I watched in slow motion as Baron pulled a tiny silver key from the idiot’s front pants pocket.“That could be it!”
Already turning and shifting in Baron’s direction, I held my breath as he tried the key for size.My focus settled on the wall while I silently prayed for his success, whilst the rest of my senses remained attuned to possible new hazards.
It was only when Baron dragged my wrists apart for the first time in what seemed like hours that I called out with relief.
“Thank fuck!”Stretching my fingers out in front of me, I wanted to cheer.“Thanks.”
“You’ve got it.”Glancing up from their bodies, he smirked as he tugged one of each of their hands into the cuffs and secured the metal bracelets.“This ought to keep them busy for a few minutes when they wake up.”
I laughed at his handiwork, imagining their confusion when they roused with stonking headaches to find themselves cuffed together.
“And look what else he has.”Yanking a handgun from the same guy’s back pocket, Baron tossed the weapon my way.“That evens the score a little, I’d say.”
“Two of us, two guns and no cuffs...”Running my fingertips over the black casing, I was more eager than ever to run into the creep running the operation.“I like our chances.”
Chapter Two
Head Fog
Erin
With the gun held out in front of me, I leaned against the wall and forced myself on.The legacy of my earlier sickness lingered, leaving not only the perennial bad taste in my mouth, but the kind of low-lying headache that never seemed to wane.There was no choice but to ignore the symptoms and keep moving, though, however clouded my head seemed.
I had to get out of there, had to dodge whatever overpaid lackies Hawkins was sending and find a path to freedom, but first, I hoped beyond hope that I’d find Eli.
Silly.
Itwassilly and I knew it.I should have been focusing on saving myself, but that was no consolation as I pressed on.However ridiculous it seemed, I believed in the fanciful premise that there was a possible future for the two of us.I might have survived on my own, might have discovered a route out and somehow made it back to whatever remained of my life, but with Eli by my side and Hawkins’ sorry interference behind us, I aspired for more than only survival.I wanted to flourish.
His was the mental image in my head as I stumbled forward.His was the voice urging me to take care when the hand holding the gun began to tremble, and his were the arms I imagined holding me up when my feet didn’t feel as though they could take me on.After everything we’d been through together, and all that had happened since I last saw him, I couldn’t get the man out of my head.
Eli.
I longed to say his name, to feel the word on my lips again—just as I yearned to see his face—but in the dark silence of the hall, I didn’t dare risk attracting unwarranted attention.I’d managed to avoid running into any unwelcome friends since I’d made my break from Hawkins’ office, but I wasn’t an idiot.I knew my luck would run out eventually, and when it did, I had to be ready to do the unthinkable and actually use the weapon in my grasp.
My breaths were labored as my focus fell to the evil-looking gun, my shaky fingers trying not to squeeze the trigger.I’d always hated the things and recalled how freaked out I’d been when Eli had first revealed the weapon he’d been carrying, but in the last few days, guns had become a necessary evil.So much so that I’d chosen to pluck the one Hawkins had hidden in his desk drawer before I fled from his office.
Lowering the weapon slightly, I glanced along the corridor ahead, wondering which direction to head in.There appeared to be a left and right option coming up, and before then, three doorways, all of which were closed.It made sense to press on up the hallway and look for a potential exit, but the thought also occurred that Eli could be hidden behind any of those doors.
As could Hawkins, or any of his ‘friends’.
I shivered at the thought, knowing the reality was far from unlikely.I had to be prepared for anything.
Resuming my journey, I inched along the hall, conscious of the sound of my footsteps along the hard floor.The good news about those echoes was that I’d have heard a potential foe approaching, but the bad news was, those enemies would have also heard me.
I paused by the first closed door, contemplating whether it was worth checking inside.I had no way of knowing where Eli had been stashed away, and I accepted, even if I happened upon him, Hawkins could have left an armed goon to watch over him.The fact that I was armed too was less reassurance than it should have been.I knew nothing about guns, while the theoretical goon would likely have a lot of experience, but I was determined not to allow my fear to guide me.If I slipped out of Hawkins’ compound without discovering Eli, I’d be alive, but I was condemning myself to a life of not knowing his fate.A life of wondering whether Eli had made it and what could have been between us if I’d only been braver.
I wasn’t going to let that happen.
If there was one thing our short, impetuous, and passionate affair had taught me, it was to live for the moment.No one knew what the next day would bring; James, Miles, and Chelle’s fates were a glum reminder of that.The only day we had was the one we were currently living.
Seizing control of my bubbling anxiety, I turned the handle of the nearest door and pushed it open a fraction.I had to take the chance and check every room while I was there.If I made it out, I had to know I did everything I could to find Eli.
The door moved in what seemed like slow motion, fear rising to choke me as my gaze darted inside to meet the darkness, and to my relief, there was nothing but silence inside.
“Hello?”
I whispered into the gloom just in case some frightened soul was tied up inside, although I couldn’t imagine the man who’d mastered me being that person.When there was no response, I closed the door quietly before moving on.There were two more doors before I had to choose which way to go next, and I intended to ensure both of them were as empty as the first.
