Page 1 of Save Her Life (Sandra Vos #1)

PROLOGUE

Washington, DC

The man was making her skin crawl. Just the way he kept looking at her, not even trying to hide his attention. He was old enough to be her father. Just gross. If she ignored him, he’d hopefully take the hint and harass someone else with his disgusting leering instead of her and her best friend.

“You know what? I really need to get going.” She was grateful for a prior appointment if it got her away from this guy. She stood and kissed her friend on each cheek, their way of doing things, and headed for the door. A part of her felt guilty for leaving her friend behind to deal with him, but Avery assured her she’d be fine.

As she walked a cool tingle laced down her spine. She gave a casual look over her shoulder, and her heart shuddered. That man was following her. She picked up her pace, and in a few seconds glanced back again. He was closing in on her.

The sidewalk was crowded this time of day, but she’d never felt so alone. She could call attention to him and create a scene, but if it turned out to be nothing, she’d look the fool. It was no secret her imagination was a powerful tool as her English teacher often praised her for it. According to him, she had a bright future as an author if she wanted to direct her efforts there, but she had her sights set on becoming a nurse or doctor. Someone who helped saved lives, or at least brightened them. That was why she volunteered on the weekends at a nursing home.

Suddenly, she was attuned to the sounds of her shoes slapping against the concrete and beeping horns from angry drivers making their way down M Street NW. The smell of vehicle exhaust hung heavy in the air and made her lightheaded, but her destination wasn’t far now.

But as she kept her focus on that, she was rushed from behind. She never even had a chance to scream before everything went black.