Page 54

I hear Mia wailing. Thank the good Lord, she’s alive.

But I’m not sure about Ava. Did one of the bullets hit her? The rain’s so thunderous, I didn’t hear a scream or a thud on the floor.

Impulsively, I pull the trigger again, but this time the gun doesn’t go off. What the hell? I try again. Again nada. Shit. The gun is out of ammunition. How could stupid Ned not keep it fully loaded?

I toss the gun. It’s time for plan B. The knife. Maybe it’s better this way. More control. No risk of harming my little Mia. And Ava, if she’s still alive, can die the way my poor sister died. Butchered to death.

I carefully fish for it in my bag, not wanting to slice my hand. Finding it, I toss the bag and listen carefully for any signs of Ava. My ears like radar. I can still hear Mia. Her wails growing fainter and fainter. That means Ava’s alive and on the move.

Gripping the mammoth knife, I blindly go after her, bumping into things, hard edges, and corners, trying not to think of all the bruises I’m getting. On my next frenzied step, I almost go flying.

Catching both my balance and breath, I forge ahead. Ava must be nearby. Mia’s howls pierce my ears. She’s almost mine. I can feel her in my arms.