Ending Link (Link Dane 2)

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-TWO

I dropped down from the window, slumping my head into the wall against it. Panic soared through me as my heart started thudding in my ears.

Panic. My eyes darted across the door. The panic button. I jumped up, nearly tripping over my own feet as I reached behind the toilet stool. And there it was.

I pressed on it. Several times. Harder each time.

"Come out little friend of mine. I want to meet your little puppet."

I jumped back at Benji's voice coming from the other side of the door. "I got told you put some stuff before the door. Clever little minx. Move them aside."

I glanced over at Joy and saw her staring at the door, hearing all of Benji's words. "Or," he drew out as I heard the sounds of his footsteps coming in closer. "I can shoot my way in, guns blazing." He threatened in a low voice, low enough so I could hear it.

I didn't even move an inch before a loud crack penetrated through the wall, the sound convulsing the floor, through my body. The foreign, ear-splitting sound of the gunshot sent my daughter into another screaming frenzy as I too let out a startled cry. My wide eyes fixated on the small hole the bullet had created.

"I don't see the door opening," Benji sang out before he shot again. I let out another scream as Joy covered her ears, hiding her head between her knees.

The sound rattled my bones.

Another hole appeared in the wall, this one closer towards the bath tub. "I can keep shooting until it hits something precious."

I raised a trembling hand and put it on the furniture. "Oriana." Benji continued to call out as though this was another typical fun day for him.

Another shot. This one going through the side of the bathtub. The shockwave was like a warm gust of air.

"I'm opening it!" I screeched back at him.

Just as fast as I pushed the furniture against the door, I cleared it all away, opening a path to get out. I opened the door and there he stood, a brittle smile on his face. His paper white hair was a stark contrast to his dark eyes and dark brows. He was wearing the same gloves with the fingers cut off as last time, although this time they were wrapped around a gun.

"Good evening, did you have a good day today?" He questioned.

"Benji, get out of this house." I replied, putting up a brave front. I erased my outward fear, holding it all in to end this charade.

He tutted, shaking his head at me. "Now, you can't kick out a friend. The disrespect."

I glanced at the gun. I kept my mouth shut, the sight of the gun just drowing me in fear I tried to mask. I wanted to look over my shoulder at Joy so bad but decided to draw attention to her was not the wisest move right now.

It was like he read my mind. "Introduce me to your little puppet."

I shook my head at him. "Please, no." I pleaded in a whisper.

Benji waved his hand at me. "Oh, don't be a pest. Joy! Come out. Or I'll come in."

I stretched my hand behind me, and Joy took the cue. I heard her come out the bathtub and then her cold fingers enterwined in mine. I slowly angled her so most of her body was covered behind mine, but there was enough for Benji to get a good look.

"Oh, doesn't she look like her dad, Link. I'm sure he was trilled when he saw her. Absolute beauty."

I pushed her further behind me just as Benji stretched out his empty hand. "I'm your uncle Benji," he introduced himself. "Has a nice ring to it right?" He said, his dark eyes trained on me. There was a lot of humour coming from him tonight but everything he was doing was downright scary.