I tried to move, just a little, and while my body screamed in protest, I was no longer restrained. I was lying facedown on the mattress, as if someone had dumped me there, and I was relatively sure I hadnt been raped or otherwise interfered with. Someone had simply managed to scoop me up and run off with me.
The watcher. I rolled over on my back, very gingerly, half-afraid he was waiting to pounce again. I kept picturing him like a bat, swooping down on me, dark wings beating at my head. Either I had hit my head and had a concussion, or someone had drugged me.
The room was even worse than Id thought, more a flophouse than a motel. Not that Id ever been in a flophouse beforeat least, I didnt think I hadbut the small table and two chairs, the hot plate, and the dismal china sink all looked like my idea of one.
I turned back and almost shrieked. The other bed was no longer empty. A man lay there, watching me out of hooded eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my voice was strangled in my throat. He must have seen the fright and fury in my eyes, but he didnt move.
There was one small, grubby window, and I could tell from the color of the sky that it must be a little past dawn. And then I remembered Amanda and the others, and real panic set in.
Have to get out of here, I managed to wheeze.
He didnt move, didnt react, and I wondered if hed heard or understood me. Maybe he didnt speak English.
I couldnt afford to waste time. I began to pull myself to a sitting position, ignoring the pain that shot through my body. You have to listen to me, I managed to say, my voice still thick with pain. I cant be here. I have to get far away. People will die.
He still didnt move. The room was murky in the predawn light, and I couldnt see him clearly. All I could tell was that he was long and lean, and he was most definitely not from around here. They didnt grow them like that in the Midwest.
I sat up, my feet on the soiled carpeting. Im getting out of here, I said, starting to push myself up from the bed. I hurt like hell, but I could make it. I had to make it.
No. Though I hadnt seen him move his lips, the word was, sharp, definite.
I told you
You told me people will die, he said in a bored voice. The only one who is going to die is you.
His cool words should have chilled me, but Id already figured out I was a lost cause. Look, I said patiently, you can do anything you want. Stab me, strangle me, shoot meI dont care. Just do it miles away from
the city.
I suppose I should have looked him over more carefully to see if I could find a weak spot, but I was too wound up thinking about Amanda. No more, I thought. For Gods sake, no more babies.
We are in Australia, he said.
I stopped trying to get up, finally looking at him. How long have I been unconscious?
Not long.
Okay, now I knew he was a certifiable fruitcake. Not that I should have had any doubta sane person doesnt swoop down on you like a bat and abduct you. I tried once more to get off the bed, and this time I made it, as if whatever had held me back finally let go.
Go to the window if you do not believe me.
I went. I didnt see koalas or kangaroos bouncing by the windowit looked like any dingy waterfront. Even so, it would take more than a couple of hours to reach the ocean from the last place I remembered being. So clearly Id been out for longer than hed said, but that didnt matter. All that mattered was that Amanda and all the other newborns would now be safe.
Okay, I said, turning back to face him. I was tired of running, tired of the fear and panic that had threatened to strangle me. Go ahead. Make my day.
And I spread my arms wide, waiting for him to kill me.
CHAPTER TWO
THE MAN GAZED AT ME, HIS FACE expressionless. You have seen too many movies.
I sighed. Look, I dont know who or what you are and I dont care. Im tired of running, tired of questions with no answers. If you want to shoot me, then go ahead and do it; otherwise, give me some answers or leave me alone.
I dont possess a gun. I was still deciding whether or not I was relieved when he continued, You know as well as I do that I do not need a gun to kill you.
I sat back down on the lumpy bed. I dont know shit, I said flatly. I dont even know who I am, much less who you are. Im sure you could overpower me if you wanted to, but Im also going to presume that if you were planning to kill me you would have already done it.
You should not presume anything. I can come up with half a dozen reasons why I have yet to kill you. Perhaps I need a better place to dispose of your body.
Like Australia?
His face was impassive. Perhaps I want to draw it out, let you suffer. Or maybe I have decided to give you a chance to talk me out of it. Or even give you a head start.
Okay, none of that sounded even the slightest bit reassuring. I took a good look at him. By some standards he might even be considered attractive. Hell, freaking gorgeousif it werent for the incredible coldness in his blue eyes. He had long, straight, very black hair, pale skin, a narrow face with finely chiseled high cheekbones, a thin mouth, and a strong nose. He looked as cold as Antarctica, and his faintly formal diction made him seem even more impenetrable.