My hands shake so badly as I reach to grab the stick and the rock, that I wack them hard against the wooden base of the bed beside me. It takes a second before the pain spreads through my hands. Ignoring the lack of oxygen my brain is getting, I scramble to get the key from the loose floorboards as I am sure that once I leave this room, there is no going back to it.
It is happening. It is happening right now.
I look at the clock on my bedside table, the time reads 8:05. The letter did say that she was going to be here at 8:00 pm sharp. Something else clicks in my head.
The clock hung in the barn! It is stuck on 8:00. Must have been for a reason.
All I can do now is run. And there is only one other place I can think of to go. To the barn. I do not know why, but something inside my head tells me that that is where I need to go.
I run from the room to the doors, stopping a few times along the way to catch my breath. My chest feels as if it has been carved into with a knife like I have an anchor attached to my foot and I am sinking to the seafloor.
While Emmett and I were attempting to solve clues, Arietta was working behind our backs, sneaking her way into my life. While she played vulnerably, we cared for her and she plunged the knife deeper into my back, whispering lies to lead us astray.
The sounds of crickets become a constant whir in my ears once I reach outside. I find myself watching the village for as little as a peep. To my dismay, it is completely abandoned.
Somehow, I end up at the barn. I reach for the gate, push it open, and then knock with all my strength on the door. It opens instantly.
"Thank God." Laurie grabs my arm with strong hands and pulls me inside before I can think, do, or say anything else. Surprising that I feel any emotion right now other than terror because right now I am the littlest bit confused. Laurie pulls me in for a tight hug, and then he lets go, turning behind him to Midnight, who is saddled up.
I am still puffing badly to be able to talk, but now that I am inside with some light, I get a better view of Laurie.
His lip is cut and a line of blood drips down to his chin, a red turning to purple bruise outlines his right eye up to the eyebrow and below his cheekbone is a large nasty scrape, revealing raw flesh beneath. He pulls my hand forward to the horse.
"Get on with me right now," he says while jumping up onto the saddle and holding out a hand, taking the reins in the other, "I promise I will explain everything on the way." I do not think, I just do. I take his hand in mine, put my foot into the stirrup and hoist myself up behind him. As soon as I get on, Laurie shouts, digging his heel into Midnight's side. We take off.
"Hold on!" Laurie's voice is deep but smooth against the force. And I do, wrapping my arms around his stomach. Wincing, I lurch backwards as Midnight charges forward, up around the side of the barn and down the slope. I cling on as tightly as I can through the momentum of being pulled to the side. I finally find my breath.
"She has got Sebastian!" I yell against the harshness of the wind, not bothering to use his false name. I force a cry down, even though it feels like it could burst out any second.
"I know!" Laurie yells back at me. "I am taking you to the ruins, that is where she has taken him!" My cheeks feel damp, realising my eyes are leaking tears. From the wind or terror, I do not know, probably both. I grit my teeth as we continue to race forward, the trees that pass us are a blur.
He needs to live. I need to get to him.
"You have been attacked! Are you okay!?"
"I am fine, she came by earlier with him, and beat me up before leaving with one of the horses!"
YOU ARE READING
Violet
Romance~ I wish I could capture this moment forever. The yellow glow of the fire behind me penetrates and shines through the water and onto Emmett's face. I can see all his features, as every curve and line of his face, and every eyelash is highlighted...
