Chapter 42
Naomi locks the doors the second she’s back in her rental car, hand shaking wildly as she attempts to put the key in the ignition.
“Breathe,” she tells herself. The engine roars to life and she puts her seatbelt on, allowing herself one final look at the house before reversing. A misty fog has settled on the property, and she imagines her sister striding through it. But Faye is nowhere to be seen.
Naomi has half a mind to make a break for it, bang on the front door, but she knows tonight is a lost cause. She needs to retreat. Clear her head and try again once she has a better plan, especially now that she knows Sam will be watching her.
Rain starts to fall as she pulls onto the main road, heading toward the interstate.
As she speeds down the highway, she tries to formulate a plan. But she’s defeated. If she was right, then why would he let her go?
She flicks her windshield wipers on full power as the rain turns to a heavy downpour, squinting as a pair of bright high-beams blind her in the rearview mirror.
“Fuckin’ asshole,” she mutters, trying to stay focused.
But the car continues to distract her, getting closer with every passing moment, until it’s tailgating her. She’s tempted to brake-check the driver, wondering who it could be. An idiot teenager? A drunk driver? She continues to drive, both hands tightly gripped to the wheel.
Or is it him?
Naomi accelerates at the thought, desperate to put more space between them.
She’s going far too fast for the inclement weather as she approaches a bend, panicking as she presses the brakes.
But the car continues at pace. She hits the brakes harder, but once again the car doesn’t slow.
She’s overwhelmed with fear as the car hydroplanes, realizing that if she dies, she might never learn the truth.
But there’s nothing she can do now except brace for impact as her car spins off the road, straight into the trees.