I walk slowly past him, making sure to keep a wide berth between us. He watches me the entire time, his body tensing more with each second that passes, like a coil that’s been pushed too far and is ready to spring. He probably thinks I’m going to run for it.
And maybe I should.
But once outside, I go to the trunk, knowing that calling for help on my cell phone is better than any sprint and knowing that he could change his mind at any moment about me acquiring it. The screen door bangs behind me, and out of my peripheral vision, I see him standing on the small porch watching me.
I fling the trunk open. My stomach lurches when I spot the duct tape. He tied me up using that. He gagged me with that. Shoving those terrifying thoughts to the side, my eyes alight on my purse.
With frantic movements, I grab it and rip it open to search for my phone. A quick look over my shoulder shows Collin still on the porch, except now his arms are crossed and a frown covers his face.
Shit. Mr. Hyde may be emerging.
I whip my cell phone out and almost squeal in delight when I see that my battery isn’t dead. It’s low, just above ten percent, but it’s still working.
I start to tap in 911 but then my stomach lurches.
There’s no signal.
There’s no freakin’ signal out here!
A shuffling sound on the dirt has me whipping around. I clutch my phone tightly to my chest. Collin’s right in front of me. He’s only a few inches away, and I’m fairly certain that he shuffled his feet on purpose. He’s proven to be silent on every other occasion.
His gaze dips to my phone, and his eyes dim. In a quiet voice, he says, “I told you that we’re too far away from anywhere. Your cell phone won’t work here. That’s why I don’t want you trying to walk anywhere. I’m not sure you’ll make it, and you wouldn’t be able to call for help if you couldn’t.”
“But I’d be fine. Really, I would. How about I just take a few water bottles, and then I’ll—”
“I said no!” His voice changes, growing deeper.
I open my mouth to reply when he suddenly doubles over. A snarl tears from his throat, and the veins in his neck bulge.
Oh shit.
I scramble backward, bumping into the open trunk in the process.
Hairs sprout on the backs of his hands, and even in the bright sunlight, his eyes glow when he looks up at me. His jaw has changed again, elongating in that terrifying way.
“Lock yourself in the car!” he says through clenched teeth.
I back around the car so fast that I almost trip. With a wrenching movement, I have the backdoor open and am throwing myself inside just as the sound of ripping clothing reaches my ears.
“Oh shit! Oh shit!” I chant over and over as I scramble to click the locks.
I’ve only just engaged the final lock when a snarling wolf lunges at the side of the car. I shriek and fall backward, slamming into the opposite side of the sedan.
The huge wolf lets out a terrifying growl and checks his body into the car again. The door heaves in protest, and I’m pretty sure the beast created a dent, but the glass doesn’t shatter.
I squeeze my eyes shut and begin whispering a prayer. I’ve never been a religious person, but in this moment, I turn into one.
“Please, please, just let me live. Don’t let him kill me. I’ll be good. I’ll help others. I’ll devote my life to a good cause, if you just—”
But my prayers aren’t being answered today, because the next thing I hear is the sound of shattering glass.
Chapter 7 – Collin
Fuck!
The beast is gaining ground. When she spoke about leaving, about getting away before he could eat her, I lost control of him.
I know I’m losing the battle when he lunges at the car again. The force of our body shatters the back passenger window and the next thing I know, he’s wiggling through the broken glass, oblivious to the shards sticking to his fur.
He wants Brianna now.
She screams, her blood-curdling wail piercing our ears painfully. She’s curled into a ball, her legs bent at the knees against her chest to protect her abdomen. One of her legs hurls out, attempting to kick us away.