Page 117 of Truck Stop Tempest

I fell to my knees on the cold, wet cement. Every inch of my body screamed in protest. I screamed out loud through the pain at the storm. At God. I screamed for my mom. For Jonas. For wasted lives. I screamed until my voice gave out. Until I was empty. Until there was nothing left to purge. Depleted, I dropped my hands and my head to the ground. I cried, and I prayed. For forgiveness. For strength. For my mother.

A warm arm draped over my shoulder. Another wrapped around my chest. Tito lifted me to my feet. Made sure I was steady, then wiped the wet strands of hair off my face. “You good now?”

I nodded, finding peace and solace in those worried eyes. He yanked his shirt over his head, placed it over mine, and helped me pull my arms through the sleeves.

“You’re bleeding everywhere. Need to get you cleaned up.”

He guided me back through the diner. Two men held flashlights aimed on Erik. One bald, one with long, black hair. Both of them huge. The man Tito called Dane, whose face was hidden behind a long, unkempt beard, was tugging Erik down the hallway by his hair, hands secured behind his back, ankles tied together.

Erik’s eyes popped open, searching blindly. “Tuuli. Tuuli. Please. Don’t let them take me. Tuuli. Help me. Tuuli.”

“What are they going to do to him?” I whispered, unsure if I wanted the answer.

“Whatever it is, it won’t be enough.”

A hard shiver ran through me. More violence. More murder.

We followed them down the hall. Erik fought against his binds, bucking and twisting. The bald man laughed, swung his flashlight, and Erik went still.

“Stay here.” Tito braced my shoulders. Kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

I caught the door before it swung shut and watched him follow behind the bikers, all dressed in black leather. Physically, Tito was not as tall and not as big as the other men. But in their space, he was every bit as fearsome. More so even. They stepped away when he approached, as if in respect, or fear. I couldn’t be sure. It was dark. I was probably in shock.

As they paused to talk, I allowed myself one last look at the man who had tortured me and made me live in fear. I remembered the boy, the bully. I remembered the threats. The promises. His secret hideouts.

I hated that I wanted him dead. That knowing he would suffer gave me pleasure. I hated that he’d turned me into a monster.

Somewhere over the rainbow. A memory tickled my nerves.

I waited for a painful beat before following Tito outside. He didn’t notice. He didn’t hear me approach because he was bent over Erik with a hunting knife in his hand. And he was cutting. And although I couldn’t see the blood. I heard the sound, the screams.

Over the rainbow.

Somewhere over the rainbow.

I knew where he’d sent my mom.

I knew where to find her.

I needed to tell Tito. We needed to leave before it was too late, before she disappeared. I stepped closer, then paused when I heard him say, “I told you if you touched my girl again, you’d be fishing your fingers outta the lake.”

One of the bikers said, “Fuck. That’s fucked up.”

“I always keep my promises,” Tito growled, bending low to Erik’s ear.

I was done. Done. Done. No time to hide or move out of the way. I vomited. Right there. All over my shoes.

“Tuuli,” Tito grunted over his shoulder, not a lick of apology in his voice. “Shit, you were supposed to stay inside.”

He rose and came my way. Face and hands bloody.

“Don’t.” I backed away. “I can’t do this. I can’t do this anymore.”

So much blood.

He continued anyway, eyes wild.

“Stop, Tito,” I pleaded, desperate for a moment alone. To clear my head, to come up with a plan. “You’re a mess. Just give me your keys. I’ll wait in the car.”

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