Page 58 of Abandoned

She coughed. “Not dead.”

“We’ll get you out of there.” He needed to get her out of there. Memories of the fears she’d shared with him the other day slammed into the forefront of his mind. They couldn’t waste any time getting her out.

AJ and Logan had followed him. AJ immediately jumped to prying the boards from the door. But it was going to take forever.

“Are you hurt?” Will called through the door.

He couldn’t hear an answer, but she coughed.

Becca came up behind Will. “I’ll call it in.”

He turned to her. “Thanks. We need an electric screwdriver.”

Jared said, “I’ll go get mine.”

AJ bumped Logan’s arm. “You live closer.”

“I’ll go.” Logan darted out the door.

Will helped AJ. It took them nearly five minutes to get the first horizontal board pried free. They started into the second. Before they got the second one off, Logan reappeared with two electric screwdrivers.

Will and AJ continued to pry at the middle board while Jared and Logan worked on the top.

The top board came off, so AJ and Will stepped back and let the screwdrivers do the work.

Will twisted his hands.

AJ grabbed his arm. “We’re getting her out of there.”

He nodded.

Two firefighters and an EMT entered Zara’s little bedroom. Jared looked at them. “We’ve got it. Only a few more.”

In less than a minute, the outside vertical boards that were screwed, not only into the door but also into the frame, were off.

Will rushed forward and opened the door. He wanted to be the first face Zara saw.

He reached for the knob, but it didn’t turn. The lock was on the outside. What on earth? He unlocked it, turned the knob, and opened the door into the bathroom.

Zara sat on the edge of the tub with a beach towel loosely wrapped around her arms and body. Cuts on her shoulders showed where the dress had been ripped right off her.

What had the person who locked her in here done to her?

He approached cautiously.

Her eyes beckoned to him. He didn’t hold back and opened his arms.

She stood. “You found me.” With slow, weak steps, she came to him and fell against his chest.

He held her close. “Of course.” Did she really think he wouldn’t? “Are you hurt?”

“No.” She coughed a tight, wheezy cough. “Inhaler.” She pointed out of the bathroom.

He guided her into the bedroom, not taking his hand off her back until he was at her purse. He picked it up. It was much heavier than he had anticipated.

She’d had her firearm. Whoever did this caught her off guard. Of course he had. She was at home; she was supposed to be safe.

Will vowed to himself to never let her enter an empty apartment by herself again.