I can’t even tell my parents. It would crush them to know their only daughter wasn’t clean anymore.
My father would track him down, and Dad would go to jail too.
I have to run, Diary. I can’t let that jerk find me. I’d rather die before he touches me again. Maya told me I have to leave, and I agree. To stay safe, I have to run. I don’t know where I’m going, but it’s better than being here—near him, where he can easily find me.
Regina
Chapter Ten
Krew
“What’s wrong with her? Why isn’t she waking up?” Concern laced Decker’s voice. He paced, keeping his distance from the bed I laid Regina on.
“I don’t know, man. Maybe shock at seeing us?”
“Not possible. Maybe she hit her head.” Decker stopped pacing, grabbed his bag and rifled through it until he pulled out a small box. He ripped the top open and retrieved a white tube. “It’s an ammonia stick.” He cracked it in half with his fingers and waved it under Regina’s nose.
Regina finally stirred with a slight jerk of her head. Her eyes fluttered opened, and she looked dreamily at me. “Hmm.” She smiled, closed her eyes, and snuggled against the flat pillow. “I’m still dreaming.” Her words were muffled by the pillow.
“Regi.” I gently stroked her cheek. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
She scrunched her nose before her eyes popped open wide, and panic immediately took root in them. She scrambled away from me. “No—No way. This can’t be.”
“It’s us, Regi. Deck and Krew.” I raised my hands and slowly backed away from her, hoping the space eased her alarm.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Decker’s censure didn’t help. He turned to me and frowned. “Maybe she did hit her head, and that’s why she doesn’t recognize us.”
“Regi, you’re safe with us.” I infused calm into my voice, but she kept shaking her head.
“You killed that guy,” Regina said accusingly, glaring at Decker. She turned her gaze from him and looked around the room. “And why did you bring me to this disgusting place?”
“Regi—” I began to say before she cut me off with a gasp.
“I’m not doing anything with you two—I have to leave—I have work tomorrow.” Her frenzied words and what she implied was like a hard slap to the face.
Decker snorted, as an angry sneer sliced his lips downward. “Get over yourself, princess. We brought you here because you and Krew are in trouble. There are killers after you both.” His verbal hit was a bullseye.
Regina stilled, her eyes going unbelievably wide while her parted lips slammed shut. She began to tremble. “I have to get out of here,” she murmured as tears trailed down her cheeks.
She stared at the motel room door, and then rolled off the bed and ran for it.
“I don’t think so.” Decker stepped in her path, blocking the door. “You can’t leave.”
“Get out of my way,” she screeched in his face as she reached around him for the doorknob. But Decker caught Regina around her middle and hauled her up off her feet. “Calm down, hellcat.”
“Don’t fucking call me that.” Regina scratched and tried to bite his arm.
“Jesus Christ.” Decker shook her roughly. “I’m going to knock you out if you don’t stop scratching and biting me.”
Regina went slack in his hold. She dropped her head forward, and went silent.
Decker sat her down on the bed, and the moment he stepped back, Regina scooted toward the headboard. She shook uncontrollably and I knew we wouldn’t be able to reason with her until she calmed down. It wasn’t like her to react to us in this manner. Then again, it had been years since she had seen us and someone tried to kill her this morning.
“Regina, please?—”
That’s not my name anymore,” she screeched.
“Not your name?” Decker countered with equal ferocity. “Then what the fuck is it?”
