like an hour has passed. Maybe it would’ve been a better idea to make a break for it after all, but I’d been too afraid I’d run right into him. The bins seemed a better way to go, hoping he’d go look for me behind the parking lot in the wooded area first. I would’ve waited for him to disappear into the trees and then made a run for the front of the store. Now I wonder if that was a smart move.
I hear footsteps approaching and I tilt my head slightly to better hear. The containers block the view of the van to anyone approaching, since they’re closer to the corner of the building. I realize too late I never shut the passenger side doors. He’ll be able to see it as soon as he starts passing the bins. He’ll know right away I’d escaped.
“No! You fucking bitch,” I hear him yell as the footsteps suddenly run past.
I’m afraid to breathe but my heart is beating so hard, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d be able to hear. Another volley of curses and then I hear the van door slam.
A few steps, and then silence. I press my hand against my chest to try and muffle the sound of my heart beating out of my chest, swallowing the whimper that wants to escape.
More steps, these sound like they’re coming closer, until suddenly I can hear running. The sound is moving away. When I can no longer hear them, I carefully straighten up, peeking over the edge of the bin.
He’s pacing back and forth on the far side of the lot, peering into the brush.
It’s now or never.
I find a handhold, lift a foot on a metal crossbar, and hoist myself over the edge without looking back. I land hard, catching my forward momentum with my hands. I ignore the sharp sting in my palms and despite the pain on my left side; I force my legs to move. The moment I clear the back of the second bin, I can hear him yelling behind me, but I’m already moving.
My legs are pumping and my eyes are laser focused on the corner of the building, coming closer with every step. Blood is roaring in my ears so I sense more than hear him closing in behind me. He yells again for me to stop, this time a lot closer and I force myself to run faster.
The instant I turn the corner, I run full speed into what feels like a solid wall if not for a distinct ‘harrumph.’
Next thing I know a pair of arms band around me, pressing me with my back to the wall.
“Keep moving along the wall,” the voice whispers before I’m abruptly released.
Only then do I notice two police cruisers blocking the alley.
Sumo
I’m going nuts, pacing back and forth outside the doors of the surgical wing.
The good news is Bryce has a concussion but no extensive head or brain injury.
Unfortunately, they took him straight to surgery to realign the bones in his lower leg and plates fixed to keep them in place. He won’t be able to put any weight on it for at least eight weeks, so he’ll have to get used to crutches to get around.
Good thing Blue was there, taking notes, because I barely heard anything the surgeon said when he was briefing us beforehand. She wouldn’t leave my side until I asked her to get us some coffee, needing a few minutes to myself.
I sink down in a chair and lean forward, my head in my hands. It’s been almost two hours since we got here, and I still haven’t heard anything from Tony. I’m going crazy with worry for Annie, worry for Bryce. It hurts my head and my heart.
Well over two hours since that creep took Annie and God knows what he’s done to her in that time. I feel sick to my stomach. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happens to either of them.
The doors at the other end of the hall swing open and I jump to my feet. Tony walks through, pushing a wheelchair holding Annie. I barely notice Blue following behind.
“She’s okay, we’ve got the guy in custody,” Tony says, but my eyes are for Annie only.
Unable to speak, I drop down to my knees in front of her, putting my face in her lap. Immediately her hands come up and stroke my hair.
“I’m okay, honey,” she whispers, as Tony and Blue keep walking,