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“But unfortunately, it seems my patience has been taken for complacency.”
“Not at all,” I implored her as I hiked Hunter up in my arms when it seemed like he would start fussing. “Listen, Mrs. Wilson. I’m sorry about all this. I had every intention of paying you your money, but you see, Hunter got sick—”
“Yes, dear, I know, and that’s the only reason why I’ve been so understanding up until this point,” she said. “But I can’t do that much longer, you understand?”
She gave me a stern look, and I nodded. I could comprehend the woman, and I tried not to feel panicky about the fact that we may be about to lose our home. It was truly just another stressor to add to a shitty two years.You'll figure it out, Kayla. You always do.
“Yes, I understand,” I responded.
She nodded once and then proceeded to start shutting the door, but I held the door open with one hand.
“Um, Mrs. Wilson, I hate to further be a bother, but do you mind if we come in for a few seconds?”
She eyed me suspiciously. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s just….”I think my father’s thugs might be after me to kidnap my child and me.But of course, I couldn’t say that. She was already suspicious of me, given my unconventional look. I had arrived in town with red hair and a septum piercing but had taken out all my piercings and toned my hair down to a dark purple for her benefit. Still, I think the first impression had stuck.
“Never mind,” I said instead. I should have lost the man by now. If I went through the back route to my apartment, which wasn’t too far from here, then I should be fine.
Not for the first time, I cursed the fact that I didn’t have a car, as it would have made my escape much easier. But unfortunately, I had to sell the car the last time I moved, so I was stuck.
“Thank you again, Mrs. Wilson,” I said as I walked away. The roads were largely deserted, most people going inside as the first hint of evening colored the sky. I tried to convince myself that I had made a clean escape, walking down the cursive pathway to my house. Hunter was chattier than usual, blowing bubbles and speaking gibberish and being so damn adorable that I had to smile. I cuddled him closer as I walked, kissing his chubby cheeks. Despite the way he was conceived, I had no regrets, and he was easily the best thing in my life.
I’ll protect you, I whispered.I’ll swear it.
I had reached the row of smaller cottages on the way to my apartment complex when I felt it again—the eerie feeling at the back of my spine like I was being followed. I instantly looked behind and around me but did not see the truck. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling.
I looked down at Hunter.I needed to protect him.
I instantly jogged up the stairs to one of the houses and knocked on the door, hoping the owner was home. Ella and I worked at the restaurant together, and we were friendly toward each other, although we weren’t particularly close. She had offered to babysit before, but I always felt bad taking her up on the offer, given how busy she already was with school and everything. But this was an emergency.
Please be there. Please be there.
Thankfully, the door soon opened to reveal a blinking Ella. “Kayla?”
“Hey,” I said. “Can you hold on to the baby for me for a few minutes?”
“Um…sure, but—”
“Thanks.”
Ignoring her little shocked sound, I pushed Hunter into her arms and then turned around and took off running.
I tried to formulate a plan of escape as I ran. For now, I needed to hide and observe whoever was after me. Or perhaps, I could go to the police and get an escort, but I needed to lead the person away from Hunter first. Then, long term, I needed a way out of town. Perhaps I could borrow someone’s car or ask Ella to drive me to the bus station. Or maybe even hotwire a vehicle to get me there. I had learned how to do that from someone in the last town I was in, but God, I didn't want to. I would feel so guilty for whoever lost their car because of me. But Hunter and I had long overstayed our welcome in this town.
Perhaps a police escort would suffice.
I had not wanted to involve them at first, but enough was enough. I began running toward the police station, feeling my legs ache as I sprinted. I soon burst into a school area and felt relieved that I was almost now in a public area. Until I felt a hand grab me from behind, that is.
Fear spurred my action as I immediately threw my hand back, getting him in the face.
“Damn it, lady, calm down!” I heard him growl out behind me as his strong arms wrapped around my waist, attempting to carry me. Not a chance in hell. I reached back, clawing and kicking at him and screaming my head off before he turned me around, and I met a pair of hazel eyes and the face of a Viking.
The eyes registered confusion and shock when they met mine. “Hold on, Audrey? Is that you?”
Oh no. Oh God, no.
The good news was that it wasn’t my father who had come for me.
The bad news was that it was someone even worse.
