Theres nothing you could do Jenna, I finally managed to assure her. We cant go back now, that thing is right behind us.
Her bright eyes darted behind us, widening slightly. I left a note
Theyll find it.
Will they find me ?
My heart was breaking for her. I hope so, I answered honestly.
Are we going to survive? Jenna asked tremulously.
There was no answer to that question; I didnt even know why she had asked it. Go left, Cade hissed from behind us.
I veered sharply to the left, pushing Jenna and Abby along with me, forcing
them deeper into the trees. It was hard enough for us to make our way through the thick underbrush, the three guys holding our mother were having an even harder time. I doubled back, slipping behind them as I searched the darkened woods. I was trying hard not to lose my control, trying hard not to give into the panic that was clamoring against my skull, and pounding through my veins. But I was greatly afraid that I was going to snap and fall apart at any moment. I had held up through my fathers death, but this
Well, this was hell on earth.
Bethany! Bret hissed. I ignored him as I slipped a few feet deeper into the woods. That thing was out there, somewhere. I strained to see it through the darkness. Bethany get back here!
I bristled over his commanding tone, but I didnt obey him, I didnt know why he thought I would. There was some commotion, and then someone was grabbing hold of my arm, trying to pull me back through the woods. Bethany, Bret hissed in my ear. Come on, we have to get out of here.
I know that. I tried to tug my arm free, but he refused to relinquish me. Bret! I snarled, impatience tearing through me. He didnt release me as he pulled me forward, tugging me behind the others. There was no way that we were going to be able to outrun that thing, it was impossible and if we didnt stop it, it would only follow us to the store. We have to stop it, it wont go away! I panted. We cant outrun it Bret, it will only catch us. It was true, we were already wearing down. Other than Bret, none of us were exactly athletes, though Cade was a lot stealthier than I had ever thought possible.
Finally! I shouted when he continued to pull me along, ignoring my protests. We have to finally stand up for ourselves! Bret, stop!
My voice was nearly hysterical, my heart was hammering painfully, I could barely breathe, but I was right. If we didnt take a stand we were going to die. There was no way for us to outrun it, no way for us to escape its steady, ruthless, approach. And no way that we would lose it before we made it to the antique store. This is it Bret, I whispered. This is it.
His eyes were dark in the night, but I knew their clear green color well. I also knew that stubborn set of his chin well, and the muscle that was twitching in his cheek. He was torn, annoyed, but beneath it all I could sense his fear for me, for himself, for all of us. Bret.
He turned away from me. Do you have any more guns? he asked Cade.
Cades eyes were dark, hooded as they slid toward me. They had stopped running with us. The plywood sat on the ground between him and Aiden. I could not see Abby and Jenna but I sensed them in the darkness, waiting breathlessly for us to join them. Cade? I inquired softly.
He pulled his bulky duffle bag forward, tugged open the zipper and tossed something to Bret. It was only when the dim light of the moon flashed across it that I realized it was another gun. I wanted to ask him where he had acquired the weapons, but now was not the time. He pulled the shotgun from his shoulder while Aiden motioned Abby and Jenna forward.
I dug the key from my pocket; my hand shook as I handed it back to Cade. Take mom. Aiden had a hold of Abbys shoulders as Cade handed the key to Jenna and explained how to get into the room. Jenna was pale and shaking, Abby looked about ready to cry as she tremulously hugged Aiden, and then me.
Come with us Bethany, she whispered.
I cant. Go on now Abby, get to safety.
I think you should go Bethy, Aiden said softly.
I shook my head, refusing to relent, refusing to cower and hide. I had been hiding for a long time, slinking silently through my life, trying to remain hidden in the world. I would not be silent tonight, and I would do anything I could to keep my little sister safe. I had to. If we couldnt all escape, I was at least going to help buy Abby enough time to get to relative safety.
I hugged Abby tight, turned her away, and pushed her toward the plywood still holding our mother. I couldnt watch her walk away. It was too painful. The two of them would struggle with our mother, but they would get her there, that much I knew. Abby was one of the most stubborn people I had ever met, she wouldnt fail.
Bethany
Im fine Bret.
I love you.
I felt my mouth drop, my heart plummeted in much the same manner. I knew how he felt about me, knew he dreamed of things that I never had, mainly because I rarely dreamed of anything. Life was too precarious for dreams that may never come true. But he had never said those words to me before, let alone announced them in front of my brother, and Cade.