You never know how you’ll react in the moment, until the moment comes.
I fall over the rocks into the cabin’s frame and land on the rotting floorboards. It’s jarring, but I’m okay. The impact isn’t as hard as when I was slammed into the mat while training with Shane.
Daniel hops the short rock wall and stands over me.
“I told you to undress. Stop stalling!” He punches me in the face.
More adrenaline pours into my veins as I gasp in pain.
His groin is protected. And if we’re both standing, I won’t be tall enough to reach his throat. He’ll spot the knife coming for sure. This is not the moment.
If he pins your arms, you’re finished. The knife will be useless.
Or he’ll find it and use it on you.
My heart hammers so hard it feels as if it’ll beat its way out of my chest.
If you raise the blade, you can not hesitate!Shane’s voice barks.
I plan my moves in an instant.
This is your moment. Take it!
I grab Daniel’s sweater and jerk him down with my left hand. He falls, landing on top of me. With my right hand, I press the knife’s button, activating its spring action.
Now, now, now!
The blade is silent as it emerges. My arm swings, and the knife cuts through the air.
I slam the blade under Daniel's jaw until it can’t go deeper, and then drag my arm forward toward his chin. The practiced motion is automatic.
At first, there’s nothing but my ragged breath, and his confused expression.
The blade hits something hard, maybe his Adam’s apple. At the same time, a gash opens in the knife’s wake. Blood sprays out and bursts upward as a beating, red geyser.
He jerks back, shocked.
The blade’s caught, and I’m wrenched upward and forward, but then the knife pulls free. I fall back onto the ground, knife in hand, staring up at him.
He opens his mouth to scream, but there’s only a broken, spluttering sound. Blood splashes outward in pulsing beats, and he grabs at his neck to try to stop it.
Daniel staggers upright to escape, but instead of backing away, he lifts his foot to stomp on my face.
I roll sharply to the side. His leg barely misses me when it pounds down, cracking a board. Daniel teeters, trying to regain his balance.
Almost got me. Could’ve knocked me out. And killed me.
Shane’s voice in my head says,You don’t stop ’til he’s dead.
I lurch up and shove Daniel with all my might. He topples and lands hard. Dropping down on top of him, I kneel on his arms.
His attempt to knock me off fails. He’s weakening.
When I bring the knife down, he sees it coming and turns his head just in time. The blade skids off his cheekbone instead of entering his eyes socket.
You don’t stop.
I grab his hair, holding his head, and try again.
