AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Nine
BRIGGS
I don’t shut the doorbehind me or answer the shouts of my father as I sprint to his truck, knowing he leaves the keys in it.
Metal screeches, engine roars, and gravel spits everywhere as the box of the truck fishtails down the driveway.
Everything is in crystal clear focus. Each color that blurs past my window is vivid and bright. Each beat of my heart sounds like an old war drum. Every speck of dust that swirls through the old truck tickles my nose but of everything I can sense I can only think about her.
Whoever is doing this to me knows who I am. They know where I am. And they know how to get to me.
The picture is seared into my memory. Millie is on the field, her smile wide, her face bright and happy as she’s throwing the ball. She’s completely oblivious that someone is watching her. Photographing her.
Bile rises in my throat and I choke it down.
I get to the ball diamond in record time and the tires screech as I slam the breaks. It’s early in park when I jump out and sprint to the field. My neck strains as I whip my gaze across the crowd. The field.
I don’t see her.
Tears burn my eyes. People are noticing me now.
“Millie?” I call out, nothing but her is on my radar at all. Where is she?
I run right out into the field, young ball players in the middle of switching innings. One group coming onto the field the other tucking themselves in the dugout.
I scream her name this time, completely disconnected from my body.
“Mom?” Her small voice pushes through and everything comes rushing back into me.
She’s on the bench, horror splayed across her features. She’s silently pleading with her friends as I run at her and yank her off the bench.
“Mom what’s wrong?” Her cheeks are flaring pink as I inspect her face for signs of damage.
“We have to go,” I say and yank her forward. She just keeps saying mom. She resists my efforts and tears begin to trail down my cheeks. Hot and wet and completely foreign.
“Millie, now! Get in the truck.” I point and she sees I’m crying which snaps her into action.
Xan is there now, grabbing my shoulders and keeping me here. Keeping me stuck. I should have been out of here by now. I should have left the moment my dad got his walking cast.
“What’s going on, Briggs?” He holds my shoulders and hunches to catch my eye.
I wiggle free without saying anything and run after Millie. He follows me.
Once we’re close to the truck and further away from the crowd of shocked staring faces, he grabs my wrist and forces me to stop.
“Stop. Talk to me. Is someone threatening you again?”
I watch the ground. Millie is now in the truck, slouched so low with mortification emanating from her.
“I shouldn’t be here.”
“You’re right, you shouldn’t.” Pris steps up beside her brother with crossed arms and a dark glare. “Let her go Xan. She can go ruin someone else’s life for a change.”
My tears fall harder, faster. I tug my arm free and he lets go easily. Watching me as I hop in the truck and speed away.
#
“Mom, please,” Millie sobs into her pillow as I frantically toss clothes into a duffel bag. I’m running on pure adrenaline and the only thing I need to do is get out. I’ll shut down my business. Disappear.
