A slow, evil, grin graced Hal’s lips.
Jessica never had the chance to scream out awarning.
Hal spun about and fired.
It was as though everything, that happened,moved in slow motion, as she watched Morris’ body flybackwards.
She screamed, like a woman possessed, as shebolted forward, slamming her body into the bastard, with everythingshe had within her.
It was like some demonic being took controlof her body. She wasn’t Jessica Wilton anymore; she was someoneelse.
Hal went down hard. The wind knocked from hislungs.
She flipped over onto her back, pounding theheels of her feet into him with every ounce of strength imaginable.The adrenalin pumping through her veins, gave her the courage andstrength she needed to continue.
She was fixated on killing him, as her heelscontacted with his throat, his chest, his stomach, the side of hishead, leaving ghastly puncture wounds. She could not stop herself.She did not want to. Everything he put her through, the child shelost, her kidnapping, being held prisoner in the cave for days,spurred her on.
She was turned into some one, she did notrecognize.
She never saw, or heard Ayden and Bryanenter. Never heard him call out her name. Never felt his arms wraptightly about her and drag her away from Hal’s lifeless body. Shenever knew, when everything finally went black and the silenceengulfed her completely.
TWENTY-FOUR
Jessica didn’t want to open her eyes. Thedream was too real. The mattress beneath her was so comfortable andthe coverlet tucked around her body, was thick and warm.
Please, she begged silently.Let medream for just a little while longer.
There were consistent noises, starting topenetrate deep into her subconscious, trying desperately to rouseher.
Go away. Please, just go away.
The voice calling to her though was invitingand familiar. It tugged at her heart, made her want to listen.
“Jessica, please, sweetheart … open youreyes. You’re safe, honey. Please, just open your eyes.”
She heard him.
Or, did she, really, her inner voicequestioned?
She whimpered in her sleep. She could see hisface.
Why can’t you find me?
Something warm caressed her cheek, and thetouch made her want to open her eyes. Slowly, her eyelids slidopen. There was light again. This time, it didn’t hurt her eyes.She heard the voice again. She knew it was his. It was Bryan, andhis name slipped from her lips in a soft whisper.
“Hey, you, sleepy head.”
A smile caressed her lips, when her eyesfocused, and those gorgeous blue orbs of his greeted her.
He leaned in close, touched his lips to hers,to let her know it was no longer a dream, but something beautifullyreal.
She was fully awake now and aware that otherswere in the room. She looked about and a puzzled look was on herface.
Her Aunt stepped forward, and claspedJessica’s hand tenderly in her own.
“Hello, sweet girl.”
Jessica smiled softly.
