Chapter 5
Chapter five
Madelyn
The water turns a faded red color as it rinses down the sink drain. Shivers run down my spine at what’s about to come. I’ll have to make a deciding move. Either tell the cops about my intruder or stay silent.
My hand shakes as I pat my face dry with a towel.
When the towel falls away, he is there. Still covered in mud and blood.
It leaves a stark reminder of what he’s capable of.
He moves the knife so that the blade points at my face.
My stomach turns as I notice his chest and arm are still bleeding from the cuts I made.
“Go stand at the door and wait. I’ll be back here,” he warns.
I nod, not being able to form words. Looking out the window, a solitary beam of light shifts in the gloom.
A police officer appears from walking up my drive, holding the light in one hand and papers in the other.
I force a smile on my face just is a fist hits the outside door.
“Police!” the man shouts. “Anyone home?”
I sense the intruder’s stare on my back.
Sweat forms on my hands, making it hard to turn the door handle.
The door opens only slightly as I am greeted by the man in uniform.
He shines his light on my face and moves it down to my feet while his eyes take in my appearance.
“Are you alright, Miss?” he asks. I guess I should have done more than just wash my face.
Glancing down at myself, I could have changed my clothes too, as mud covers most of my shirt.
I shrug, but struggle to answer. After a few seconds, I clear my throat to speak.
“I’m fine, Sir. Apologies. My car was giving me fits earlier.
I had come back up here until I can fix it in the morning,” I murmur.
The cop studies me. “That would explain why your car is down the drive. You live alone, Miss?”
He can sense that something is wrong as his eyes focus behind me. I force another smile. “Yes, I do. Bought the place about a year ago. Is there a problem?”
“Yes. I’m Officer Scott and I am looking for an escaped convict,” replies.
His eyes leave me to focus on the papers in his hands.
“Jackson Pierce was last seen leaving the state penitentiary a few hours ago.” He hands me a mug shot.
On it is the photo of my intruder, except in this one he has a buzz cut.
Cold eyes stare at the camera, and his jaw flexes tight.
Tattoos wrap around the sides of his neck to the front of his chest and beyond.
“Jackson Pierce, you say?” I glance down at his charges.
Second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence.
The list goes on and on. “I thought the prison was for low-profile prisoners. Should I be concerned with more of these types escaping?”
The officer shakes his head. “No ma’am. It’s an unfortunate situation. It seems to be an administration error.”
“I’ll say,” I whisper. This error has landed Jackson Pierce in my wake. My feet shift as I consider opening the door wider and allowing the cop a better look inside.
“So, I’m assuming you haven’t seen him?” An eyebrow raises. “Mind if I look around?”
I smile, “Yeah, sure.” I open the door and wonder if Jackson went out back and hid. “It’s just me here, officer.”
The cop moves around, looking through the space. “You really shouldn’t be out here alone. Do you have somewhere to go?”
I smile, eyes tracking him as he looks under my bed. “Actually, I was just leaving.”
The cop shakes his head and pulls out his radio, “All clear.” Then shifts his attention back to me. “I will leave you to it then. If you see this guy, you need to call right away and don’t engage with him. I shouldn’t have to remind you he’s dangerous.”
I nod. “I understand.”
He gives me his hand to shake and takes his leave. I stand at the door, watching as he goes down the driveway. My eye catches Jackson’s reflection in the window. He places himself right behind me, knife in one hand and a gun in the other. “He’s right, you know. I am dangerous.”
“I know…,” I mutter, while barely able to keep it together. “Is…is this the part where you kill me?”
He pockets both weapons before placing his hands on either side of my shoulders. “Maybe just the cop.”
My shoulders tense. “Don’t.”
He smiles and leans close to my ear. “What would you do to prevent that from happening?”
I shiver at his words. “Anything,” I answer, not wanting to be responsible for someone’s death.
“Anything? For someone you don’t know?” Jackson lets go of me. “You may think that’s brave, but that’s just stupid.”
Heat rises to my face at his words. “I’m not stupid.”
He keeps his eyes on me. “The only cops I have come into contact with are those who refuse to listen.” His feet shift closer as he continues to talk.
“And the only women that I’ve fucked are those that have no fight in them whatsoever.
” My eyes take in the smirk that appears on his face.
“You are not like the others.” A smile emerges from his lips.
I suck in a breath at his expression. This is not a happy smile, but one of a deranged man.
“But there’s just one problem, and that’s your mouth. ”
My lips turn into a thin line from the effort of not saying anything. I want to tell him to go to hell, but that will just prove his point.
“Yes?” Jackson shifts his attention to me.
I shake my head, eyes glaring.
“That’s what I thought.” He goes to open the door. But lucky for him and you, I don’t feel the need to kill either of you at the moment.
“Life is not a game,” I clap back. I can’t help it. “Neither is dying.”
Jackson walks through the door and motions for me to follow. “When they force you into a prison cell, everything becomes a game. What else is there to do besides come up with scenarios in your head?”
My hands turn into fists. “Perhaps you should have focused on personal reflection.”
“I reflected on some things. Murder. Sex. Revenge.” The wind picks up around us, giving out a warning that rain is closing in. I shiver against the cold.
“Revenge is most important,” he mutters, his focus elsewhere. “But the others are entertaining.” He shifts his gaze to me. A dangerous look slowly creeps across his face. “Get in the car. I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
It’s the same expression he had right before he chased me. The same one that caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise, just like they are now. He just may be the end of me. Unless I can figure out a way to escape him.