Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Hurrying through the car garage, I spot my car on the bottom level.
I unlock it before throwing my bag over the seat and into the back.
I put my key in the ignition and turn it over…
nothing. I check the dash, no lights come on, so I try again, holding the ignition on.
It whines loudly. "Come on, not today," I say, smacking my dash with my fist. My car groans and protests but eventually sputters to life.
"She may be ugly, but she is reliable when I need her.
" I hug the wheel before shutting my door and easing out in reverse. I’m hyper-aware of the placement of all the other cars.
I don't want anyone to catch me leaving. I wince as the side of my car scrapes against the parking post. The bright blue paint from the post rolls off and decorates my poor baby. Whoops. I hadn't been lying when I said I was a terrible driver. I tear out of the car garage and head straight for the highway. Freedom thrums in my veins. If I can just keep this up, I will be free. Something blinks at the corner of my vision, a nasty red reminder that my baby is thirsty. Damn it. Gas needed to be a requirement if I’m going to get very far. I bite my lip. Maybe, if I’m quick, I can manage it.
But if I don't control my emotions soon, I’m going to get found out.
I pull into the first gas station I see and fill the tank.
I'm sure the thing was in a shock of a lifetime getting an actual full tank for once.
I pay for my fuel and map out the route I'll take.
I pull back onto the highway, my foot getting heavier with each mile and I whoop in excitement the second I pass the city limits sign.
I laugh as the City rapidly vanishes in my rear-view mirror.
I’m free! I twist the knob on the radio and turn it up high, singing along with a pop song.
I have no real destination in mind but the next big city over looks like a great start.
Plus, it is over eight hours away. More than a nice cushion from my two lunatics.
I’m halfway through my journey, still singing and dancing along to the music when my stomach clenches hard with a sudden wall of fear.
Goosebumps spread across my skin, and I shudder.
My eyes dart around, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
I’m alone on the stretch, no one else around.
Maybe I need a break. I have just escaped from a traumatic experience, after all.
I pull over, stretching my legs and raising my arms above my head to stretch my back until it pops.
My heart pounds, eyes flittering over my surroundings.
The anxiety hasn't eased up, if anything it’s worse.
There is nothing around me. Just trees and long stretches of absolutely nothing, not even a house or a hut.
The dread eats away at me, gnawing at my stomach.
I dash back into the car. Whatever this is, I don't want to have to deal with it.
I turn the key and the car sputters again.
What? No! I force myself to take a deep breath and try again.
This time my car hums to life and I stomp on the gas pedal and don't let off until I find another gas station.
The sun hasn't set yet, so I pull in and fill the car completely full again.
Every second that passes makes me feel worse.
Every hair on my body stands on end, preparing me for whatever the hell is coming.
I try to ignore it, just keep going. All I have to do is drive.
If I don't stop, nothing can get me, right? But it gets to the point where I’m being boiled from the inside out, boiling alive inside the car.
It hits me like a ton of bricks, when I'd last had this particular sensation. Shit! No, not again. The sickly heat throbbing through me. I’m in the middle of nowhere.
I put the car in park on the side of the road, scrambling in my purse for my pills.
I have one, just one tiny pill to stop this fresh hell that spreads through me like a disease.
I gulp it down with the last of the water I snagged at the last gas station.
I swallow half the bottle before pulling it from my lips and dumping it over my head, desperately trying to calm the fire.
I try to sit inside the car, but that isn't working, either. Leaving my car in park, and making sure no one else is around, I climb out of the car to get into the cool air. But I’m desperate.
It doesn't do shit. I grab the side of my car, struggling to stay upright. How the hell am I going to drive like this? Maybe there is something in my trunk? I pop it open and rifle through it until I find a tiny trial size of tequila. It’s pathetic, but maybe it will bring some relief.
I down it. It’s barely a swallow and I can't find anything else. The trunk is completely empty.
I close my eyes, thinking hard. The heat is mine, that much is pretty obvious.
But this fear that plagues me? The mind-blinding anxiety that makes it so hard to focus?
That was one of them. There is nothing to fear here.
On top of it all, it’s getting worse, almost taking over my complete mind.
My pain howls at me, reminding me it was still there, too.
I climb back into the backseat of the car with a huff, lying here trying to find something that is somewhat comfortable.
But no matter what I do, I can't find anything that works for the agony I’m in.
I turned my car off and curl into a ball with the car locked.
The last slivers of light slip away, and the darkness washes over the land.
I close my eyes, forcing myself to try to rest. I need to get some sort of rest so I can get the hell out of here at first light.
I won't be safe until I can hide in another city.
Howls wake me. I blink, glancing around.
HaveI dreamed of Tobias howling for me? But no.
There are howls all from the forest. Why have I stopped near that?
It's not like I have much choice, but now I regret that decision.
The trees cast long shadows under the moon, hiding any number of threats looming just beyond my sight.
I gather my courage and get to my knees peeking over the rim of the car window.
I’m grateful I locked the doors. They come from the shadow, stalking out of the dark, only their golden eyes visible, multiplying one after the other.
There has to be at least twenty sets. I shudder.
The first steps into the light; they are forming a circle around my car even from this distance.
These aren't just wild dogs. They were giant wolves.
They aren't like Tobias; they are gaunt and half-starved, a glaze in their eyes as they get closer.
The car tips back and forth as their great bodies brush against it.
I back up toward the center of the seat.
What the fuck should I do? I wonder why they are circling my car, sniffing at my mirrors, at the hood, and the sides of the doors, especially the back seat.
Fuck. I swallow hard, remembering the conversation Theo and Tobias had around me.
The heat. That blasted condition that their bond has put me in, or maybe it is their marks?
In either case, I’m in serious fucking danger and I can't do anything in the state I’m in.
The car bounces, almost sending me flying to the front.
I scramble onto my hands and knees and peer up, coming face to face with a giant wolf on the other side of the glass.
He puts his paws on the hood, he hasn't even jumped up yet. They are everywhere, the car squeaking in protest as their heavy hides push against the metal. Sharp claws scrape against my door. Sure, it’s locked, but will it be able to withstand these guys if they get serious?
The wolf in the front jumps on the hood, and I’m sent tumbling to the front this time.
He stared into my eyes, grinning. He shifts in front of me, his bones rearranging as he cracks his neck and his fur gives away to skin.
I grab the tiny glass bottle that’s left from my drink.
It won't do much against these men, but I have no other choice.
His entire body is on display, and staring into my eyes he licks his lips and points to his cock.
I don't need to be able to hear him to know what he is saying.
Damn it. I can't believe I am wishing Tobias and Theo were here. I’ve been so stupid stopping in the middle of the road, just begging to be harassed.
He slips off the car, and there are cracks and pops all around the car.
The other men are shifting too, all staring at me with that same glazed light.
The car door jiggles, the first man trying to unlock it. One by one, all the locks are tried. One man shrugs, reaching down on the road and grabbing a large rock. He keeps that same maniacal grin as he launches it at the front windshield.
I scream, throwing my arms over my face and backing away into the backseat. The rock breaks through from the force of his throw and the glass scatters all over my front seat. One of them reaches in through the opening, pushing the unlock all button.
Shit. My heart hammers against my ribs, threatening to drown out every other sound around me. The door behind me opens. I spin, cracking the bottle over his head. Glass breaks leaving me a tiny bottle neck in my hand. It isn't much, but I jab it into his chest.
He grabs my wrist, squeezing and bending it backward until I’m forced to let go of my weapon.
He shakes his head at me as if I’m a small child.
He leans down, running his nose along my neck and shudders.
"You're going to have to pay for that one, sweetheart.
". His husky voice sends shivers up my spine.