I may not like fighting, but I will defend myself if attacked.
I try to calm my breathing while I drive, taking my time, changing lanes on the highway as I drive more out into the desert
If this was a murder mystery book, I know that people would be screaming at me to stop and turn around. Or call a friend to come help me. Putting faith in a friend that has hurt me is not a good thing, but a piece of my heart, a far corner, is hoping that Val calling me here is her reaching out to build a bridge between us.
I frown when I arrive at an old building. Spying a faded and cracked sign saying it was once a garden center, and parking my car, I climb out, very aware of my surroundings. Looking around, I see one car which I knew belongs to Val, but she is not here.
“I am going to have to play the dumb chick who walks into an abandoned building knowing there is a serial killer out to get her.” I murmur to myself.
Keeping my phone in one hand and my keys in the other with one key poking out between my fingers for self-defense, I will go down fighting if needed.
Moving closer to the building, I push through the dirty glass door, which creaks, making me wince. I should turn back and tell her to stuff her information.
The blood is rushing through my ears as my fear and anxiety escalate.
“Val,” I whisper yell.
My heart is hammering in my chest so hard it hurts as I step further inside. To my surprise, the place is clean, and there is furniture, even empty food cartons on the coffee table and a freaking throw on the chair.
“What have I walked into?” Moving further in, I call for her again, “Val.”
A noise comes from behind me, making me jump and yelp. Spinning around, the hand with my keys in up, ready to strike.
I see a man leaning against the door frame, grinning at me.
“She said that you were stupid enough to believe her.” He speaks.
“W-who are you?” My voice shakes, my fear rising.
I quickly look around for a way out of here, but he smirks and I see two men step up behind me.
Well, fuck me with a flagpole.
“Who I am should not be your concern right now, sweetheart. Come with me.” I shake my head, backing up a few steps but the men behind me grip my biceps, making me wince in pain.
I am marched through the building, my heart trying to escape and make a run for it. My feet stumble, when I catch my foot on a rip in the flooring. I get yanked back, and I cry out from the painful grip.
“Where are you taking me?”
The man looks over his shoulder grinning, but it does not put me at ease; it is a smile that makes me want to be sick with fear.
“Don’t worry,” he says, voice low and almost amused. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
The hallway stretches ahead, the place looks lived in, with furniture and food containers around, but there is also an odd smell that lingers in the air that I cannot work out.
Every step feels like it echoes off the walls, announcing my panic to the whole building. I try to steady my breathing, but it keeps stuttering, tripping over itself the way my feet nearly did.
Oh my god, I am going to die here, I can feel it. Cass will be so disappointed in me for coming here with no help; she will be heartbroken when I die.
Sweat gathers on my brow, and my lips tremble, but I force the tears to not fall, not yet.
I glance at the doors we pass, wooden windowless, each one shut tight. No way out.
I am screwed.
“Please,” I manage, my voice cracking. “Just tell me what you want.”
The men holding me don’t slow. Don’t loosen their grip. But the man in front of us, he grins wider, and something in his eyes glint—something that makes my stomach twist.
