back and meet his haunting gaze. Sorry, ace.He may have my hands tied, but I refuse to give in.
Not happening.
“Billy Ray, stop this. Whoever is out there will check the shed. Everyone knows this is my quiet place. My van is parked in its usual spot, so they know I'm here somewhere. No one will leave until they find me. You know it."
"Shut up."
"Billy Ray—"
He rushes straight at me, just an explosion of energy that snaps me back. Dammit. That flinch just gave him the power I so desperately clung to. He knows it too. Intends to capitalize, I'm sure.
Move.
I shift my weight, but he's too fast for me. His hand shoots to my neck, his rough, gnarly fingers wrapping around my throat. Huge hands. Absolute frying pans. The knife at his waist blurs my vision. This is how he does it. His victims. He waits for them to pass out then nearly decapitates them. God help me. I can't die like this.
My ears roar and the anxiety I've kept on lockdown stirs, swirling in my belly and rising. Up, up, up. Billy Ray squeezes harder, enough that my air is gone and the pressure behind my eyes builds. Then he releases me. Squeeze, release, squeeze, release.
Bastard.
"I'min control," he says.
The door swings open, banging against the inside wall. A blast of light blinds me and I blink, then do it again as Billy Ray’s grip eases. The infusion of air clears my vision enough to see Charlie standing there, backlit by the growing clouds behind her. Feet planted, hands on hips, she's Wonder Woman without the costume.
Billy Ray whips his head around. "Jesus."
My sister. The badass.
The sight of her shatters my panic and my lungs take in a stream of moist, mildewy air.
Charlie doesn't look directly at me. I know her. If she sees fear in me, she'll...I don't know what she'll do, but she's a pro. She knows emotional stability is imperative, so she keeps her focus on the man with his hand clamped on her sister's neck.
She holds up her hands. "I'm unarmed. But there are various branches of law enforcement surrounding us. This is over, Billy Ray. Let go of her before I unleash hell on your ass."
Ooh, good one.Way to rile up the control freak. Make him come a little unglued.
He squeezes my throat again and I struggle against his grip, attempting to pry myself loose. Not an easy task with my hands restrained, but I don't care. Charlie is here. Two against one. No matter how big he is, we outnumber him. Wewillwalk out of here.
