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Prologue
5 days til Christmas…
Sarah
Cold air blasts me in the face as I step out of the studio doors. Immediately, I regret not grabbing my jacket before I left. I stepped out for just a moment, but the winter air is already seeping into my bones, making goosebumps erupt over my skin. I head to the car, seeing only one other person on the other side of the parking lot. He’s a long way off so I pick up my pace and hurry. I need to grab the large donation box full of presents for the Toys For Tots charity. I didn’t bring them in earlier, an action I’m regretting now. A cool wind whips my hair into my face and a tremor wracks through my body. Finally arriving at my car, I unlock the trunk and pull the large box closer. An eerie feeling passes over me, giving me chills. I settle the box back into the trunk and look up at the parking lot, seeing the man from earlier has moved closer to me. Hurriedly, I pull the box of presents from the car before I can close the trunk I feel his presence behind me like a predator stalking its prey.
“That’s a nice car ya got there,” he comments as the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. I’m stuck in this moment, unable to move. Holding the box firmly to my chest, I slowly turn to look at the stranger.
He’s tall and lean, wearing an oversized stuffed camouflage jacket. As my eyes make their way up his tall frame, I land on his black, soulless orbs. He gives me a creepy smile showing off his crooked teeth. I take a step back, my thighs hitting the car. My body trembles under his dark gaze and I feel the danger radiating off of him.
“Don’t move and don’t you fucking scream,” he commands as his hand slips into his jacket. Still shivering, all I can do is nod. He pulls out a large shotgun with a barrel that looks to have been sawed in half. Without moving an inch, I try to scan the rest of the parking lot for help, but I come up empty.
“Look at me, you bitch. No one is coming to save you,” he spits out. His anger rising to a new level. He raises the gun and firmly presses it to my forehead as he lets out a deep menacing laugh. The coolness of the barrel makes a shudder run through my spine. All I can think is“this is it. This is how I die”.
With the gun still pressed against my head, he begins again, “Give me your keys and purse. Then turn around and put the box back into the car. Do you understand me? Don’t make me paint this lot with your brains,” he snarls. Fear races through my body at his words. I juggle the box with one hand as I give over my keys and purse. He snatches them away with a satisfied grin.
“Now the box,” he orders as he slowly lowers the gun from my face, still keeping it pointed in my direction. On wobbly legs, I turn my back to him afraid that at any moment he will pull the trigger and end my life. I drop the box back into the trunk and wait for further instructions.
“Now run and hide, little girl. Count to one hundred before you come out.” I stand there frozen not wanting to anger him but also not knowing where to go.
“On the count of three I want you out of my sight or I will put this gun to use.” My legs are shaking from fear and from cold.Will I be able to run away?
“One,” he booms from behind me, pressing the gun into my back. My brain is empty. I can’t think.
“Two.”This is it. He’s going to shoot me because I don’t think I can move. And then it comes.
“Three.” My legs move of their own accord as I race through the parked cars. I don’t know where I’m heading but I know it has to be far. As far as I can get so he can’t find me. It’s dark but I don’t dare look back. My heel catches in a small hole flinging me forward onto my knees. I don’t have time to worry about the pain as I crawl around the car beside me to hide. I begin counting but the numbers become a jumbled mess in my mind. I don’t know how long I stay hidden, but I decide to risk it before I freeze to death. Staggering to my feet, I realize the heel is broken on one of my shoes. It must have been the one that got stuck in the cement. Wobbling, I take off toward the entrance to the studio. I can barely see the lights, but I think I’m heading in the right direction. I make my way through the throng of parked cars and finally see the sign for the studio. I pick up my pace, wanting to get safely inside as quickly as possible. My other heel catches on something and again I am being thrown through the air. I close my eyes tightly as I brace for the hard impact that doesn’t come. Instead, I’m hoisted up by strong arms and a firm chest. Momentarily, I’m struck with fear that the man has come back to finish the job.
“Let go of me! Get off!” I scream as I try to push away from the body that’s clutching me tightly.
“Sarah?” The man questions. I stop fighting and look up at the familiar face. A floodgate of emotions barrels through me at the sight. Tears pour from my eyes and emotion clogs my throat rendering it impossible to tell him what’s going on. Travis looks down at me with concern as he tries to comfort me.
“You’re hurt,” he acknowledges. “Who did this to you?” He angrily questions, tilting my chin up to examine the rest of my body. Travis removes his jacket and places it around my shoulders while I try to find the words to tell him. The immediate heat and his masculine smell seeps into my frigid body, I couldn’t be more thankful that someone I trust is here with me.
“Th-there was this man,” I start with a sob. “He held a gun to my h-head.” I press my hand to my forehead feeling a sticky mess where the rough barrel broke through my skin. “H-he stole my car and purse.” I know I’m still in shock and the severity of this situation will hit me soon enough. Travis’ jaw is clenched by the time I finish recalling everything I can think of.
“I’m getting the police out here now. Come sit in my truck until they arrive. That way we can get you warmed up. Why are you out here without a jacket, Sarah?” He asks still tightening his jaw.
With chattering teeth, I reply, “I was running out to my car for the box of toys. I didn’t think I would be out here this long. Oh no! What am I going to do about the Toys For Tots charity? Those children need those presents! I don't want them waking up on Christmas morning without anything to open,” I rush out.
Travis puts his warm hand on my face, gently tilting my head to look at him, “One thing at a time, Sarah. I promise we won’t let those kids go without a Christmas.” He opens the truck door and helps me up into the seat. His truck is huge and warm. I sink down into the seat and pull my knees up to my chest as I relive tonight’s trauma. My black dress rides up my thighs and I see my bloodied knees full of dirt and gravel. I groan from the pain that begins to seep in. The more my muscles relax, the more I realize how tightly I was holding myself together.
Tears trickle down my cool cheeks and I want nothing more than to be anywhere but here. Fuck. I don’t want to go home. The thief can get my information off the items in my glove box. I don’t have my phone to be able to call my landlord, or Lizzie for that matter. Although, she couldn’t help. Her and Miles left for Savannah, Georgia this morning for the Christmas holidays. This night just keeps getting better and better.Not.
I see Travis pocket his phone as he walks around the truck and gets in on the driver’s side. “The police will be here soon, along with EMTs to have a look at you. I will get to the bottom of this, I promise you.” I nod my head in response and continue going through my options on where I’m going to go tonight. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” He questions, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I don’t have anywhere to go tonight. I don’t want to go home alone, and I don’t have my wallet to get a hotel room and Lizzie and Miles are out of town. I don’t have anything.” I try to stay calm, but the seriousness of my situation is hitting me hard.
“You’re coming home with me. I want to make sure you’re safe.” I open my mouth to argue, but it’s quickly closed when he continues, “Don’t argue with me, Sarah. I will carry you over my shoulder if I have to.” Police cars with their lights on begin piling into the parking lot. Opening the truck door, I take a deep breath and steel myself for all questions to come.
Chapter 1
13 days til Christmas…
Travis
My phone buzzes from the nightstand, illuminating the room. Squinting from the harsh light, I open the message app.
