Kept loving her from a distance she’d never know about.
I couldn't help it. I loved her. Even if she didn't want me anymore, even if she never opened that door again, I needed to know she was okay. That Tommy Vickers hadn't found her. That she made it to her car, made it home, made it through another day.
Because if something happened to her and I wasn't there, if I'd stayed away because she told me to and she got hurt...
I couldn't finish the thought. Couldn't let myself go there.
So I kept showing up. Kept watching. Kept loving her from a distance she'd never know about.
Thursday morning, I got off shift and my truck wouldn’t start.
Dead battery.
Two hours waiting for a tow. Another hour at the shop.
By the time I got home, it was late afternoon. I showered, changed, and told myself I’d head to the school in an hour.
I just needed to rest my eyes for a minute first.
I woke up on the couch to my phone ringing.
Unknown number. I almost didn’t answer, but felt in my gut that I needed to.
"Hello?"
“Shane?” A young voice. Familiar. Tight. “Shane, it's Millie."
I sat up. "Millie? What's wrong?"
"Something's happening at the school." Her voice was high, tight with panic. "Maya stayed late to grade papers. She's not answering her phone. I've been trying to reach her for an hour."
My blood went cold all at once.
"Zoe's here with me at the apartment." Millie's breath hitched.“Shane, I can see smoke from Zoe’s window. It’s coming from the school.”
I was already moving.
Keys in hand.
Door slamming behind me.
"Call 911," I said. "Right now. Tell them there’s a fire at P.S. 147. Tell them there may be someone inside.”
"Okay. Okay, I'll call."
"I'm already on my way."
I hung up. Started the truck. Pulled out of the parking lot so fast my tires screamed.
There were blue lights in my rearview. Sirens in the distance. I pushed the truck as fast as I dared, weaving through traffic, heart pounding against my ribs.
Maya was in danger. Tommy Vickers had finally made his move. And I was going to get to her. No matter what it took.
The engine roared. The night swallowed me whole.
Hold on, I thought.Just hold on.
I'm coming.
