Page 56 of In the Light of Day

Sensation prickles in my feet, continuing to rise up my legs until my lungs open and I take my first deep breath in what feels like days.

Run.

I'm not looking back. I've already wasted precious seconds fighting myself to gain control of my body. I take one short step, wobbling only slightly as I stumble into a nearby tree. Another step forward and I'm feeling more confident. Starting to pick up my pace, I focus on where each step will go on the forest floor. I can hear something behind me, getting closer but I don't dare look back as visions of a dark reaper figure consume my imagination and my steps become frantic.

I'm being chased.

RUN.

I crest the same small hill as all those years ago, an image of headlights shining along the highway in the dead of night flash in front of me. And still, I keep moving. I can't pay attention to what's happening behind me when I hear the familiar roar of an engine.

Ace.

My steps are erratic and I'm falling, stumbling, trying to get to him as fast as I can as the screams become louder behind me. Their taunts almost draw my focus, so when I break free from the undergrowth and stagger onto the warm tarmac of the highway, I barely notice the all familiar truck swerve around me. Ace emerges from the driver's seat before his truck comes to a complete stop. In his hands, he holds two guns and he looks like something out of a superhero film. His chest is heaving as he takes everything in. I'm sure a part of this seems surreal to him because it sure as shit does for me. Like we're living the same horror story over and over again.

Run.

I manage to lurch toward him. My only source of light in an otherwise dark world, when my hair is suddenly yanked from behind. Fingers scrape my scalp as the pull tightens and a strained cry escapes me when my back slams into a chest. The rancid smell of burnt cigarettes and stale breath assaulting my senses.

The strange man... but who is he?

His warm breath hits my neck as he drags his nose behind the curve of my jaw smelling me.

“Now why did you have to go and do a thing like that and run from me? I’m going to have to kill your man there now,” he says, nodding his head toward Ace. “And then you'll live the rest of your days in the dark. In a concrete prison where you will learn fast that you are nothing more than the holes you have. You are nothing to no one,” he taunts. “Iwill succeed where he failed.”

His spittle flies across my cheek as he breathes me in but I keep my focus on Ace. They might not understand it, but he's in charge, not these two mouth breathers. I'm looking for instructions. A signal or clue as to what he needs me to do next. My heart hurts knowing this will end in a blood bath, only it won't be our blood. Another death Ace will have on his hands but one that the world needs.

“I love you.” I mouth the words to Ace that I want so desperately to scream.

His grip on my hair pulls tighter and I can hear someone fall from the undergrowth further down the road. The person who I can only assume is Thad is wheezing so heavily that in normal circumstances I would be worried for his health but in this case, I hope he slowly suffocates.

“You think some meathead can save you, slut?” Thad yells between gasps of breath. He really should see a doctor and get some bloods taken or something.

Ace tilts his head. A brief look of contemplation crossing his face.

Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.

The sounds of bullets being fired in quick succession causes my body to stiffen and the strange man ducks behind me, using me as a human shield. I know that Ace is not aiming for us and I expect some sort of scream from behind me, but nothing sounds. Ace returns his gaze to me, taking several steps forward until the man holding me calls out, “Stop, or I’ll fucking kill her.”

“I love you,” I mouth the words, again, not daring to make a sound.

“Let this be a lesson to you. He dared to call my wife a slut and now look at him.” I chance a look behind me and see Thad's body lying on the grass berm. His neck looks severed, and his head half exploded, lying at an odd angle on the ground. But that's impossible because he was shot with bullets?

It's only right now, as all of this unfolds around me, that I understand the true talent Ace has. Why his skills we’re so sought after in the military. I knew he was gifted with his aim but he's literally cut a line of bullets through Thad's neck, something that even me, a gun novice, can appreciate is a talent.

The strange man gasps behind me, a low groan like a cornered animal coming deep from his chest.

“YOU FUCKING KILLED HIM,” he screams, stepping out from behind me slightly like he wanted to go to Thad's body but couldn't decide what to do.

Pop, pop, pop.

The painful hands holding me leave my body and I'm propelled forward, not quite getting my footing and in the last second, when I bring my hands up to take the impact of my fall, large strong arms wrap around me, lifting me to safety.

“I have you, love, hold on to me now.”

I cling to him like a lifeline as clean linen surrounds me and I hold onto him tighter. Snuggling deeper into his embrace I thank all the gods for the man who seems to know when I need saving, and without fail appears. His voice repeats softly, thathe has me, thatnothing will hurt me,and I can breathe again.

Chapter 44- Ace

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