Page 51 of Norah

Courage

ETHAN

Go in from the front or behind?Which tactic will have a greater chance of success?

If I go through a window, I’ll have no warning of what awaits inside. I’ll be dropping into a potentially lethal situation, having no forewarning of what to expect. No chance to observe in order to gain an advantage. I’ll be going in blind, which is never a smart strategy.

If I come in from the front, I’ll be able to listen as I approach and prepare myself before entering the apartment. Maybe I’ll be able to pinpoint where Norah is inside and what danger is lurking within.

Potential scenarios fly through my mind. Norah trapped in the bathroom, in the bedroom, or face to face with the unknown threat in the living room. There are so many possibilities, and the wrong decision could be deadly.

I needeveryadvantage I can get. That decides it. I’ll attack from the front. Assess the situation before engaging. Figure out the best plan to get Norah out of the apartment,thendeal with the intruder. As I run towards the entrance to the building, an intense wave of foreboding washes over me, stealing my breath.What if I’m already too late?The thought is agonizing, crushing, but I push it away.She has to be OK.

I shove past a man heading out the door as I rush inside. He stumbles, cursing at me, but I keep moving, needing to go faster. My speed is inhumanly fast, but I don’t care at this point.Nothing matters except Norah.

As I hit the stairwell, another current of fear hits, choking me. I know that whatever I thought could happen; the reality is far worse. My movement is frenzied, desperate, and I leap from stairwell to stairwell. The metal stairs clang, my footsteps echoing so loudly I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire building heard them.

I make it to the fifth floor and shove the door open hard enough to make dents in the metal. The hallway is empty and silent. I can’t detect any sound; the only thing I can sense is an unusual oily odor. It smellsevil, though I can’t pinpoint why. My heart pounding, I fly to our apartment in a flash. My mind is beggingplease, please, please be OK.

I stand in front of the closed door and twist the knob with a trembling hand. It’s unlocked, which sends my pulse skyrocketing to an unprecedented level.She always locks the door.Even though Iknewthat Norah’s message was real, that someone was inside the apartment, a part of me still hoped she was mistaken. That she had a bad dream, or got frightened by a noise; something to explain away her concern. Now that bit of hope is gone.

I listen at the door, pressing my ear to the cool metal. Nothing. I take a deep breath and twist the knob cautiously, soundlessly. Pulse racing, nerves ablaze with fearful anticipation, I open the door to look inside.

NORAH

The pavement rushes towards me, and I hit the ground with a shocking thud.

I twisted as I fell and landed on my side, and bones in my left arm and leg snap like twigs. A blaze of pain engulfs my body, so intense that everything goes black. My mouth opens to scream, but the impact forced all the air from my lungs, and the only sound I emit is a small whimper. Part of me wants to retreat into the black, to hide from the all-encompassing pain.

No. I won’t give up now.I only have the slimmest of head starts, mere moments to draw Simon away from the apartment. Away from Ethan, who will surely arrive soon. I have to push past the pain of my injuries and get away from here before Simon catches me. Hewillcatch me. Because even if hecan’toutrun me, eventually I’m going to stop and let him finish the deed. It’s the only way to keep Ethan safe.

As I stood in the apartment trying to form a plan, all I could think of were all the terrible ways this might end. Staying inside, waiting for Ethan, only to see him sacrifice himself for me. I could have attacked Simon, but that probably would have resulted in my death, leaving Ethan shell shocked and vulnerable when he arrived home.

The only way I could help Ethan was to run. To end this battle alone; no other victims, just Simon and I. So I need to get away from the apartment building, and let Simon kill me before Ethan can find us.

The dark little voice reappears, whispering,he’ll hate you for this. Ethan will never forgive you for running, for not letting him help. I know it’s most likely true. He’ll feel betrayed, angry, devastated. Confused about why I wouldn’t wait for him. It’s another weight on my already crushed heart, but it’s one I must bear.

Simon told me the truth when he said he wouldn’t kill Ethan as long as he wasn’t involved in helping me. So I won’t let Ethan be involved, though I know he’ll never forgive me for it.CouldEthan beat Simon? Given how strong Simon has shown himself to be? I’m not sure. Ethan would be distracted, worrying about me instead of himself. And I have no doubt Simon would use me as leverage. I could envision Ethan offering himself in exchange for my life. Ican’tlet that happen, so I have to go forward alone.

It’s time to move.I hear breaking glass, which means Simon is not far behind. I use every bit of my enhanced strength, forcing myself to stand. A low keening cry sends chills through my bones, and I ponder its origin, before realizing it’s coming from me. A large shape comes falling fast, landing with a loud groan only a few feet away.Shit. I need to move now.He’ll be stunned also, but will it leave me enough time?

I lurch forward, broken leg screaming, and stumble into a lopsided run.Move. I will myself to run faster; trying to ignore the exquisite agony of fractured bones grating against each other with every step. Blood streams from a multitude of cuts, and I can hear the quiet spattering of it hitting the ground.

My lungs are whistling, wheezing. Sharp jabs strike with every labored breath. Broken ribs, from my best guess, piercing my lungs. A growling noise filters through the gasping wheezes, and I realize Simon is on the move again. The knowledge gives me more energy, somehow, and I tell myself,keep moving, keep moving, don’t stop yet.

I’ve ascended to a new plane of existence, one that allows me to shove the pain into a compartment to deal with later. I’m fully focused on running, forcing my body to obey my will. My left arm hangs limp as I move, twisted at an unnatural angle. I cough, and a thick fluid fills my mouth, recognizable by its coppery tang.

How badly am I hurt?I wonder, but the question is abstract, rhetorical. I know I’m seriously injured inside, but as long as I can keep heading where I need to go, I don’t care. My target is an alleyway just one more block away; it’s narrow and almost never used. Once I get there, I’ll be hidden from anyone approaching our apartment building.Just a bit further…

“Stop.” A hissed warning, tinged with pain. The voice isn’t far behind me.

I’ll stop soon enough.But not yet. Then we’ll finish this, regardless of the outcome. Almost there. A few more steps and I reach the entrance to the alley, then fling myself around the corner. It’s empty save for a large dumpster and several smaller trash bins, with scraps of garbage scattered nearby. An old metal fire escape juts out from one building, black paint fading and rusted.

There are four doors opening into the alley, two on each side, all shut. From my frequent walks past here, I’ve seen that the doors are usually shut, and I hope they remain that way. The last thing I want is an innocent bystander getting dragged into this battle. But I’ve gone as far as I can, so the cards will fall as they please.

Loud gasping breaths come closer, accompanied by heavy footsteps. He’s almost here. I have maybe a second or two to decide my best plan of attack. I’ll fight to my last breath, though I know the outcome is almost assuredlynotin my favor.

But there’s still a slight chance that I might walk away from this. If not walk away, at least I can further weaken Simon. Make him less of a threat against Ethan if they end up facing each other. Because I know that, despite my best efforts, Ethan could still find me before Simon is gone. I’m sure Ethan will find me eventually, but itcan’thappen yet.I still need more time.

---