Page 1 of Coercion

Ruby

Run.

That’s the only word screaming in my head as I scramble through the darkness. I don’t know what time it is. I don’t know where any of my family are. I only know one thing…

Someone is in the house.

Gunshots echo from the floor below. For a second, sheer panic makes me freeze and then I come back to my senses. I have to get out. I have to get as far away from whatever this is as possible.

I know I could climb out of the window and hide in the garden but if there are men in the house chances are they’ve already taken out our guards so there’s no guarantee they’re not waiting for one of us to make that move.

In the crystal glass that spans the entire front of the house, I can see my petrified reflection staring back at me. My parents always had a thing for luxury. I guess when your entire business revolves around smuggling diamonds you get used to a certain way of life.

My hand fingers the chain around my neck. A solitary diamond more costly than most people’s annual income hangs between the dip of my collar bones. It’s a family heirloom, it belonged to my great grandmother and was gifted to me for my last birthday, to mark the apparent enormity of turning sixteen.

Another shot rings out followed by a scream - both of which make me jump like I’ve been shocked.

I know it’s not my mother, but the sound still petrifies me. It must be one of the maids, but that doesn’t give me much comfort; if they’re taking them out then I don’t stand a chance.

And then a shadow moves near me. I barely have time to register it before I hear the sound of my brother’s voice calling my name and within seconds I’ve thrown myself into his arms.

“It’s okay.” He says, holding me tightly. “But we have to get out.”

“What about mum and dad?” I gasp back.

He shakes his head.

“No…” I wail and he’s quick to clamp a hand tightly over my mouth to stifle the noise.

“We have to go, now.” He growls as loudly as he dares.

I let him carry me away like a child, down the hall, towards what he thinks must be a safe route out. He puts me on my feet before sliding the window open and he stares down as surreptitiously as he can.

“We need to keep to the foliage. Keep your body pressed tight and we should make it.” He says.

I nod back, wiping the tears, trying to must what little bravery I have left and focus on the task ahead. I don’t mention the potential of armed men waiting for us. I keep that thought to myself.

I can do this. I have to do this.

He climbs out first, offering his hand for me and despite my resolution, I can feel myself trembling as I take it. If we fall, we’ll be lucky to simply break a few bones, and yet if we stay, whoever is here will certainly put a bullet in our heads.

But I can’t think like that. I have to stay focused on the now.

Slowly, we climb down the trellis. The damned leaves stick to my face, they dampen my pyjamas and I can feel the material sticking to my chest. If I’d been smarter I would have put something on over the tiny shorts and top I was sleeping in, but it’s too late now. I just hope wherever we’re headed, we get there fast because it’s absolutely freezing outside.

“Keep going.” He murmurs.

We were on the second floor when we started but I used to spend my most of my childhood climbing trees across the estate, this is child’s play compared to that and yet it feels like I’m scaling a mountain.

When my feet hit the grass, I let out a sigh of barely muffled relief.

“We have to run now.” Jett says. “Head for the trees. Run as fast as you can.”

Again, I nod, giving him a look that hopefully fills him with the belief that I can do this.

He turns and starts sprinting.

I draw a ragged breath and then race after him.