Page 100 of The Dark Obsession

The world snaps back, reality hitting me like a truck.

Ben pushes me forward.

Adriel sprints ahead, leading the way to a derelict brown barn.

I move as fast as I can, listening for the growling, approaching engine.

Rafael lowers me so I have to bare my own full weight. He holds my hand in a viselike grip and pulls me forward, my feet tangle time after time, and I wobble against the speed.

Benjamin is barely a meter behind us, I glance back daringly to see the car isn’t far behind. I feel a scream building inside me, another adrenaline rush pumps through, pushing me to run faster. Benjamin speeds up until he’s running alongside me.

Adriel doesn’t slow as he approaches the barn. He pushes his shoulder forward and aims for the door. With a crack, he bursts through the door and disappears inside.

Rafael follows him, yanking my arm over the threshold. He halts, and I slam into his chest.

I struggle to catch my breath. My heart feels as if it’s grown in size and is blocking my airway.

The door crashes shut behind Benjamin, shaking the unsteady wooden walls around us. The inside is pitch black. I can barely see Rafael in front of me. The small broken-down barn echoes with our deep breathing. Clouded light filters through the broken glass of the dust-covered windows.

I stop breathing, listening hard for any sign of movement from outside. It sounds empty. I can’t hear the angry purring of the car engine which chased us here.

Rafael’s hand curls around my waist.

I wince as his nails dig into my skin.

“Sorry,” he says with a heavy breath and guides me into his arms.

The band of muscles around his upper arms flexes, his grip tightening.

I grab his forearms, readying myself for the unknown.

Both Ben and Adriel stand just ahead of us, a human shield formed to protect me.

My lower lip trembles, each fibre of my being filled with sadness at the sacrifice in front of me.

Adriel faces us, his thin fingers outstretched and pointing towards the corner of the room. His lips move in the darkness. “Staircase,” he lets slip a tiny whisper through his lips.

Rafael releases me. His hand rests on my shoulder as he leans forward, whispering to Adriel.

Ben looks back at me, his piercing blue eyes panic-stricken.

My sight improves as I adjust to the lightless stable. Hay litters the barn’s stone floor, and a dust mote floats through the broken window. It curves and twists in the mangled light.

Benjamin reaches out.We’ll be okay, he mouths.

Rafael’s lips touch my hair, his breath blows softly into my ear. His words come fast. “There’s a stairway straight ahead. If Dale drives the car into this barn, we could all die. We need to take cover.”

“What if this is his plan?” My voice quivers.

Rafael’s arm wraps gently around my shoulder. “We’ve got no other choice. As soon as we’re down there, Adriel will contact some friends to help us.” His cold, sweaty hand pinches my cheek and takes hold of my trembling arm.

Benjamin moves quietly behind us.

Adriel starts forward. His footsteps are impossibly silent on the hay-strewn floor.

Rafael moves silently too, as if weightless, his breathing loud and uneven.

The hay rustles with each shaky step I take. I hear Ben behind me but don’t dare look back, for fear of tripping.

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