Page 4 of Never Give Up

-B

Why she couldn’t have sent a text was beyond me, but there it is, written on the fridge.

“Thanks for the heart attack.” I roll my eyes and smile at the panic attack I’ve almost given myself.

Like an older sister, Brandi watches my back, making sure that I get taken care of when I’m too lazy or tired to take care of myself.

Exhaustion and the need for sleep propel me up the stairs toward my bedroom. But at the top of the landing, I go completely still.

My bedroom.

The door is open.

I always close it because of Brandi’s cat, and Brandinevergoes into my room.

The suspicion returns tenfold, slamming through my body until every single one of my nerve endings feel like they’re on fire.

The light above my head burns brighter.

The smell of the air freshener fills my lungs.

I hear every rasping breath my body inhales, like a choking sob that can’t escape.

And I feel the goosebumps creep along my skin, making the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

The house creaks.

The house, or a footstep?

My heart hammers as I stay still, listening as cold panic whispers inside me, demanding action.

I’m not alone.

Run.

2

MAYA

A soft creakwhispers through the air, followed by a tension-filled pause.

“Someone’s here.” My voice breaks as I try to keep my words as quiet as possible while I tell dispatch my problem.

I shiver as I grip my cell as tight as I can, putting all my energy into that hold. The logical part of my brain tells me to hide, to stay on the line, to wait for help. My training tells me to call it in, so I do.

But the emotional side? The one I can feel pounding inside myself? It’s urging me to get out. To run. To survive.

“It’s nothing.” I barely breathe. “It has to be nothing.”

That creak comes again, sending my heart tumbling through my chest down to my stomach and into my feet.

I don’t think it’s nothing.

“Stay on the line with me.” A heartbeat passes. “Maya?”

Like I’d hang up anyway.

“We’ve already got deputies on the way, you know that. Can you leave the house or lock yourself in a room?” His even and comforting voice fails to do what he wants it. It fails to reassure me that I’m not alone, that help is coming.

---