I aimed for the alleyway. Ruby stuck to my side like glue. She was quiet, as if she knew we were heading into danger. I found the door, but it was locked with a padlock. Damn. The tension was so high I could hear the pulse in my temples.
I scanned the brick wall, looking for another entrance. There was nothing that I could see. We headed over to the industrial bin and checked behind it. Bingo! A broken window that’d been boarded over. Using my pocket knife, I jimmied it open, cringing when it clattered to the ground.
I switched on the torch app on my phone and shone it through the opening. The window belonged to a small, empty storeroom. It looked all clear. I backed out, putting my phone away, and held out my arms to Ruby. I released a squeak when she bypassed me and jumped straight through the window, waiting quietly inside for me to follow. I leaned down to give her a pat after dropping through after her. What a dog. She was incredible. I loved her to bits. If she got hurt in any way tonight, I’d never forgive myself.
I pulled out my phone again, and inspected the inside of the larger room. It was one big empty room with brick pillars staggered throughout. Shining the light towards the door, I saw a track worn into the dirt covered floor. We followed it to a staircase leading underground. As we descended, goose bumps pricked the skin of my arms and neck. I felt as though we were descending into the belly of the beast.
Isn’t that exactly what we’re doing?
Quietly, we moved through a dank tunnel lined with brick. It ended in a wooden panel. I couldn’t see a handle anywhere. I started to fret, smoothing my hands over the surface to feel for a groove, a button, anything. It was one solid piece of wood.
Dropping my hands, I chewed on the flesh of my cheek and closed my eyes. The vision of the room came back to me, and I saw the wall of book shelves. My pulse jumped, my muscles tightened as I heaved all my weight onto the smooth surface. It budged easily, as if it was used to it.
Slipping into the basement was like slipping into my vision in 3D. I raced to the table, whipping out the pocketknife, and got to work on the ropes.
“Felicity,” I whispered, feeling for a pulse in her wrist. Its thready beat put me further on edge, and I sawed harder at the rope. Ruby stood guard in the doorway, ears straight up on alert.
Felicity was unconscious. I’d have to carry her out of here. She’d wasted away to almost nothing. I wasn’t worried about getting her up the stairs, it was getting her through the window that’d be a problem. Maybe we could find another exit.
The last rope gave way as Ruby began a vicious growl. I spun away from the table, holding out the knife towards the staircase that led into the house as a pair of black slacks came into view. Adrenaline rushed into my system. Here we go. I commanded my hand to grip the knife harder. If I lost that, I was fucked.
“Ronnie. Imagine my surprise when I saw you on the security monitor, ruining all our good work.” Lindstrom rounded the table, stopping before he got too close to the dog.
He watched me with interest, as I backed up towards Ruby, putting myself in front of her.
“You value the dog’s life more than your own? And you’ve come to save a woman who despises you. With a dog as a companion, and a pocketknife. I thought you were a smart woman, Ronnie.” He pronounced each word with chilling precision.
My shoulders jerked when he slapped Felicity across the face. A moan escaped as her head snapped to the side.
“I was annoyed that Felicity wouldn’t bring you to me. And then Matthew informed me that I couldn’t use him as bait. I couldn’t begin to tell you how furious that made me. Stupid boy. It made you all the more attractive, of course. The grand prize.”
He casually placed his hands in his pockets, inspecting the frayed ropes now tangled on the concrete floor, tutting as he kicked one pile.
“Never mind. We have plenty more.” He inclined his head towards the shelves and I followed his gaze.
Stupid move. He lunged for me, wrapping his firm grip around my wrists so I’d drop the knife, and kicked Ruby aside when she went for him. She hit the wall with a sickening thud, and slumped to the floor. I let out a scream of agony. She was all I had left. I fought against him as he pulled me closer, watching Ruby for a sign of life. She didn’t move an inch. My blood boiled, I turned manic eyes on him as the adrenaline surged higher in my system. With every ounce of anger and hatred I felt for this beast, I threw my head forward, smashing my skull into his forehead. His hands slipped off as he staggered back.
I heard shuffling steps behind me, and spun around to find Felicity’s father entering the room. I shook off the knock to the head and charged at him in offensive mode. His eyes grew wide, and his jaw dropped, caught off guard. At least he had the sense to look scared. That was his daughter, unconscious on a fucking table, and he was doing nothing to save her. Baring my teeth, I jumped and twisted, kicking my leg to the side, aiming directly for his weak spot. His legs. My foot connected with a
