“Enough of this shit!” Josh roars, frustration seeping into his voice. He’s getting closer, the rustling of bushes announcing his approach.
I look around, desperate for anything I can use to defend myself. My gaze lands on a jagged rock, half-buried in the dirt. It’s not much, but it’s something.
With trembling hands, I grab the rock, positioning it between my tied wrists in front of me. I try to stand, but Josh is already on me, his shadow looming large over my huddled form.
Before I can react, he lunges, grabbing me by the collar and hauling me up. “You’re done running,” he snarls, his face inches from mine, breath hot and reeking of cigarette smoke.
But I’m not done. Not by a long shot.
With a surge of adrenaline, I swing my arms up, driving the rock into the side of his head. The blow isn’t enough to knock him out, but it staggers him, his grip on my collar loosening.
I twist free, bolting in the opposite direction, the rock still clutched between my hands like a lifeline. But before I can get far, he recovers, tackling me to the ground with bone-jarring force.
We hit the earth hard, the impact resonating through every fiber of my being. For a moment, the world spins, everything a blur of pain and confusion. But Josh’s enraged curses cutthrough the haze, snapping me back to the dire reality of my situation.
“You little—” he curses, his fingers closing around my throat, squeezing tight. “You’re going to pay for that.”
I struggle to breathe. My vision darkens at the edges, black spots dancing before my eyes. I try to push him off, but I’m weakening fast.
No. I can’t die here.I won’t.
With the last of my strength, I thrash wildly, using the rock to hit him and breaking free from his chokehold. I roll to the side, gasping and coughing as my lungs burn with each desperate intake of air.
I force myself to my feet, every muscle screaming in protest. But I won’t go down without a fight. I can’t.
“Enough,” Josh growls, his voice dripping with menace. “Stop, or I’ll shoot you.”
I turn to run, my legs feeling like lead.
A gunshot cracks through the air. I stumble, the sound ringing in my ears.
I stop, my whole body shaking. Did he shoot me? Am I dead?
“Next one goes in your leg,” Josh shouts. “Stop running!”
I stand there, my chest heaving, mymind racing. This can’t be happening. Not again. Not another gun. A hysterical thought flits through my mind—maybe I could offer Josh my father’s American Express Black Card. Surely, that’s worth more than whatever he’s being paid for this.
Josh limps toward me, fury etched on his face. “You’re more trouble than you’re worth,” he snarls, raising the gun.
Yes, I am.
A car engine roars in the distance. Hope flares in my chest. “Help!”
Josh grabs me, pressing the gun to my temple. The metal is hard against my skin, and I fight the urge to vomit.
“Always wanted to be the star of an action movie,” I murmur, “but this is ridiculous.”
The vehicle screeches to a halt, and my heart leaps. Ryder bursts out, gun drawn, face pale. He looks like hell, but he’s still the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
“Ryder,” I breathe, relief and terror warring inside me.
“Don’t move,” Josh warns, tightening his grip. “Or I blow her pretty head off.”
“Ryder...” I whisper, fear closing my throat.
Josh yanks me closer, the gun pressing harder against my temple, and I can’t hold back a scream of fright.
Ryder raises his gun, but something’s wrong. His skin looks thin, almost translucent, stretched tight over his face. Is that pain in his eyes?
