Page 3 of The Last Sinner

She’s running straight at me!

My heartbeat is in the stratosphere.

Saying a quick prayer, I withdraw the knife, my thighs tight, ready to pounce.

Suddenly her stride breaks and she veers sideways!

What!?! No!

Did she see me? Anticipate my plans?

No. A skinny, drenched cat, caught in the storm, gallops across her path before diving under the protection of a parked car.

Muttering a curse, she hurries forward again, her umbrella her shield.

Not a good enough weapon, I think. No. Not nearly good enough. She’s barely ten feet away when I notice a shadow behind her, a figure running through the curtain of the rain.

What? No!

She’s nearly to me.

I coil, ready to spring.

“Kristi!” a voice yells, and she half turns.

Startled, I lose my concentration.

Who is that? Someone who knows her? A witness?

No, no, no!

I flatten against the wall of the cathedral.

In a blink, she steps deeper into the alley, sweeps past me.

What?! NO!

I take off after her.

This can’t be happening!

Tonight is the night!

I sprint. Faster. Faster.

Splashing through the puddles.

I’ve waited far too long for this to go wrong.

I won’t be denied!

I’m only a step behind.

Suddenly, in a flash, she whirls.

Faces me.

My heart stops.

---