AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Have you been watching the news?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. I don’t watch the news. I have enough horror stories in my head.
“A prison bus transferring thirteen convicts to the new prison in Ironport was hit by a truck yesterday. Three inmates escaped.”
Thud.
“And?”
Silence…
“Willis was among them.”
Thud.
“He doesn’t know where I am,” I say the words, assuring myself more than for his benefit.
“All the same, a patrol car is going to be stopping by over the next few days until we apprehend him.”
“How could this happen?” I whisper. My fingers squeeze the receiver, a knot twisting my stomach.
“It shouldn’t have, I’m sorry, and I assure you we’re doing everything we can to find him.”
Will you find him before he finds another victim?
“Mrs. Langford?”
That’s not my name.
“I have to go, bye, Detective.”
“Viv, who was that?” Kathy asks, following me over to the window where I watch our children racing around the yard.
Kathy is my best friend and neighbor. She lost her husband in a friendly fire training exercise eight months into her pregnancy. We bonded over being single parents, our children only months apart in age. Kathy is a doting parent. It comes naturally to her. She’s warm, attentive, not hardened by evil.
“Viv? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She turns me to face her, her pale green eyes searching.
“Willis is out there,” I tell her, picking up the laundry basket and carrying it outside.
“Your ex-husband? Out where!” she exclaims, following my hurried pace.
“Help me with this?” I ask, handing her one corner of a sheet.
“Viv, what happened?” She takes the material, pegging it in place.
The laughter of our children sings through the air.
Lizzy folds her body in the now-empty laundry basket, calling out, “Polo,” and giggling when she hears Jack’s returning, “Marco.”
Their bond is so pure, innocent. Will he break her heart one day?
A car sounds in the distance, drawing our attention.
“You expecting someone?” Kathy frowns, holding a hand above her eyes to block out the offending sun. She doesn’t know all the details about Willis. I couldn’t bear to see the horror in her eyes.
“Why are they coming at that speed?” she grinds out.
No one comes here. Our properties are way out in the middle of nowhere.
“They said a patrol car would be stopping by,” I croak out, wringing my hands.
“That’s not a police car,” Kathy almost whispers. Thunder roars in my ears, my stomach dropping to the ground beneath my feet.
Fate thickens the air.
He found me.
Us.TwoPresent
August 9th, 2018Lizzy
22 years oldClear skies make the sun burn so vivid, I have to squint to seek out Jack through its rays. The breeze makes my summer dress dance, and brings the giant trees surrounding our house to life, their leaves whispering as they sway, our audience as we play.
Jack’s voice cuts through the air. “Marco.”
A giggle bubbles in my tummy. “Polo,” I call out, climbing into the empty laundry basket.
Thunder clouds eclipse the sun, plunging me into darkness
You’re dreaming. Wake up.
“Jack! Lizzy!” A startling cry makes my heart flutter in my chest.
I feel an ache in my bones as I’m yanked from the basket. “Mama?” I cry. She’s running now, her hand squeezing mine. My feet drag through the dirt as I try to keep up with her. Her grip is so tight, she’ll leave a bruise.
“Ow, mama!” I whine as her nails pinch my skin, breaking the flesh.
Rain begins to pour from the sky. Only…it’s not raining. The drops are thick crimson splats.
You’re dreaming. Wake up.
We’re inside. Jack’s mom takes our hands and ushers us into the spare bedroom.
“I need you to hide—hide and don’t come out for anyone but me,” she tells us, pulling us to our knees.
A car screeches to a stop outside, the tires kicking up dirt, then the slam of a door.
“Hide now,” she orders. Her voice shakes so much, it sounds like she’s someone else—a stranger.
“I’m scared,” I cry out.
“Stay together. Keep each other safe.” She nods her head, pushing us farther under before leaving us there.
Jack grips my hand, pulling away from the edge. The warm trickle of my pee soaks my panties and dress when the sounds of the front door crashing open and raised voices reverberate outside the closed door.
Fear suffocates me. I can’t breathe. I’m drowning in my tears seeping into the skin of Jack’s palm pushed firmly against my mouth.
“It’s okay, Liz Wiz. It will be okay.” Jack clutches me to him. I can’t make my body stop trembling. I’m scared he will hear my bones rattling.
Bang!
“No…” I mumble against Jack’s palm, squeezing my eyes closed as tight as I can.
Wake up! Wake up!
“Where the fuck is my son, cunt?” Nasty words punch through the air as the door gives way and heavy feet pound inside. The bed dips under the weight of someone thrown down on top of it.
