Her car!
I bolt across the street toward the parking space she always uses, hidden behind two abandoned buildings.Darkness creeps in around the edges of the lot, shadows stretching like grasping fingers.Her red BMW comes into view, and relief floods through me – until I see the empty interior.
"Fuck!"I slam my hand against the roof, then grab the door handle.
Locked.I take a step back, and that's when I hear it – the distinctive sound of all four doors unlocking.
What the...
"Just as expected."
The voice behind me turns my blood to ice.I spin around and find myself staring down the barrel of a black handgun.My eyes track over the dark figure emerging from the shadows – black clothing, black boots, hood pulled low.But I don't need to see his face.This is the motherfucker who's been stalking Alisha.
"Where is she?"The words come out as a growl.
"Shut up!"
Tension crackles in the air as my hands curl into fists, every muscle coiled to strike.
"If she means anything to you, you do exactly as I ask."His voice drips with malice."If you refuse to obey my orders, I promise you'll never find her."
Something clatters against my shoe.Handcuffs with a black blindfold attached.
"Pick it up."
When I don't move, he raises the gun to my head."Listen carefully – I'll take you to her.But if you try anything..."His voice takes on a sick pleasure."That daughter of yours will lose her dad.And I'll be sure to visit the lovely young lady.Her skin must feel like satin under my fingertips."
Acid burns in my throat.The thought of him anywhere near Sam makes my vision blur red.
"What's it going to be, Walker?"
Every instinct screams to fight, but the gun doesn't waver.With rage burning through my veins, I bend down and pick up the restraints.
"Now, walk to the passenger's seat and secure one of the cuffs around your wrist."His instructions are precise, practiced."Then put on the blindfold and bring both arms behind your back so I can cuff you.One wrong move, and I'll put a bullet in your skull.Move!"
The gun presses against my spine as I walk to the car.Metal closes around my left wrist with a final click.As I tie the blindfold, fury makes my voice raw."If you've hurt Alisha in any way, I'll break every fucking bone in your body."
"Turn!"he barks.
I comply, jaw clenched as the second cuff bites into my skin.My pulse thunders in my ears, but I force myself to stay sharp.I need to figure out who he is, where he's taking us.
"Who are you?"
The gun barrel presses against my neck, cold and unforgiving.
"Someone who's going to teach you a valuable lesson."Hatred drips from every word."You're nothing but a thief of the lowest kind, and it's payback time, Walker."
The car door opens."Get in."
The moment I sit, pain explodes in my upper arm – a needle plunging deep.
"You fucking bastard!"
I slam my shoulder against the door, but it's useless.My hands are trapped, and whatever he injected is already racing through my system.
"You worthless piece of shit, if...I..."The words slur as the world starts to spin.No!No.Fight it!I scream at myself.I need to stay awake.Alisha needs me.
But darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, unstoppable.As consciousness slips away, one last thought burns through my mind:
