“Remember what we were talking about earlier before Captain Black came in?”
“You were telling me to run when I get the chance and don’t look back,” she says. “Before trying to tell me that you weren’t coming too.”
“Yes, that’s right, my darling girl.”
“I don’t like it,” she says. “I want you to come with me.”
“I want that too, honey.” Oh, God, how much I want that, but it’s just not possible. I don’t know of another way.
“But you won’t?” she asks softly.
“I can’t, honey,” I tell her honestly. “But if I could, I would be with you always. You’re my number one. Which is why I have to do this.”
“Not come with me?” she asks hesitantly. I can see she’s unsure in her beautiful eyes, and I have to give her the confidence to act bravely and be bold.
“Right, sweet girl,” I answer. “When I tell you, you’re going to run, just like we talked about. Don’t look back, just run.”
“Yes, Mommy,” she says, and her little voice catches. I hate that she knows. Even though we haven’t spoken the words, this perceptive child knows she won’t see me again.
“Whatever you do, don’t look back.”
“Okay,” she agrees softly.
“Find Daddy,” I remind her. “He loves you so much, and he’ll take care of you. Daddy will keep you safe.”
“Okay, Mom. I will.”
“Whatever you do, don’t stop running,” I say again. I hate the words, but I want to say them over and over so she knows what she needs to do. “No matter what you hear.”
“I won’t.”
“That’s my brave girl,” I tell her as I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. “And know that I love you. No matter what.”
“I love you too.”
“I hear footsteps,” I tell her, and fuck, I hate this, but I’m ready to go. I’ll do anything to save my child. Anything. Rick will raise her and care for her. I’ve seen the way he is with her, and he’s as I always knew he would be—a wonderful father. I’m only sorry I won’t be here to see it. “Get ready.”
“I don’t want to leave you, Mommy,” Rachel says. She’s starting to get upset, because she knows we won’t see each other again after this.
“I’ll be fine,” I lie. “I have Captain Black—”
“Ryan,” he corrects. “I think we’re on a first-name basis now.”
“I have Ryan,” I correct my previous comment. “Just be ready.”
“You did a good thing,” Ryan whispers to me so Rachel can’t hear him. I don’t answer him; I just nod and get prepared for battle.
Rachel hides next to the hinges of the door, ready to sprint around it once I clobber Ashley with the folding chair. I test the weight of it in my hands. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. My knees are bent, and I can’t hear anything but my heart pounding in my ears.
“I need the brat!” Ashley hollers, her voice sounding like it’s just on the other side of the door. I don’t know what she wants Rachel for, and I don’t care. She’s not getting her.
“It’s going to be okay,” I whisper to my baby. “Just remember what I said.”
Rachel just nods.
The knob turns and the door wings open, and then everything happens all at once.
“Ashley, stop!” Rick shouts, and my blood freezes in my veins.
