Panic twisted inside his chest.He might be too late.
***
The heavy scentof pine filled Josie’s nostrils, rousing her from the in-and-out slumber that tugged on her consciousness.She peeled her eyes open.She lay in the back of a van on her side, her wrists bound in front of her.A scream scratched at the back of her throat, but she didn’t dare alert the driver she was awake.Moving her tongue through the dry cavern of her mouth, she came up with some saliva and swallowed.
The vehicle bumped over uneven terrain and the sound of tools clanking near her head made goosebumps attack her flesh.
Oh, God.He’s going to kill me.
She’d be buried somewhere in the woods and no one would find her.Except maybe a bear or other wild animal.She squeezed her eyes shut.She couldn’t let fear consume her or she’d really be screwed.There was no one to save her.Even if Quin was alive, he wouldn’t be able to find her.
She had to do this herself.She blinked in the darkness.If tools were nearby, she had a weapon.He’d been stupid to tie her hands in front of her.
The tire hit another pothole and she rocked forward before the back of her head bumped against the wall of the vehicle.Blood pounded against her temples, but if she had a headache, she was too darn terrified to feel it.
Loud music blared through the speakers.She winced as the bass shook her insides.Noise was good.It would cover up any sounds she made.She brought the tape at her wrists to her teeth and tugged on the waxy material.Her teeth screamed in protest, but she didn’t stop.Wetting her lips, she angled her arms so she could try to tear the tape.No use.He’d bound her hands a good two or three times and the tape was too thick to bite through.She’d have to focus on something else.
She scanned the floor of the van until her eyes found a red toolbox.After using her feet to slide her closer, she felt along the smooth metal lid.She stuck her fingernails underneath the lip and the top lifted.Shit.If she flung it backward it would bang on the floor and make a huge noise.
Sweat rolled onto her lips and salt hit her tastebuds.Her skin prickled, her internal body temperature sharply contrasting the external temperature.Frustration mounted in her chest.If she didn’t get out of this she wouldn’t survive.Quin wouldn’t survive.
A stab of pain twisted her gut.
She sucked back the tears that dared to fall.Not now.
The driver hit something hard.The vehicle banged into the ground.Seizing the opportunity, she flung open the lid and it smacked the floor, the loudpinglost in the other sounds.
“Fuck,” cursed the man up front.The voice was swallowed by the music before she could place it.
Moving her hands as delicately as if she were touching a snake, she dragged her fingers over the contents of the box.
Hammer.That would be useful but maybe too heavy to swing given her restricted mobility.
Duct tape.She sure as heck didn’t need more of that.
Crowbar.Easier to swing than a hammer—she’d come back to that one.
Her thumb bumped something smooth and round.She drifted her fingers over the plastic handle of a screwdriver.
Yes, that could work.Small enough that he wouldn’t see it right away.She rubbed her index finger over the tip.It was a flat head.That could do some damage if she could get him in the right spot.She moved her hands awkwardly until the handle was nestled between her palms.She clutched the screwdriver in a death grip.
The vehicle slowed to a stop.The engine shut off and the music died, blanketing the vehicle in silence.She clamped her lips shut, stilling her lungs from taking another breath.The keys jangled and the driver’s side door opened with a rusty squeak and then slammed shut.The van shook with the force.
Her body trembled.She clenched her abdominal muscles to keep herself from moving.
Crunch,crunch,crunch
The sound of gravel grinding beneath her attacker’s boots reached her ears as he circled the vehicle.This was it.She only had one shot.
Hit and run, Josie.Just hit him and run.
She rolled onto her belly so that he’d have a view of her back and the screwdriver would be hidden.Her heart collided with her breastbone, threatening to beat through her chest.She focused her attention on her breath, slow and steady.If he sensed she was awake, everything would go south.
The van door rolled open.Rough hands seized her ankles, and he slid her to the opening.She bit her fingers into the handle of the screwdriver.Adrenaline set fire to her veins, ordering her to leap into action.
Not yet.
He grabbed her elbow.She kept her body limp as he sat her up against his chest.With her eyes closed she couldn’t identify him.But his scent, heavy with mint and Scotch, filled her nostrils.He circled his hands around her hips and lifted her to his shoulder.
