Page 65 of Redeemed

If I’m with Julie and Ben, Isaiah won’t stop at anything to get to me. No matter how long it takes, hewillget through Ben, and the aftermath will be devastating.

I can’t do that.

“I’m not putting you in extra danger,” I say, hating how my voice wobbles.

“You won’t be. We can defend ourselvesandyou. Let us help you, Haven,” Julie pleads.

“I have a place I can go,” I lie. “I—I’ll lay low for a while, until he leaves.”

Vaguely, I’m aware that I’m probably not thinking straight, but I can’t trust that. Can’t trust anything. All I know is I have to stay away from Julie.

“Honey, please don’t do thi—”

“I’ve got it. Don’t worry about me, all right? I’ll be fine.”

“Haven—”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I love you both.”

Julie and Ben start protesting again, but I’m already ending the call and shoving my phone back into my skirt pocket. I have to get off campus. From there, I don’t know what I’ll do. Go back to the party, maybe?

A crowd to get lost in, rooms to hide in, people to help if Isaiah finds me—I think it’s the safest option for now. Once I’m there, I’ll come up with a better plan for the night.

Peeking around the tree, I scan the area for Isaiah. It looks clear, but he could be hiding anywhere. Or he could be about to round the dorm hall and find me.

I can’t stay here.The campus walkways and roads are lit up with street lamps, but if I dodge the pathways and cut through lawns and around parking lots, I can avoid being seen.

My feet want to stay rooted to the ground, but I force myself to move. I sprint to the closest tree and plaster my body to it, praying desperately that wherever Isaiah is, he didn’t see me. When the coast seems clear, I move to the next tree, and then the next.

I make it a good fifty yards before I hear Isaiah calling for me. His voice sounds distant, and I don’t hear him running toward me, so I don’t think he spotted me. He just knows I wouldn’t have managed to make it very far yet.

Stupid.I’m so stupid for thinking I’d made it out. I never should’ve underestimated Isaiah. He’ll find a way to drag me back, no matter how long it takes.

“Heaven! Enough running. You need to come home.”

I gulp. He’s angry—angrier than I’ve ever heard him. I knew my disappearance would wound his pride, but I thought he’d be over it by now. Would’ve gotten remarried, had a child with someone else… maybe even two.

“Heaven,” he yells, and he sounds closer now. Too close, but he still doesn’t know where I am.

“You made a vow!” Isaiah’s voice echoes off the nearby buildings. “You know what happens when you break it.”

My chest fills with cold, hard dread.He’s going to kill me.

I dart out from behind the bush I was using for cover. I just have to get to the party. Once I’m there, I’ll be surrounded by people, and he won’t be able to hurt me. I can get lost in the crowd, find a place to hide, figure out my next—

Tires screech, and too late, I realize I ran into the street without checking for cars. I scramble out of the way and trip, sending myself flying onto the hard road. My knees and palms burn, and I brace for impact, but the car swerves just enough to not hit me. Whoever is behind the wheel has quick reflexes.

“Sorry,” I shout to the driver.

As I gather myself up, the car door opens. I can’t make out who it is with the headlights blinding me, but I don’t care. I have to get out of here.

“Sorry,” I say again breathlessly before stumbling toward the sidewalk. Standing so quickly has me dizzy, and I’m crashing to the ground again before I’ve even moved five feet.

“Heaven,” Isaiah yells. I can’t see him—he’s on the other side of the car, still running through the nearby picnic area—but he’s close.

No, no, no.There’s no way the car didn’t draw Isaiah’s attention. He was already gaining on me, so I have maybe a minute before he’s on me. There’s no way I can outrun him. I’m too drunk, too small, and he’s too fast.

I can’t go back.I would rather die than end up trapped at Cornerstone again.

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