He feints left – a trick.When I move to strike, his hand clamps around my wrist like a vice.Pain explodes through my arm as he twists, the knife falling from my grip.Then I'm airborne, skull cracking against the glass wall.Fuck, that hurt.
"This will be easier than I thought."His voice drips with sick pleasure."I'm going to have fun stabbing you until you're unrecognizable."
I force his words out, focusing only on his reflection in the glass.Breathe and think.My hand inches toward the second knife hidden in my dress.
"Alex, turn!"Cole's voice cracks with desperation.
I wait, gathering every ounce of strength left in my body.David's footsteps approach – one step, two.Cole screams my name.I spin, exploding upward with a primal scream that matches David's roar.
His eyes are pure evil, but Samantha's face flashes in my mind – waiting for her father to come home.All those nights of terror after the alley attack, reading articles about how to kill an attacker...it comes down to this moment.
His right hand grabs my shoulder.I drive my arm up and forward, aiming for his throat just like I'd read.The blade sinks in beside his larynx.His pupils dilate in shock as I change the angle, pushing deeper.With everything in me, I wrench the knife sideways.The sound of tearing flesh makes my stomach heave.
His weapon clatters to the floor as his hands fly to his throat.Blood sprays in an arc as he stumbles backward, making horrible gurgling sounds.He crashes to his knees, eyes wide with disbelief, desperately trying to stop the crimson flood pouring between his fingers.His body spasms as he collapses sideways, still conscious but rapidly weakening as blood pools beneath him.
The knife slips from my numb fingers.I killed a man.I'm killing a man.
I stand frozen, watching death take him, until Cole's voice breaks through: "Alex, sweetheart!Grab the remote control and the keys for the handcuffs.Now, while you still can.They're in his pocket."
Moving like I'm underwater, I kneel beside David's body.His eyes are still open, staring sightlessly at nothing, that grey gaze that once held so much malice now dull and empty.Blood still seeps from his throat, spreading across the concrete in a dark pool.My stomach lurches as I force myself to reach into his jeans with trembling hands, trying to avoid the growing puddle of red.I find the key and remote, but as I start to stand, white-hot pain explodes through my side.My hand touches something wet, warm.When I look down, my palm is covered in crimson.
Cole thrashes against his restraints."Okay, baby, keep pressure on the wound."
I press down, hissing at the agony.
"Good, now move my way."
Kicking off the heels, I start crawling.Each movement sends fresh waves of pain through me.Blood seeps between my fingers as cold sweat drips down my face.
"I don't feel well."
"I know, but you're almost there."
Tears of pain stream down my face as I finally reach Cole.Somehow, I find the strength to push up onto my knees, my whole body trembling as I fumble with the key.The moment his hands are free, my legs give out.I collapse, pressing my palm back against the wound as Cole tears at the ropes binding his legs.
He drops to the floor beside me, strong arm wrapping around my shoulders."Alex."His hand covers mine over the injury, and the pressure makes me whimper."Keep pressing, baby.I need to grab his phone and call for help."
"Hmm," is all I can manage.
Cole stumbles to David's body, cursing as he searches the pockets.Finding the phone, he rushes back, punching buttons with shaking fingers.He sets it on speaker, replacing my weakening hand with his own firm pressure.A woman's voice crackles through, and tears of relief sting my eyes.
"9-1-1.What is your emergency?"
"I need a fucking ambulance.My girlfriend has a stab wound, and she's bleeding."Cole's voice cracks with desperation.
"Sir, calm down, and tell me where you are."
"I don't know where we are.Can't you trace this phone?"
"I need you to remain calm, sir, we're trying to find your location as we speak."
"Don't you tell me to calm down when she's bleeding out.Hurry the fuck up!"
The world starts to blur at the edges."C-Cole?"My voice comes out barely a whisper.
His jaw clenches as he looks down at me, eyes glistening."Fuck it.I'm getting you out of here."
He presses my hand back over the wound and grabs the remote.The familiar click of freedom echoes through the air – the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.Then I'm in his arms, head resting against his chest, listening to his thundering heartbeat.
