to say, ¡°Get some rest, Samantha.¡±
Once I jumped out and closed the door, his engine sputtered far into the distance of
the quiet night. A cold breeze was blowing, and the twigs of the trees brushed against each
other, sounding like footsteps along the sidewalk. Shivering, I rushed past my dad¡¯s
landscaping van, making the mental note to be sneaky so I wouldn¡¯t endure an awkward
interrogation. That would be a nightmare.
Standing outside the door, I grabbed my keys from my jeans, holding my breath when
the jangling echoed in the night. Through the dead grass, the wind rippled, creating a
hissing like rattlesnakes. Then, a pattering came from behind and I froze. Keys dangling
in the air, I shakily let out my breath as I looked over my shoulder.
The sound stopped and the street was deserted. Shaking my head, I turned back to the
door, deciding it was just the branches. Right as I was about to insert the key, the
pattering came back, this time quicker and closer behind me.
Before I could turn around, an unfamiliar voice said, ¡°Miss Parks.¡±
A chill grew over me and I felt myself pale as I slowly turned around to meet my
unwelcome caller. Just like I expected, I didn¡¯t recognize the man at all. He was muscular,
but tall and lean, with dirty blond hair cut at his shoulders and a menacing grin on his
face. My knees trembled. This man was handsome, but he was dangerous.
He held a cigarette in his hand like it was a joint, his eyes scanning my body and I
realized how vulnerable I was. Swallowing, I said, ¡°Wh-who are you?¡±
¡°Not important.¡± His icy blue eyes landed on my spaghetti strap that fell down my
shoulder when Isaac kissed me, and he wiggled his eyebrows. ¡°Can see why Wrench has
his eyes on you. Not my type, more of a brunette fan, myself. But he does have taste.¡±
Wrench.
My stomach dropped.
¡°Y-you know Isaac.¡±
¡°Isaac, huh?¡± he said. ¡°Must be pretty intimate if you¡¯re using that name.¡±
¡°What do you want?¡± I asked. ¡°My dad¡¯s upstairs. I can scream.¡±
¡°Not necessary, Samantha,¡± he said, and I shivered at the sound of my name on his
lips. ¡°I¡¯ve just got a few words.¡± I stayed silent, my lip trembling as he took a step toward