Maybe

Chapter 62 Run fast

_Nina_

My head throbbed as I blinked awake, the world around me a blur. The first thing I registered was the hum of an engine and the muted vibration of a car in motion. My wrists ached, bound tightly, the rope digging into my skin.

It didn't take long to piece it together: I was in a car. I was kidnapped. And this déjà vu was so delightful, was not it?

I peeked around, keeping my movements small. The driver was focused on the road, unaware I was conscious. Perfect. My hands, tied in front of me, were wrapped snugly in the kind of knot that would make a sailor proud. But whoever this guy was, he clearly didn't realize yet.

I twisted my hands, wincing as the rope scraped my skin, leaving a raw burn. Every time the car hit a bump, I flinched, but I didn't stop. Slowly, the rope loosened, and I freed my hands with a muffled snap.

Game on.

An idea began to form in my mind as I noticed a fragment of the frayed rope hanging loose. It was crazy—likely foolish, certainly dangerous—but these were desperate times, are not they?

With the rope in hand, I leaned forward as silently as I could. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure the driver could hear it. I steadied my breathing, channeling every spy movie I'd ever seen.

And then, quick as lightning, I looped the rope around his neck from behind the seat and pulled.

"Get it, bitch!" I snarled through clenched teeth, yanking with all my strength.

The driver let out a garbled yell, his hands flying off the wheel to claw at the rope around his neck. The car swerved violently, throwing me against the seat as he struggled to regain control.

"Oh no," I shouted, leaning back to pull harder, bracing my feet against the seat for leverage. We barely avoided a truck that was approaching when the car swerved into the other lane, horns honking.

The guy gasped and spluttered, one hand managing to grip the wheel as the other tried to pry the rope free. I felt his panic, his body jerking wildly.

"Didn't expect this when you planned your little kidnapping gig, huh?" I taunted, even as my arms burned from the effort.

The car hit another bump, jolting both of us. The rope slipped slightly, and he managed to slam the brake, throwing me forward into the back of his seat.

Ow. Okay, maybe not my best idea.

But I wasn't done yet. I scrambled up, grabbing the rope again and twisting it tighter. His flailing hands slapped at me, but I ducked, shoving his head forward. With a bone-rattling thud, the car skidded off the road and into a ditch, turning and its tires screeching.

The driver was dazed, slumped against the wheel.

I unlocked the door and flung the door open, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I glanced back at him one last time before running into the night.

I ran as fast as I could, my breath ragged, my feet pounding against the uneven forest floor. The moonlight barely filtered through the dense trees, casting eerie shadows that seemed to shift with every step I took.

But to my dismay, he was fast—too fast.

No, no, run fast, Nina!

Behind me, I could hear his boots crunching leaves, becoming closer and louder. With panic rushing through my veins, my heart was in my throat. I forced myself to push through the trees, avoiding low-hanging branches.

Then I felt it—a hand swiping at my arm, just barely missing me.

My foot stuck on a root as I stumbled due to the uneven ground. The contact knocked the wind out of me as I fell hard. I didn't have time to fully process the pain that surged up my palms as they slapped against the ground.