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“You’ll need a way to protect yourself. If there are any stragglers in the fight.” Our hands fought for a moment before she gave in with a sigh.
“Okay, but please, survive. Not for my sake, but Dominic’s.” Her eyes pleaded with me and I nodded before hugging her and taking us both by surprise.
“I will. For all of our sake’s,” I whispered.
“Go through the window, run straight to the woods and don’t stop. Keep going straight until you find the creek, head south then, following the creek. Eventually, you’ll come to the road. Stay to the woods, follow the road home.” I nodded, repeating her instructions until she gave me a satisfied nod of her own. “Now, you need to hit me and tie me up.”
“What?” I cried in shock, staring at her in horror.
“It’s the only way,” she said adamantly. “Trust me; it’ll go easier for me if you do it.” Only because of that did I do what she asked, not questioning when she explained to me how to tie the knot so she couldn’t escape. “Hit me.”
I hesitated then, remembering the pain when the man had slammed his fist in my face earlier, my face still throbbing.
“It’s okay,” she said encouragingly. “It won’t be the first time.” I swallowed, balling up my fist in rage at the thought. “Good, now hit me across the cheek.” I did it, my eyes closed as my fist thudded against her face, crying out involuntarily at the pain radiating through my hand. “Okay, how does it look?” I blinked my eyes open and saw a red mark already swelling along her cheek.
“Like I hit you,” I answered and she nodded.
“Good enough.” She tilted her head to the window. “Go and don’t stop. Don’t look back. Just run.”
“We’ll come back for you,” I told her and she smiled.
“I know you will,” she responded, her smile painful. “Go.”
Chapter Eighteen
Fear laced with determination kept me moving even as my lungs begged for oxygen and my heart threatened to burst out of my chest. My feet pounded the ground, tree limbs slapping my face as I ran.
Don’t stop.
Don’t stop.
Don’t stop.
The words echoed through my head, pushing me forward when my body would have given out. I ran with such frantic desperation I almost didn’t notice as my feet splashed through water, my body now on automatic pilot as it fought for survival.
Water.
The knowledge triggered the next thought.
Creek.
Follow the creek.
I turned back, slowing to a jog as I tried to find my way back to the water I’d splashed through. It took me longer than I expected and for a moment I was afraid I’d gotten turned around. My heart hammered madly as my breaths became panicked and I wondered if I’d find myself back in the Hanley’s camp.
My feet slipped just as my ears picked up the sound of water. I fell into the creek, landing on my knees as the shallow water flowed around me. I stayed bent over on my hands and knees for a second, relief coursing through me. I crawled to the side, tears splashing into the water below as I got my bearings.
I had to go south.
I swiped my face, trying to remember if I was supposed to go left or right at the creek. My wet hands did nothing to wipe away the moisture on my face, and I rubbed my cheek against my shoulder instead. Fear started to filter back in, clouding my thoughts and I rested my hand next to me. The water flowed around it and I glanced down.
Water flows downhill. The thought hammered through my head. South.
It wasn’t always true, but it gave me hope as I hauled myself up, my body protesting, but stopping wasn’t an option. If I didn’t find Dominic and the others soon, they would come for me and likely be slaughtered.
My hand went to the paper I’d tucked in my bra so I wouldn’t lose it and I was grateful it had remained dry. I pushed myself on, staying in the creek as I remembered some long-forgotten Girl Scout survivalist trip. It was almost impossible to track someone through water. I didn’t think that would necessarily stop my captors but I figured it wouldn’t hurt.
It took longer since I had to slog through the water and after a while I debated climbing to the edge and going through the woods. I stayed in the water though as I remembered the slap of branches hitting me as I’d run earlier. At least in the water, the branches hovered above my head.
I wasn’t sure how long I sloshed along before I heard a whooshing sound and paused, trying to determine the source of the sound. It was sporadic and I moved forward cautiously, my chest heavy as I tried to peer through the darkness. My eyes had long ago adjusted to the dark, but it didn’t mean I could see much.
