Page 90 of Misted
Not after Mum’s boyfriend.
Once I take care of Nero, I’ll convince Hawk about a change of plans. We need to leave before Hades finds us.
My head is still ringing from the hit. I shake it and stumble inside the bathroom on unsteady legs. I reach for the gun resting on the yellowish lavatory when I’m yanked back by a fist in my hair.
Pain explodes in my skull and I scream as strands rip off. I kick back, but I miss. Nero spins me around and punches me in the face. Hard. Before I can react, he punches again and again until I’m choking on the metallic taste.
My vision starts to blacken, and I stumble, tripping on my own feet. I clutch the wall for balance, but I fall. My back hits the ground with a thud.
No. My baby. No…
My vision blurs into mismatched colours, and I can’t draw air through my blood-clogged nose. Even though my mind demands unconsciousness, I don’t grant it. I fight, thrashing in all direction. For my baby. For the life Hawk and I have been planning.
Tears stream down my cheeks as a suffocating weight crushes atop of me. “You fucking bitch.” He snarls in my face and I smell onions and the stench of beer. “I’ll bleed you open. I’ll kill you and throw your body in front of Hawk.”
“N-no… Please…” I beg. I’d do anything for him to let me go.
Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I felt the brightness and two lives rushing inside me, but now I’m beginning to lose that connection.
The sound of a zipper sounds in the empty, silent bathroom. Although my punches are weak, I still swing them at his face. I kick, too, but either they’re useless or Nero is just that strong. He trained us after all. He’s twice or three times my size.
He’s going to suffocate me. He’s going to kill me and my child.
A sob tears from my throat when he yanks my jeans down.
“Hawk…” I murmur. “Haaaawk!” I scream, thrashing with renowned energy.
Sadistic laughter bellows from Nero. “He won’t come, babe. I made sure he has enough kills to not interrupt us. He can take care of what’s left when I’m done with you.”
No. No.
He wraps a hand around my neck and squeezes, so hard, my breath is caught in a strangled cry. My eyes bulge and I squirm for breath. My nails scratch his forearm and anywhere on his skin.
I’m losing my baby. I’m going to die.
A tear streaks on the side of my face as my mouth falls in a wordless scream.
I love you, Hawk…
I’m about to close my eyes when a ringing shot sounds. Nero freezes atop of me. His hand loosens around my neck, but I continue blacking out. There’s a big red hole in Nero’s forehead. I smile, or I think I do.
Someone is pushing Nero’s huge body off me. Someone is shooting Nero three, five, ten times. He should be dead.
The ground shifts from underneath me before that familiar warmth envelops me.
“I got you, Hellion. I’m here.” He’s carrying me in his strong arms as I fall limp. “I’m sorry I’m late. I’m so sorry.”
“I… don’t…” My speech is slurred and I can’t open my eyes. “The… baby…”
Save our baby, Hawk. Save our dream. Take us away from here.
I want to say so much more. To tell him I’m not feeling that rush of life. That I want to cry.
Darkness comes first.