“Fucking Shadow,” I mumble, going to the elevator, still angry at the way he talked to me.
“He’s going to hear from me,” I continue to talk to myself.
The elevator dings, opening the doors, and letting me onto my floor. I step out, and my eyes widen in shock. I drop my bags and cup my mouth. Sara is crawling along the hallway floor, blood staining the carpet behind her. Her face is smeared with blood, her clothes tattered as she pulls herself along the floor with her trembling hands. The elevator dings as the doors shut behind me, catching Sara’s attention. She looks up and her dull eyes spot me, widening with recognition. Her body wracks as she begins to sob loudly.
“Dani, help me!” Sara yells. My heart thumps against my chest, and I feel lightheaded. I grab the wall, trying to stop my episode.
“Not now,” I whisper to myself, my own body trembling in fear.
I push off the wall and go toward Sara. She is crying uncontrollably, blood staining the carpet all around her.
“Dani, run! Call for help,” Sara cries. I slap my hand across her mouth, trying to shut her up.
“Shut up, Sara. If they find me, I am not going to be much help to anyone,” I whisper harshly. “Where is my son? Are you hurt badly?” I question. Sara’s eyes widen, her body suddenly wracking uncontrollably. “What?” I ask, fear stiffening my limbs. Her eyes stare wildly at something behind me. I turn slowly to look but am smacked in the head with a hard fist, causing me to collapse on Sara.
***
I open my eyes, everything blurred and hard to make out. The side of my head throbs and stings. I move my hand to touch where the pain is coming from but can’t move my arm. I try the other arm, but it doesn’t move either. I blink rapidly, trying to wash away the blurriness plaguing my vision. I look down and see I am sitting in one of my kitchen table chairs, my arms pinned behind me. Moving my wrist, it feels like twine binding them. I move my legs to see if they are free, but they are tied, as well.
“Well, it’s about time you came to.” I try to look behind me, trying to see who is speaking but my head won’t turn that far. I look around the room, trying to find Zane, hoping he didn’t witness what happened to Sara and praying he isn’t hurt. The only thing I see is the front door across from me, the TV next to me, and toys, along with blood, spattered throughout the carpet. My eyes fill with tears, terrified something bad has happened to him.
“I’ve been watching you, Dani,” the voice says eerily, making my blood run cold. It sounds familiar, but I can’t make it out.
“You took so much from me, took the only family I had,” the guy continues. I shake my head; he’s not making any sense. I haven’t taken anything from anyone.
My head falls forward and I sigh, irritated. I need to get out of this chair and find Zane. I need to make sure my son is safe.
“Remember me now?” I look up and my head swims with lightheadedness, my vision spotting with little white dots.
The guy has blood staining a white Devil’s Dust shirt. His blue jeans are stained in blood, as well. His brown, familiar eyes stare at me with a vengeance. My eyes travel upward to his sandy-colored hair which is cut into a Mohawk. Do I know this guy? I tilt my head, trying to get past the pain throbbing in my head. He looks like Charlie. Charlie was a prospect years ago who didn’t get patched in.
“Charlie?” I whisper. His cruel eyes smile as an evil grin spreads across his thick face. It is Charlie, and he’s blaming me for not making it into the Devil’s Dust brotherhood.
“Where is my son?” I scream, my head exploding from the sudden exertion. Charlie chuckles, the tone sounding maniacal.
“Oh, don’t worry; he’ll be dealt with. Your whole family will meet their maker,” Charlie replies, lifting his broad shoulders and lowering his head, his eyes staring at me with promise. I close my eyes tightly, my heart pacing so rapidly I fear I may faint. I have to get ahold of myself; I need to find my son and get Sara to a doctor quickly. Charlie threatened my family, he threatened me; I need to be strong and push through this terrifying ordeal to defend my family. I can feel my anger bubbling, the darkness I have fought so hard to keep buried surfacing, and I pray Zane is not watching. I open my eyes and inhale deeply, mentally prepping myself for the darkness which will fog my mind and will save me and my family. My lip curls and my brows furrow inward, pinning Charlie with a deadly promise.
“I’m going to kill you,” I whisper, my voice low and husky.
Charlie laughs, wiping the blade of his knife on his jeans.