The Beast of Napa

28 - Rescue

Catriona could feel down in her toes that something was wrong.

Her heart was pounding by the time she reached the estates, not only from just running most of the way there, but also from the fear strangling her chest as she ran.

It was past sundown.

Her feet were burning, but it didn't matter. She would have run barefoot if she had to.

When she reached the gates, there was a shadow on the estates that she had never seen before. The gate was ajar, half slanted towards the ground as it creaked back and forth in the wind. Shattered glass littered the driveway, leading all the way up to the house. The gardens had been ripped apart, dirt and grass now littered with glass.

There were screams in the distance, car tires squealing in the distance as she jumped around the shattered glass to get to the broken front door.

Catriona flew up the stairs, ignoring the sporadic pops and clunks around her. She called Griffin's name, but there was no answer besides the silence.

Pop. Pop. Pop pop.

Was that... gunfire?

She flew down to the hall, calling frantically for him. The door to the parlor flew open, and her heart stopped. But it wasn't him.

Mrs Greene grabbed Catriona's arm, pulling her into the parlor and pushing her down against the desk. The pops continued, making small scraping sounds against the side of the house.

"Child!" Mrs Greene scolded, even though her touch around Catriona's face was gentle. "Why did you come back now, dear? I"m afraid this isn't the most opportune time."

"Are you all alright? Where's Mr Griffin?"

"I haven't had the chance to search for him, but I'm sure he's fine. The man could take six bullets and still manage to lecture someone about the price of wine labels."

The glass shattered behind them. Mrs Greene swore in new colors as she covered Catriona's head and ducked her further under the desk.

"I hope you don't find me rude, dear," Mrs Greene said, "but I need to take care of these house pests real quick."

With that, Mrs Greene stood and opened the closet of the parlor, taking a shotgun from the door. She cocked it before going to the window and putting the barrel through the shattered glass.

"I hate rodents," Catriona heard Mrs Greene say, right before pulling the trigger.

Catriona ducked as the sound vibrated through the room. Not asking any further questions, she went back down the stairs, ignoring the staff running from one end of the hall to the other. When she ran to the family room, she peered out the window, seeing two broad shoulders stand tall on the side of the house.

She flew out the door to meet him.

"Nathaniel!" she yelled, only five feet from him.

He turned, his eyes adjusting at her when he saw her. "Catriona? What are you doing here? Get back inside!"

Tires squealed up the driveway in front of them. A man hung out the window, pointing something out of it, and Catriona grabbed Griffin by the arm to yank him inside. Fire burst from the car window, and Catriona got Griffin out the way just as the fire landed against the wall in a burst. The wall - made of stone - cracked and blew dust, but it still held.

Catriona pulled Griffin inside, bringing him to his knees behind an overturned table.

He looked at her, breathless and wildly confused.