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Move, Amethyst.
MOVE!
“If you’ve forgotten your sins, then I will make you remember!” she screams.
Her shrill voice triggers dormant prey instincts, and every nerve in my body screams at me to flee. The tendrils of fear tethering my feet to the kitchen floor snap, and I turn on my heel and run into the mud room.
One foot catches on Uncle Clive’s leg, while the other slips on his blood. I stumble through the narrow space, my arms flailing as I hurtle out of the door.
The doppelgänger’s maniacal laugh follows me through the mud room and out into the manicured garden. Juniper-scented air fills my nostrils but does nothing to clear the scent of death. It clings to my sinuses, my throat and lungs… down to the very depths of my soul. Mom… Uncle Clive… murdered by that monster.
I stumble over the gravel patio, my gaze darting across the garden. Beyond the hedge maze, flowerbeds, and lawn stands a border of evergreens separating Mom and Dad’s property from the neighbors.
Scenarios flicker through my mind like strobe lights. I could escape through the trees and run for help or rush around the house to where I left the car. Either way, I risk being shot in the back before I get even close to help.
I sprint toward the driveway, but two familiar-looking men emerge around the corner, both clad in navy blue uniforms with gold badges.Even though the visors on their flat-topped hats obscure their eyes, I can tell they’re here for me.
“Where are you going?” rumbles the man on the left.
He’s an oversized brute with a broken nose and a jaw covered in dark stubble. Spreading his arms, he charges at me like a linebacker. His partner, a golden-haired pretty boy with sparkling blue eyes, pulls out a taser and grins.
Alarm punches me in the chest, knocking out my air.
Change of plan.
Pivoting, I bolt toward the hedge maze, putting as much distance as I can between me and the men. If I can reach the trees at the end of the lawn, then maybe I can catch the attention of a neighbor or circle around toward the car.
“Come back, Amy,” says a smoother male voice that probably belongs to the blond. He sounds almost kind, but there’s no mistaking his sick joy.
I quicken my pace, not stopping to work out their uniforms. They aren’t the police, even though they’re both wearing body cams. Gravel crunches underfoot, threatening to drown out my thoughts. Are they connected to the other men who broke into my house? Does it even matter? I need to focus on escaping, not speculating.
“Don’t damage her,” the doppelgänger yells.
Her voice provides a fresh surge of adrenaline to pump my arms, forcing my body to run faster, harder, and escape this nightmare. As I round the maze at full speed, heavy footsteps thunder closer. Before I know it, a large arm encircles my waist, lifting me into the air.
My stomach lurches. Cold alarm forces out a scream.
“Got you!” The brute spins around so we’re facing the back of the house.
The doppelgänger stands in the mud room door with the blond, both flashing me dazzling grins.
“Help—”
The brute clamps a hand over my mouth.
“Put her in the van,” says the doppelgänger.
“Sure thing, Dolly.”
Dolly.
Stiffening, I turn my gaze back toward the monster wearing my face. Dolly is the name of the woman from X-Cite Media. The one who sent men to my house. The one who arranged for Lizzie Bath to be raped and murdered for a snuff movie.
Dolly is also married to Xero’s father.
As the large man marches me around the back of the house, her eyes burn into my profile, but I can’t withstand her stare. I thrash within the brute’s grip, even though each futile movement saps my strength.
I refuse to believe this is real. My real body must be out there, trapped in a car wreck, or strapped to a gurney while I hallucinate this horror to escape the truth that I killed Xero.
