The night sky is clear here with nothing obstructing it, and I smile in relief as I bathe in the moonlight’s glow.
My body feels light, but my arm is heavy. Something’s weighing me down.
The rock is still in my hand. With one final fuck you to the Fathers, I toss it into the woods. A few smears of blood tarnish my fingertips, and I wipe them off onto the black fabric of my dress. I’ve got away with it.
A rumble of a car engine makes me turn around, and I see headlights in the distance as it comes my way.
This is the sign I needed. I have no clue where to go or what to do next. Whoever is behind that wheel is sure to help me though.After all, who’s going to ignore a nun in need?
I look up and give a silent thanks to whoever’s watching out for me tonight.
With a final bid for freedom pounding in my heart, I run toward the car. They’ll either stop and lead me to my new life, or they’ll hit me and I’ll get to see my mom again.
Either way, I’ll be free from my prison.
Chapter 10
Zack
Iwatch as Chloe runs from me. Again. This time I don’t follow.
She was pushing her luck anyway so it’s for the best that she’s gone.
Once she’s out of sight, I slam the door shut, and scream. It feels good to get that rage out of my system.
I start the car back up, and brace my hands on the wheel. My foot rests on the accelerator, ready to go, but my focus remains on where she disappeared into the trees.Is she waiting for me to chase her? Does she want a repeat of last time?
Of course she doesn’t. I’m delusional thinking she wanted it.
“She’s gone. Just drive already.”
I don’t move.
“Drive!” I slap myself in the face and shake myself back to life. I almost stall the car as I slam my foot down and fumble the gearshift.
The further away I get, the harder it is to breathe. My chest pangs with sharp stabbing pains. My body breaks outin a sweat. Am I having a heart attack? I laugh and look down at the pills. Maybe she was right, and I should lay off them. Wouldn’t want to die before I can finish what I started. It’s a shame she’s not going to be able to witness the rest of the night. I bet she would have enjoyed it.
My smile collapses as my sister’s video tape starts up in my mind. Those men are barely a drop in the ocean of men who enjoy hurting women. I suppose I’m one of them now. I’ve never done that before. Forced myself on someone. To be honest, I’ve never killed before either. I’m no better than them, but at least I’ll make up for it by doing the right thing in the end.
As I drive, I imagine what will happen to Chloe next. If anyone were to find her in the state she’s in, who knows what they’d do to her. They could be worse than me.
“It doesn’t matter!”
I can hear her screams in my head. See the tears she’d shed as some faceless man makes her bleed for him.
Those tears are mine.
I swerve the car around, and ignoring the speed limit, I drive back the way I came.
The exact part of the road where she left me is burned into my brain. Pulling up there, I’m out of the car in seconds, leaving the engine running and my door wide open as I rush through the woods.
All I can do is run aimlessly. It feels like I’m getting nowhere. I have no idea how to find her.
I don’t risk shouting her name in case I scare her off.
When I’m about to give up, I see a faint glow in the distance.Is it her? Is my angel back?
Keeping to the shadows, I move closer. My whole body feels heavier when I see it’s not her. Just a small fire at a campsite.
