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Something I read about in one of the books in the library. Not a children’s book. But one about self-defense and survival skills.
I still remember picking it up and showing it to Penny. “We should all read this,” I said. “Self-defense and Survival for Women. It looks like it has some useful stuff in it. How to get away from a mugger. Escaping a chokehold.”
Penny shuddered. “I don’t even want to think about having to do one of those things.”
Neither did I. But here I am.
Alec unties my wrists, stroking his fingers across the abrasions they left behind. “You shouldn’t have struggled,” he says, tsking at me.
Even though my instincts are screaming at me to run, I stay in the chair.
He comes around in front of me, eyeing me, no doubt expecting me to do what I desperately want to. Muscles tense, he waits a full minute before giving me a patronizing smile. “I thought you would try to run, Thea. You made a smart decision. I’m proud of you.”
Oh. OH.
Fury ignites.
Did he really just say that to me?
My jaw clenches. This anger? It’s exactly what I need.
But I force a tiny smile instead. “Alec? I told you I can’t get away from you. But… my legs are really stiff from sitting. Do you think you could help me up? And we could… sit on the bed?”
At first, I’m sure he won’t go for it. Or that he’ll tell me to go there myself, and I’m going to have to actually kiss him to get another opening.
But then.
Alec smiles at me. “Okay, Thea. That would be nice.”
He leans over.
One hand is outstretched to me, the other leans on the arm of the chair.
I’m caged in.
Until.
I punch him in the throat.
He makes a terrible wheezing sound and staggers backwards, falling on his ass.
His hands clutch at his neck, his face turning red.
And I run.
Straight to the door, praying it’s unlocked.
It is.
I fumble for a second before I get it open. Fear grabs hold of me.
What if he catches me?
Then I’m out of the room.
There’s a long hallway with too many doors. Where to go? Which one to choose?
But I’m on the first floor—I could tell from looking outside.
