Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 69398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
This would have to be the best day I’ve had in a very fucking long time.
Nothing could make it any less perfect.
At least, that’s what I think.
Turns out I’m wrong.
There is always something.
Always.
24
NOW – MERLEIGH
“I have to go and pick my son up from his father's place, he’s sick. Are you able to lock up for me? I know it’s short notice and you haven’t done it before, but it’s super easy.”
I stare at my boss and hesitate for a second. Not because I don’t think I can lock up, I’m just nervous I might do it wrong and someone will get in. Still, I’ve been on a few shifts where I’ve left when they’re locking up, I think I can manage it. I’m sure I can.
“Of course, that’s no problem. Can you just show me quickly how to do it again so I’m certain I’ve got it right?”
She nods and goes over it all with me. Then she tells me she’ll call me later to check-in, thanks me a hundred times, and leaves. It’s a quiet night so far, with only four customers in. I’m working with another girl who just started, too. Her name is Lennon. She’s a nice girl, the same age as me and she lives locally. Together, we manage to keep everything going until it’s nearly time to close.
We’re not serving meals tonight, so the chef isn’t here. We’re just serving pies, cakes, and sandwiches that we have in the cabinet, plus coffee that Lennon makes. We also have ice cream and milkshakes, so a few teenagers come in for that. Otherwise, it’s going quite well, and half an hour before closing, Lennon turns to me and tells me she’s going out the back to get some boxes to pack up the last of the stock.
I wipe down some tables and go back behind the counter just in time to hear the bell over the door jingle. I look up to see a man coming in. He’s maybe thirty, with scruffy hair and a handsome face, but it’s a face that is very cold. He looks at me and the moment his eyes meet mine, my stomach turns. All the alerts go off in my body and I’m suddenly very aware that this is about to be a very bad situation. I can feel it with every particle in my body.
He is bad news.
And we’re about to be trapped in it.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed,” I attempt to say, in hopes he might just turn around and leave.
“I’m looking for someone,” he tells me in a gruff voice.
“I’m the only one here, sorry sir.”
“No, you’re not. Miranda is here. I’m not leaving until I see her, go and get her and tell her that Tiger is here.”
Tiger.
That gives me shivers.
I’m about to tell him there is no Miranda here, but I hear Lennon’s voice come out soft and terrified from behind me. “Tiger?”
Wait? She’s Miranda?
“Surprise,” he grins.
This situation is dangerous, I can feel it in my bones, and yet I don’t know how to deal with it. I don’t want to aggravate this man, but I also know we need to get out of here. I glance around, without moving my head, to try and see where my phone is. It’s to my left on the counter, sitting down beside the till.
“Didn’t think I’d find you, did you darlin’?” he purrs.
“What do you want?” Lennon whispers. “I have a DVO out, if the police find out you’re here...”
“They’re not going to find out. Believe me.”
I shiver.
I take a small step towards the phone.
“If you take another step,” he growls towards me, “I’ll kill you both.”
He pulls a gun from his jacket and points it at me. I go still. Terrified.
“Please, she has nothing to do with this,” Lennon pleads. “Let her go.”
“To run to the cops? I don’t think so.”
“What do you want?” Lennon asks, her voice so shaky and terrified it breaks my heart.
“I want my wife, that’s what I want. You belong to me, angel.”
God.
He is terrifying.
And her husband.
“I’m not coming back with you,” she tries to make her voice sound stronger, but it doesn’t come out like that. It comes out broken and scared. “I left for a reason, and I’m not coming home.”
“You think changing your name and doing a runner is going to protect you? I found you, Miranda, and I’ll find you again and again. You belong to me, you’ll never escape me.”
“Please,” she croaks, “just let me go.”
This is escalating quickly, and I have no idea how to stop it.
“Come here,” he orders, taking a step forward.
“No,” Lennon says, her voice strong. I admire her strength, but this man is dangerous and her standing up to him now is only going to make him lose it. “No, I’m not going. You need to leave.”