But how could I get it? He’s pointing his gun right at me. He’d shoot me before I even got the bag off my shoulder.
A loud noise rattled behind the man as if someone were trying to open the library doors, but they were usually all locked from the outside after a certain time. Only those with a school ID card could get in by swiping it on the reader outside.
The man looked over his shoulder at the sound. While he was distracted, I swung my backpack off my shoulder, unzipped the top, and dug for the small can of pepper spray that hung on the inside.
“Hey!” the man yelled, his attention back on me. “Don’t move!”
Ignoring him, I fumbled with the pepper spray container and unlocked the cap. Before he could get any closer, I pushed down on the top button and aimed it directly at his face. I held my breath as the toxic mist sprayed and enveloped the man.
“Argh!” the man yelled. His hands covered his eyes and he dropped to his knees. The gun fell to the floor with a clang.
I didn’t wait around to see what happened next before I stepped around him to sprint for the library doors, but a large hand encircled my ankle.
I fell to the ground on my left shoulder and felt something pop. A sharp pain tore through my upper arm, and I screamed. The debilitating feeling left me breathless.
“You can’t get away from me that easily, little bird,” the man growled and coughed as he yanked me back toward him. “I will get that dagger.”
Frantic to get away, I desperately kicked, shoving the sole of my shoe out, hoping to hit something—anything—while cradling my left shoulder.
A sickening crunch resounded as my foot connected with the man’s face, and the hand around my ankle was gone.
Free of his grip, I scrambled up and ran out of the library.
Once I made it down the front steps, I turned to make sure he wasn’t following me. I stumbled backward and breathed through the pain in my shoulder.
The library doors remained closed.
Thank god. I need to get out of here.
I took another step back when I bumped into a hard chest. Hands gripped my arms, and I screamed, swinging out my good arm in defense.
“Hey, hey, it’s me.” Drew caught my hand a few inches from his face. His eyes were wide as they searched mine. “I tried to get in, but the doors were locked, and I couldn’t see anything inside.” His hands moved from my arms to cup my face as he looked me over. “What happened?”
I took a deep breath and pointed at the library. “It’s the guy in a black hoodie. He’s the one who sent me those pictures. He wanted the dagger.”
“The same one from the bar?” Drew asked, clenching his jaw.
I nodded and winced at the movement, holding my shoulder. “He had a gun, but I had my pepper spray.”
“You weren’t shot, were you?” Drew surveyed my body again before gently lifting my hand from my shoulder.
“No, no, he just tripped me when I tried to run, and I fell,” I rushed out. “I—I’m fine.”
Drew’s concerned gaze turned sharp as he reached for the gun concealed on his hip. “Stay here.” He walked up the concrete steps to the library entrance.
“No.” I swiped the tears off my cheeks, following him. “I’m coming with you.”
“Katherine,” Drew warned. “I said stay out here.”
I matched his scowl with a glare and stomped up to him. “And I said I’m coming with you. Besides, you need my student ID card to get in.”
I pulled out the card from my bag and waved it between us. He wasn’t going anywhere without me, and he knew it.
Drew sighed defeatedly. “Fine. Stay right behind me.”
I nodded, following close behind him.
Using the card reader by the far right door, we walked slowly through the entrance of the library, surveying the small area.
