Page 34 of Choose Me

One...two...three...four...five...six…

"I made it out of the penthouse. I'm trying to get on the elevator." I whispered into the phone.

"Okay, baby. That's good, babe. Keep talking to me." James' voice was strained.

My eyes darted frantically from the door to the penthouse to the numbers on the elevator and back again, wondering when the intruder would realize I had escaped. My heart was beating in my throat as the seconds ticked by like molasses. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to panic, but I knew I had to stay calm.

"James, I'm scared." I panted.

"I know, but you're doing great. Almost there."

Seven...eight...nine...ten...eleven...pause…

"Fuck." I cried out louder than I intended.

"What?" James asked, panicked.

"The elevator stopped on the eleventh floor. I--." My words caught in my throat when a dark shape emerged from the penthouse door. A chill traveled down my spine as I slowly turned my head towards them, every move precise as though any sudden action would break the spell.

Their head tilted to the side like a puppy trying to understand human conversation, the rest of their body completely still as we watched each other. My eyes moved from the ski mask concealing their face, their all-black attire, to the knife clutched in their hand--arm dangling loosely to their side. A feeling of dread settled in my stomach as they stepped towards me. My feet stood rooted to their spot as I fought to move my muscles that were frozen in fear.

"They found me," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Ava, run!" His frantic voice jarred me, and I turned, my feet barely touching the ground as I raced towards the emergency exit and burst into the stairwell. I heard heavy footsteps pounding down the stairs behind me. I took the steps two at a time, adrenaline pumping through my veins, fear fueling every step. My heart felt like it would burst out of my chest as I pushed myself harder. The thought of reaching the bottom floor and safety kept me going.

The sound of their harsh breaths competing with mine filled the stairwell behind me, gaining on me--closer and closer, like a pack of hungry wolves closing in for the kill. My legs burned with exertion as I reached the ground floor landing and flung the door open. I stumbled into the lobby, and the receptionist looked at me, alarmed, with fear and confusion in her eyes. I raced past the front desk out the front door and slammed into someone.

I shrieked at the top of my lungs, my arms flailing to fight them off.

"Ava. It's okay. It's me." Everett's voice cut through my fear.

Relief flooded me as I threw my arms around him, clinging tightly to his muscular body. I exhaled, shaky, "They're in the stairwell."

"Assailant is in the stairwell." Everett talked into his earpiece and directed the local cops who had just shown up toward the penthouse. The wail of sirens grew louder as more police cars screeched around us. An ambulance stopped with a jolt, its bright red lights flashing wildly, and paramedics came rushing out, opening the back of the ambulance.

I clung onto Everett's body, my arms wrapped around his muscular chest, while he led me toward the ambulance. "You're safe, Ava. You're safe." He whispered in my ear. The paramedics rushed to me, but I didn't let go of Everett.

"Are you hurt, ma'am?" The male paramedic with his blonde hair secured in a ponytail questioned, his eyes scanning.

"It's okay. I'm not going anywhere," Everett promised me.

"No. I'm fine. I don't have any injuries."

The paramedic turned to Everett, "Sir, we have to check her over and make sure she doesn't have any internal injuries."

Everett nodded, and the paramedic motioned me to follow him into the ambulance. I let go of him reluctantly and stepped inside. The paramedic checked my vitals and shone a light in my eyes.

“What’s your full name?”

“Ava Monroe,” I answered.

“Do you know where you are?” he asked.

“An ambulance outside my apartment.”

“Good.”

He pressed on my stomach gently, "Any pain in your stomach when I press down?"

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