Chapter 23
***WALKER***
Aloud thud outside the window woke Walker first, but only a second later, Maddie’s eyes flew open and she started to sit up in bed. “I think there’s someone outside the cabin,” he whispered, holding her down. “Don’t move, let’s see what they do.”
It was quiet for a few seconds, then there was another thud, and the smell of gasoline filled his nostrils. “Shit, that’s gas,” he said, jumping out of bed. “Get dressed and get out of here. I’m going to kill that asshole, he’s trying to burn down the cabin with us in it.”
“Just be careful,” Maddie said grabbing her clothes. “I think he’s a little crazy.”
“Desperate more like it,” he said. “I want you to get in the truck and get out of here, I’ll deal with Thomas.”
She ran over to him. “I love you,” she said, giving him a kiss. “Come back to me.”
“You can’t get rid of me,” he said, giving her a kiss back. “You’re stuck with me.”
He didn’t bother with his clothes. He was done messing with Thomas, he’d already gone too far kidnapping Maddie and Justin, burning down the cabin tipped the scales completely in his direction.
Thomas was in the process of lugging the second of two huge gas cans from his car when he flew out the door and he dropped it, splashing gas all over himself.
“Get back inside,” he screamed. “I’m going to kill you, burn you to bits, and watch while it happens. You’re not going to ruin my plan this time. Get back in there!”
His eyes full of madness, Thomas threw the gas can aside, splashing himself again, then rushed over to the cabin and started fumbling for something in his pocket.
“It will only take one match,” he screamed.
“One match is all I need to destroy you, then it will all be mine! You won’t be able to stop me. ”
Thomas got a match lit and lifted it to throw at the cabin.
Walker was sure that he wasn’t going to be able to stop the cabin from going up in flames, but Maddie came up behind Thomas and gave him a big shove right at the last minute.
He went flying, the match touched his gasoline-soaked clothes, and Thomas was instantly engulfed in flames.
He saw the horrified look on Maddie’s face and raced over to Thomas and shoved him down into the snow, then started rolling him back and forth until the flames hissed and went out.
He staggered back from the howling man and the smell of burned flesh. Maddie rushed over to him, and he pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t know he had a match,” she said. “I was just trying to give you an opening.”
“He got what he deserved, but you saved the day, sweetheart,” he said, then turned her away from Thomas. “See, I told you, smart, brave, and beautiful. I love you, Maddie. My life wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“I love you too, Walker, with all my heart and soul,” she said. “Now let’s go live our happily ever after.”