Page 3 of Pushed

Chapter One

Imperial

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The street was dark, the air thick and heavy, filled with summer humidity that dampened my skin. Flicking my shirt away from my back, I shook it gently, trying to force a slight breeze inside to cool me down.

It's fucking hot for being this late.

Glancing up at the sky, I could see heat lightening in the distance as it flashed against the skyline, silhouetting the mountains in black shadows.

My sneakers tapped gently across the ground, the sound traveling out through the air like waves riding the wind. Each step reverberated back into my chest, forcing my lungs to shake as I walked.

I had this feeling settle over me I couldn't explain and didn't understand. My stomach rolled in knots that coiled tightly around my gut making me breathe harder, my hair prickled up off my neck, forcing a chill down my spine; it came in hard and fast, forcing every sense I had to another elevation.

I could taste the pizza in the air from the restaurant two streets over, I could smell the charcoal of a backyard barbecue and the lingering aroma of burgers. The road was quiet—too quiet,making the chirp of crickets echo and the barking of a solo dog seem to multiply into a ravenous pack of wolves.

Twisting my head over both shoulders, I looked behind me, gripping the strap of my purse tighter and tugging it up on my arm. I felt like I was being watched, but no one was there.

There was no sign of life on the road or in the houses and buildings surrounding me. Silence entombed the paved corridor I was walking, while an eerie halo pushed off the streetlights, causing my heart to pound nervously.

Staring down at the ground, I followed the straight line of the crosswalk, walking it like it was tightrope. Heel to toe, I kept my body rigid, unwilling to step outside the white beam.

There's nothing to worry about, just get home.

Without warning, a set of headlights popped on, causing me to stop in my tracks. The car started forward and I just stood in the center of the road as it slowly pulled towards me. I felt frozen, mesmerized by the glowing lights.