Page 92 of Hunt Me

I took gasping breaths until I was close to hyperventilating. Oh, no. Leaning back against the wall, my hold on the crowbar became a death grip. I wasn’t going to die here. Maybe if I could rest just for a little while then I’d feel strong enough to get out of here. Maybe.

After taking several deep breaths, I felt calmer. At least I wasn’t as lightheaded. I lifted and bent my legs, wrapping one arm around them, rocking as the cold settled in. A single tear slipped past my lashes, sliding so slowly down my face my skin tickled. As soon as it reached my lips, I licked the salty bead. I was thirsty, my stomach gnawing with hunger, and this wasn’t the way I wanted to die.

I closed my eyes, unable to stop shaking, the reality of my new life sinking in. I was Mikhail’s prisoner. He’d never let me go. I’d seen the look in his eyes, the possessiveness as if the moment he’d touched me I belonged to him.

Never stop fighting. Don’t give in. Don’t you dare give in.

I was tired, so very tired. Maybe I could just rest for a few minutes. Just a few… Then I would…

“Don’t go far, baby. We’re going to have ice cream soon.”

“O-tay, Mommy.” Giggling, I raced away from the table. Lights. There were so many lights. They were butiful! I hopped and skipped, turning in a full circle, spinning and spinning. A sound. What was that? Ah, maybe something else.

I took off running, throwing my arms out.

A sharp sound and I jumped. What was that?

“Mommy?” I turned around. Where was she? I couldn’t see anyone.

Another noise. Now I was scared. Where was my mommy?

“Mommy!”

Voices.

Was that my daddy? I ran toward his voice.

“No. My baby girl. My baby girl!” My mommy’s voice.

“Get her out of here.” That wasn’t my daddy.

I turned. A man. A stranger. He was coming for me.

I wasn’t allowed to talk to strangers.

“Mommy?” I took off running, tears streaming down my eyes.

Suddenly I was flying in the air.

Thump.

Boom.

I jerked awake, panting and immediately struggling to remember. Where was I?

Footsteps.

Jerking awake, I blinked several times to try to understand what I was hearing, vivid images of the nightmare plastered in my mind. I’d been lost. Where had I been? An amusement park. That’s right. The nightmare had never gone this far. I could still feel the stranger’s arms around me as he’d… He’d picked me up. Then I’d been on the ground. An explosion.

Fire.

Flames all around me.

Images continued to pop into my mind. I could almost feel the intense heat. I’d screamed and screamed.

I bit back a cry, still shaking from the ugly visions. Nothing made any sense, including the ache in my arms and legs. The second I shifted, the ugliness of my situation fogged over what was left of my sanity. My mouth was dry, my head aching.

My legs were asleep, yet I managed to straighten them out, crowding against the back of the wall. Then I heard another sound. More footsteps.