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I heard the crunching of footsteps and the opening of a car door, followed by a piercing scream that made the hair on my arms stand up. I heard Troy suck in a shaky breath.
“Get your hands off of me!” shrieked Veronica.
I felt a mixture of fear and relief that she was okay. I turned my head to see what was going on, and to also make sure she didn’t get away. I wondered if I would ever feel safe again knowing she was in this world.
“Miss Mews. Please, calm down.” The police officer put his hands up carefully, as if he was scared to touch her.
“My car!” she screamed, as she looked around. The red hood was completely caved in. The windshield splintered like a spiderweb. The passenger window caved in, the door crushed. That was where I had sat. I shuddered at the sight of it.
I watched as she took in her totaled car and then as her eyes grew wide, looking frantically around.
“Troy!” she screamed. “Where is Troy?”
She started sobbing, placing her forehead against the steering wheel and banging against it.
“Miss Mews…” said the police officer, putting his hand on her back. “Please, stop. Miss Mews. Please.”
She began clawing at her hair, pulling it away from her scalp and violently shaking her head, screaming sobs escaping her.
“I killed him,” she sobbed. “I killed Troy! Oh, my God!”
“No, Miss Mews. You didn’t. Mr. Gunner is fine.”
“Don’t lie to me!” she yelled. “I saw him. I hit him. Oh, my God. I couldn’t stop the car in time.”
“Veronica,” said Troy loudly, trying to break her from the spell she was under.
She quickly looked up through her tear-filled eyes and saw him. In disbelief, she took the sight of him in for a moment before her eyes landed on me, being held in his arms. I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry.
“You,” she growled, her voice narrowed in a cold almost whisper.
She stumbled out of the car, madness in her eyes. I couldn’t look away, though I wanted to desperately. I caught sight of her mangled leg dragging on the ground toward me and it made my stomach turn. She didn’t even seem to feel the bone that jutted out of her skin.
“Miss Mews. Please. You’re hurt,” said the police officer, waving over the others to help him.
Two other officers walked over and wrapped their hands around her arms, supporting her as she tried to claw her way toward Troy and me. She lost her balance and shrieked in pain as she started to fall to the ground.
“Oh,” I sobbed, turning my face to Troy’s chest as he held me tighter.
“You are under arrest, Miss Mews,” said the officer. “For the abduction of Monica Durrall and reckless driving. Please, don’t make this harder than it is. You’re very hurt. Let us help you.”
“I don’t need your help!” yelled Veronica as she tried to fight her way out of the police officers’ grasp. “I’d like to call my lawyer. Now!”
“You can do all of that at the police station. For now, you need to be seen by medical staff. You’ve suffered a broken leg, and who knows what else,” said the police officer calmly.
He followed behind Veronica and the officers who carried her toward one of the ambulances that had just pulled up.
“We need to get you checked out too,” said Troy softly, looking me over.
“I’m fine,” I insisted.
Even though I was far from it. My mind and body were still in a state of shock. Hell, I didn’t know if I had my own broken bones jutting out of my skin.
“Please, baby,” whispered Troy.
Baby. The word warmed through me like a hug that I so desperately needed. I nodded against his chest as he carefully carried me across the rocky terrain to the other ambulance. The paramedics rushed over to take me from him, but he didn’t loosen his grip. And nor did I as my arms tightened around his neck. If this was real, I wasn’t going to let him go. Not again.
He carried me up into the ambulance and sat next to me as the paramedics took my vitals and shined bright flashlights in my eyes. I heard Veronica screaming in the distance, and desperately tried to shut the sound out. I shut my eyes as the slow spread of pain flooded my head. Everything seemed so blurry, even the feel of Troy’s strong hand in mine.