Page 34 of Lethal Weakness

Running her license plate the very first day she pulled in as my new neighbor had her fate sealed.

“Keep your seatbelt on, Linden! Keep Avery in her car seat!”

I’ve spent every day since trying to learn every detail about her.

I know the brand of shampoo she uses.

And which pair of jean short overalls she wears the most.

She shops at the local convenience store because she rarely buys meat. I thought she was a vegetarian, but I quickly realized it’s because meat is too expensive.

Avery won’t leave the house without at least two accessories, but Linden rarely wears any.

Her hair is her natural color, and her makeup never covers up her freckles.

“Jack? Yo- ther-” Her voice cuts in and out again.

“Stay in the car! Keep your seat belts on!” I don’t know if she hears it or not, but it doesn’t matter. “I’m coming for you.”

Whether she knows it or not, I’ll be there.

Chapter Twelve

Linden

Fifteen minutes past the point of my tears falling, and two minutes before I let my pride go and called my in-laws for help, Jack just happened to call me.

I don’t know how he knew I was in trouble, but I couldn’t muffle my sob of relief hearing his voice.

The call cut out, though, and I couldn’t hear him.

He doesn’t know where I am, or that I’m in trouble. A loud pathetic cry fills the interior of my car.

This piece of shit car broke down on one of the worst curves between Noddingbell and Twinflower. Every set of headlights that zooms past me makes my heart stop, and my car rattle.

I couldn’t even get enough service to look up a tow truck, but even if I could, I can’t afford to spare hundreds of dollars on a tow bill.

If I were alone, I’d hoof it home and abandon the car, but Avery is soundly sleeping in the back, oblivious to everything, and this is a dangerous road. Hills on both sides, nearly no shoulder, and no street lights. We aren’t any safer on the side of the road when it’s this dark.

It’s moments like these, and so many others, that make me feel so alone in the world. I never have anyone to call. Even if I lived back home in New York, my parents would only be able to do so much.

All my friends from college abandoned me when they found out I was pregnant, or worse, when they figured out that Turner and I were headed towards divorce. I couldn’t believe how many people turned a blind eye to his abuse towards me.

I still can’t believe it.

Why would I ever want to tell anyone anything that plagues me ever again if I didn’t even have support during my lowest point in life?

Another car going way too fast speeds past me, making my car lurch, and a squeak of fear escapes me.

I have my hazard lights on; they should slow down, but they probably can’t even see me sitting here until it’s too late. I’m a sitting duck.

I squeeze my eyes shut, letting the tears roll down my cheeks. I just want to go home.

If I call 911, it will get back to my in-laws, and I know they’ll spin this on me. Somehow they’ll accuse me of neglect and use this against me. But what other choice do I have?

Bright headlights fill my back windshield, and I gasp in terror when they come right at me, but instead of a rear-end collision, they stop right at my bumper.

My car door flings open, and I jump. Jack.