Page 97 of Hart of Hope
“About?”
A gunshot went off inside the house.
“Go,” I said
She ran in one direction, and I bolted in the other.
“Grace,” Josh’s voice blasted through the thunder. “I’m coming for you.”
The barn lay east down a gravel path, marked by landscape lights. I hugged the tree line along the outer edge, using the lights to orient myself while staying in the shadows. The main house’s spotlight cast a weak glow behind me, helping me to gauge how far I’d come.
My feet pounded against the rain-soaked earth as I ran for my life. The storm had transformed the forest into a maze of shadows and sounds, making it difficult to hear anyone’s footsteps or breathing behind me.
I ducked beneath a low-hanging branch, the scent of pine heavy in the air, praying that Fran would find a phone and call for help.
A twig snapped somewhere to my left. I froze, pressing myself against rough bark, barely breathing. I counted to ten before continuing.
The lights along the path had disappeared. I must’ve veered off. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the forest for a fraction of a second, and a narrow path cut between two lines of trees.
I sprinted forward, branches whipping my face. The pain registered for a slight moment, but I pressed on. Behind me, a flashlight beam swept across the forest floor. I dove behind a fallen log as it passed overhead. Mud soaked my clothes, but I didn’t dare move.
“Come out, Grace,” Josh’s voice carried on the wind. He was closer than I’d thought he was. “We both know how this ends.”
The light moved on.
I counted to ten before rising, my shoes squelching in the mud. The barn had to be close. I sprinted, trying to dodge errant branches sticking out. One hit my face. I labored for breath. The steady percussion of the rain against the leaves kept time with my rapidly beating pulse.
Where was the barn? I had a feeling I wasn’t going in the right direction.
I dug deep and hoped for a miracle, clearing rain from my face. Each breath came in ragged gasps, my sodden sweater clinging to my skin as I ducked under a branch I barely could make out. I ran maybe ten feet when my foot caught on a branch or exposed root.
I pitched forward, catching myself on my palms, only for them to slide forward so that my face planted in the mud and leaves. Catching my breath, I climbed to my feet and ran and ran and ran.
The rustling of the trees, the thunder, and the howling of the wind made it hard to hear.
A shape ahead looked to be a building. The barn. I must’ve circled around the backside of it. My heart leapt with hope until someone’s laughter burst free, and my veins turned to ice. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining the deep laughter or if it was the thunder mocking me.
I ran ten feet more—and a strong arm snaked around my waist.
“My sweet Grace.” Josh pressed his mouth to my ear. “You can’t run from me.”
I thrashed against his grip, blinking away the rain. I was so close to the barn yet so far. I couldn’t fail. Thunder rolled loudand proud overhead, and in that moment, clarity struck before lightning cracked.
I went limp in his arms, as if I were giving up.
“I’m done,” I said to no one.
“That’s a good girl?—”
I snapped my head back, feeling the crunch of my skull with his nose. His grip loosened enough for me to break free. I darted forward until the bastard grabbed my wet hair.
I spun around and charged him, tackling him to the ground. The asshole was wearing thermal imaging night goggles. Of course he was. That was how he’d found me.
He tore off his goggles and smirked. “Well, what’s your next move?”
I pressed my knee into his groin. He stiffened.
“I’d always wanted to cut your father’s dick off.” I searched his side for a gun or knife, but he didn’t have any.
