“For fuck’s sake, Owen. I said…” The words froze on her lips. It was not Owen, but the man who had shot at her at the cemetery. He pushed in and closed the door. At close range he looked in his mid-forties—dark hair cropped short framed a scary angular face. His dark eyes were fixed on Anouk. She swallowed hard and staggered back. If looks could kill…
“Good afternoon, my lady.” The man showed a smile that was far from warm and sincere. “I assume it was Owen who so kindly gave me the key?”
This was Nat’s friend. What was his name… Stalo.
“What did you do to Owen?”
“Nothing. He is on his way wherever he is going. I spared his life because he gave me this.” Stalo waved her house key in his hand.
An icy shiver ran down her spine and her hackles were up. Owen was safe but Stalo sounded serious. Was he pissed off because she told Nat to sack the game master? Was Stalo the game master?
“I told him I needed to get in. I am a cable man.” Stalo chuckled, spreading his hands wide as if giving Anouk a better look at his costume.
He wore an indigo-blue overall and, on his right hand, a similar glove to Nat. He was a perfect twin to The Cable Guy, Owen’s favourite movie. Was Owen in this ill-conceived jape as well? He had provided the key, but he had never shown any interest in LARP or any of Anouk’s other geeky hobbies. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything this low to get back at her, would he?
“How dare you barge into my flat.” Anouk tried to sound assertive but failed as her fear became apparent. “Leave now or I’m calling the police.”
Stalo lowered his chin and bared his teeth before he chuckled again. Anouk’s mind short-circuited and her whole being started to shake. She clasped her hands together to stop them whisking—it didn’t work. She let them fall on her side and lifted her chin, gritting her teeth.
“I mean it.”
“You will do no such thing.” Stalo took a step towards Anouk, forcing her to back away. “You have beautiful eyes. Such an unusual colour.”
“What do you want?”
“Hmm. I want many things, but from you, I want an utter and eternal silence that you ever laid eyes on me. I am the cable man and I came to cut the cable of your life.”
Anouk would have laughed at the corny analogy if her heart rate wasn’t shooting up, a scream sticking in her throat, and her skin tingling from terror. Nat’s and Stalo’s LARPing was getting out of hand. Did they fear she might go to the police about the grave stunt? Or was this some sick plan to scare the shit out of her so she would stay silent? If it was, they were doing a bloody convincing job.
Stalo continued, narrowing his eyes, “Sorry, my dear, talking with that bounty hunter signed your death warrant.”
Anouk spun on her heels and sprinted to her bedroom. She seized her phone, but Stalo knocked it away and grabbed her by the throat.
“That was not wise,” Stalo hissed as he tightened his hold.
Anouk struggled to breathe. Her mind raced, trying to find a way to free herself. She kicked, aiming at Stalo’s groin, but he saw it coming and blocked. He jumped behind Anouk’s back, keeping the choke hold tight around her neck.
“Oh, you are feisty. I like that in a woman,” Stalo said next to Anouk’s ear, his breath hot. “We could have a bit of fun. Would you like that?”
Anouk tried to scream, clawing his hand and kicking him with her heels.
“I think you would.” Stalo nipped Anouk’s ear. “But, alas, I do not have the time. The bounty hunter is on my tail, I am afraid, so I have to kill you now.”
Chapter 3
Anouk screamed—it came out strained, hurting her throat even more as it pushed through her closing windpipe. She clawed at Stalo’s iron grip around her neck to get air that was becoming scarcer. Small stars appeared at the edge of her vision.
“The more you fight, the more I enjoy this,” Stalo whispered, his breath hot in her ear.
“You sick bastard,” she gasped.
“Yes, talk dirty. I like that.” Stalo’s voice was thick and hoarse.
That sick sadist was getting aroused!
They both froze for an instant as a loud thud came from the front of the house, followed by the door slamming against the wall with a loud bang. Someone else was in the house. Stalo’s attention faltered for a second and Anouk jumped at her chance. She jammed her elbow into his stomach, aiming for the solar plexus. Weak though the blow was, it served its purpose. Stalo gasped and his grip on Anouk slackened. She pulled free and charged out of the bedroom.
“He…” The call for help died in her lips.
Nat stood in the hall with gun in hand.
Oh shit! Anouk dove into the kitchen. She darted to the drawer and fumbled for a knife. Drawing one out, she looked at the blade. The lights reflected from it, highlighting the sharpness of its cutting edge. No, it was not enough. She needed her katana that hung on the wall in the living room. She knew how to use the weapon, albeit never before in a real-life situation, or indeed against another human. Not that she was going to cut Nat’s and Stalo’s heads off, but maybe seeing her armed would compel these two idiots to have second thoughts and fuck off.
A gunshot thundered from the hall. Anouk dropped flat, tightening the hold around her knife as her heart hammered against her ribcage. Abandoning the idea of snatching the sword, she opted to get the hell out of her apartment. But how? These two raving-mad LARPists were continuing their sick game in the hall, blocking her only exit route.
Another, more muffled gunshot was followed by a grunt of pain. A sudden flash of bright
