Page 23 of Redd

I felt my knees weaken, but the floor never came. In one quick swoop, the stranger grabbed me by my waist and threw me over his shoulder. I didn't know if I killed Val, I didn't see where he was hit or know if we were leaving him to bleed out on the floor.

In the emotional confusion of it all, I had closed my eyes.

I felt the cold air on my face and the crisp oxygen as it filled my lungs. I heard the sound of my savior's feet as they slammed over the pavement and softened as they met the grass.

Everything happened so quick, I had no time to process it.

Before I knew it, the man was shutting a car door and an engine roared to life.

I was out. I was free.

But this, this wasn't over.

And no matter how much I wanted it to be, the damage had been done.

For now, this small victory meant everything.