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“And probably before you leave, you better call an ambulance for your friend.”
Or not.
I’d leave it up to him.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
SHAY
Dumping the grocery bags onto the kitchen table, I began mindlessly putting the items away. My body was moving like the tortoise, but my mind was racing like the hare.
I kept hearing him talk about Sarah. About how he said he had a friend watching her. Following her.
Ready at any moment to choose when she would die.
I tossed the loaf of bread in my hand, slammed my hands against the counter, and let my head hang.
I couldn’t let Vince do this to me again. It’d only been a week or so since Bishop managed to get me out of the hell I was in, not sleeping at night, scared of the shadows and what was hiding within them. I was starting to feel like myself again.
Like I was stronger and fought my demons and won. But not alone.
I didn’t just feel safe with Bishop, he brought me back to reality. He reminded me of how strong I was and the many battles I’d already won. When he saw those pills, he could have just taken them away and said no, but instead, he let me scream and cry and work through those emotions. He empowered me by letting me fight the battle myself.
That’s what I needed to do now.
Remember how strong I was and not give in to these flashes of memories threatening to drag me back down. That was Vince’s plan. I couldn’t let him win.
My entire body jackknifed in my bed, jolting to life like I’d been shocked.
My breathing was labored, my heart racing in my chest, and for a moment, I just sat there, as still as possible, and stared at the closed door to my room, wondering if I’d just been having a nightmare.
Something had woken me, but the house was quiet and still.
My hands fisted my sheets, and I glanced over at the closet where my quick bag hung on the handle. It was packed and ready to go.
It always was, even though we’d been in this house for coming up on two years.
Mom said we always needed to be prepared, but I was sure this was it. This time, we’d be staying.
Ali had joined the football team, and Mom had finally let me try out for cheerleading—things she’d always told us were too risky because people would take photos at games and competitions and post them online.
This time was different, though. This time, he wouldn’t find us.
“No! No, please! Help!” Mom’s blood-curdling screams filled our house, followed by a hard thump that I swore I felt in my chest, knocking the air from my lungs. “Please!”
“Shay.”
I turned and swung.
Although I didn’t even register that I had until my fist connected with Bishop’s cheek.
Sucking in a horrified gasp, I stumbled back, pressing my hand to my mouth. “Oh my God,” I whispered, my chest heaving as I fought for breath. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“It’s okay,” he cut in, wiggling his jaw. “You’re good. Barely grazed me.”
I nodded, walking backward until my legs hit the edge of the small round table, grabbing hold of it as my legs shook, threatening to give way. “Okay. Good.”
He inched closer, slowly moving like he was scared he was going to spook me. “You all right? You were staring at the wall when I walked in. I had to get right up behind you before you finally heard me saying your name.”
