I chanced a glance over my shoulder to see him running after me and pushed myself to go faster. I prayed I didn’t run intoany zombies, because I didn’t have the luxury of slowing down or stopping. If I did, Justin would catch me. After being chased relentlessly for several blocks, I knew I had to do something to lose him. Being bike messengers meant that both Justin and I were reasonably fit and pretty equally matched. Taking a chance, I turned down a side street, and when I reached the end, I turned back to see that Justin hadn’t caught up with me yet.
Hoping it didn’t bite me in the ass later, I decided to back track slightly to the street across the way and cut over one more block. All I had to do was get across the street and out of view before Justin reached the end of this one. Hopefully, he would think I had continued in the same direction I had been going in, and I’d be able to lose him. When I reached the end of the street and turned the corner, I ran right into a group of four zombies. They were almost as surprised to see me as I was them. I managed to take one down, but quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to take them all out and keep the lead I had on Justin.
Continuing to run past them down the street was an option, but not one I thought of until after I had started climbing up the fire escape. Resigned to my path, I continued to the roof, praying I wouldn’t end up trapped. From the roof, I could see Justin looking around for me. He looked up and down the street and then at the street I had gone down. Apparently, I wasn’t as sly as I thought I was, because that was the route he chose. With any luck, the zombies I left behind would get him, and I won’t have to worry about him anymore, but I wasn’t about to put all of my eggs into that basket. I needed to find a way off this roof.
The gap to the building next door was only a few feet wide and could barely be considered an alley. While I didn’t have anything to bridge the gap, I was confident I could jump across easily enough. I climbed to the edge and tossed my bag and bat onto the next roof. With a fortifying breath, I leaped. I tried to roll into the landing as best I could, which was laughable to saythe least. Who did I think I was, a professional stuntwoman? Miraculously, I didn’t break anything, but I did end up scraping my arm pretty badly. A problem to deal with later.
I grabbed my bag and scrambled across the roof to the fire escape. I took it down as fast as humanly possible, nearly wiping out several times in my rush.
“Slow the fuck down, Em,” I muttered to myself.
When I got to the ground, I backtracked again and stayed beneath the awnings to prevent Justin from spotting me if he’d also gone onto the roof. Once I felt I was a safe distance away, I went down another deserted alley and hid behind a dumpster. I needed a breather and to take a look at my arm, which was stinging like a mother fucker. I carefully picked gravel and glass fragments from my arm and took stock. I didn’t have any deep cuts that would be concerning, but as soon as I met back up with the guys and my parents, I’d have to use the first aid kit packed in Papi’s bag to disinfect it.
The sound of pounding feet made me pause. Could Justin have already found me? Justin appeared at the mouth of the alley and stood quietly for a moment. Unfortunately, the alley I picked was a dead end. Justin now blocked the only way in or out. Maybe he would keep moving.
“Emmy,” he called softly. Ironic that he finally learned to keep his fucking voice down. “I know you’re down here. I could hear you breathing a block away. Don’t make this any harder than it has to be. Come back with me voluntarily, and I won’t punish you for trying to escape.”
I snorted at his words. Like fucking hell I was going to come quietly. If he wanted me, he was going to have to fight for it. I stood, bat at the ready, and started toward him. “Get out of my way, Justin. I’m not yours to keep, and I don’t fucking consent.”
Justin sneered. “As if consent matters anymore. Who’s going to stop me, Emmy? You?”
Even though he talked a big game, he eyed the bat nervously and took a step back for every step I took forward. He was so focused on the threat I posed that he failed to check his surroundings. Zombies attacked, likely having followed him through the streets. Justin screamed as they bit into him. He fell to the ground, and as they dug into their latest meal, I darted out of the alley and ran toward the memorial at full speed. I needed to get back to my people, my family, my guys.
Chapter thirteen
Miguel
“Ithink we should set Camila, Felix, and Mr. Higgins up in the apartment I found, and go find Emery,” Luis stated. “We’ll check every fucking building in Brooklyn if we have to.”
Once we had all recovered from the shock, we started debating on what to do, and what felt like at least an hour later, we were still discussing.
“I agree with the sentiment, but that would take forever,” I replied.
“And it isn’t an option,” Felix argued. “If you think for a second that I will sit by while my daughter is in danger, you’re not thinking clearly. I’m helping.”
“Sir, no disrespect,” Nico said, “but we promised Emery we would keep you and Camila safe. We won’t be able to look for her as quickly or effectively if we’re also looking out for you.”
“We’re talking in circles,” I complained. “Every second we take to make a decision is a second longer Emery is with that freakshow. Whatever we’re going to do, we need to do it now.”
“Or maybe,” Mr. Higgins said, a smile forming on his face, “that girl is capable of saving herself.”
“Pequenino!” Camila cried as she pushed past us.
I turned to see Emery walking toward us. Her face was bruised, and she was breathing heavily, but she was safe and in one piece. We hung back to let her parents have a private moment with her. She looked shaken, and the more I looked at her, the harder it became to ignore the proof of that fucker putting his hands on her.
“Thank you for keeping my parents safe,” Emery said when her parents finally released her.
“It was nothing,” I assured her.
“To you, maybe, but to me it was everything,” she replied.
“Are you ok?” Luis asked tightly.
“I’m fine. A little beaten up, but fine.”
Nico approached her and grabbed her chin, gently turning her head side to side to get a good look at her injuries. “Where is he?” His voice was soft, but didn’t hide the anger beneath. Nico wanted blood. We all did.
“By now? Probably a zombie. He isn’t someone we have to worry about anymore,” Emery replied. “Mr. Higgins, are you ok?”
