The next morning, Lucy's eyes fluttered open, and it was still dark outside. She rolled over to check the clock—5:30. "Why am I awake?" she thought to herself. Even though she felt groggy, she dragged herself out of bed and headed into the kitchen to make some coffee. The warmth of the steaming mug in her hands was comforting, and the silence was soothing.
But then, she heard a creak as Tamara's door opened.
"L-Lucy!" Tamara screamed, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.
Lucy jumped, almost dropping her coffee. "What happened?" she asked, rushing over to the frightened girl.
Tamara's small hand grasped Lucy's with surprising strength, pulling her into the bedroom. She pointed toward the window, her whole body trembling.
"That's my dad! You have to get him to leave! Shoot him, shoot him!" Tamara's voice broke into sobs, and she shook as if she might collapse.
Lucy felt her own heart race, her voice unsteady. "Are you sure, hon? Are you absolutely sure it's him?"
"I'm sure!" Tamara cried. "Help me, he's gonna kill us!"
Lucy crouched down to Tamara's level, her hands resting firmly on the girl's shoulders. "Listen to me. I want you to take my phone and go into the bathroom. Lock the door, and no matter what happens, do not come out until I tell you to. When you're in there, call the contact in my phone named Tim. Tell him it's an emergency and that he needs to come to my apartment right now. Can you do that?"
Tamara nodded, her eyes wide with terror. Lucy forced herself to stay composed, even though fear clawed at her insides. She knew what this man was capable of, but she had to stay strong for Tamara.
After Lucy heard Tamara's muffled voice on the phone with Tim and the bathroom door lock clicked, she rushed to her safe. Her hands tremble as she grabbed her gun and headed back to Tamara's room to check the window. But when sheared outside, the man was nowhere to be seen her stomach twisted in knots, and a wave of panic began to rise within her.
Suddenly, allowed knock echo through the apartment, followed by a voice that made her blood run cold. " TAMARA, I KNOW YOURE IN THERE! YOU CANT HIDE FROM ME!"
Lucy's heart leapt into her throat. She recognized that voice tomorrow's father was just on the other side of the door. " LAPD! You need to leave now" she shouted, trying to sound as authoritative as possible.
"I'm not leaving without the girl!" The man's voice growled back.
" I'm not giving you the girl! Now leave!" She yelled she turned to walk the door, bracing herself.
Just a second later, the door splintered open with a giant kick, sending the wood charge flying into the air. " I said, give me the girl! Where is she?" Tomorrow's dead, his eyes wild.
"Tamara don't let him in! He's here! I'll be OK. Don't open up the door." Lucy began to bolt away. She was almost away when a hand grabbed her hair, yanking her backwards. She was thrown across the room by her hair, landing hard on the floor and pain exploded through her ribs she was kicked over and over and over again until she could not bear the pain anymore.
Her vision was blurry, but she forced herself to stay conscious. She had to reach Tamara. She heard the man walking around the apartment opening all the doors when he got to the bathroom she heard the door being kicked down and she heard Tamara's helpless scream.
" Lucy, please help me!" She heard her yell " oh my God, you've gotten fat" she heard Tamara's dad say. " Lucy help he's taking me!"
Just then Tim burst in into the apartment, his voice booming. " LA PD! PUT THE GIRL DOWN OR I WILL SHOOT YOU RIGHT I. YOUR HEAD!" "Calm down and let the girl go"Lucy hears Angela say. Lucy, teetering on the brain of unconsciousness, heard the unmistakable click of handcuffs relief washed over her, knowing that the man had finally been arrested. She heard Angela take Tamara out of the room so that she wouldn't see Lucy in that state. As everything went dark, she clung to the last thought that Tamara was safe.
Part 20 will be out tonight probably.
