SHIVER

Chapter 7 - A Near Death Experience

A/N: The music at the side goes so well with the theme of the chapter, so try reading it whilst listening to the music! (Also, I am completely obsessed with X-Men First Class at the minute, and Michael Fassbender has become my new favourite actor, haha) 

Natalie x

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"Eric," I croak. My throat has gone dry, and all the excitment leaves me as soon as I see those cold, dark eyes. He knows how much I hate him, and he revels in the fact.

He makes us stand in the corner of the room before he answers me, and the cold metal of the gun pushes me forward as he rest it on my back. Panic rises as I think he might pull the trigger, but I know he wont. If anything, he would shoot Charlie, but I'm not going to let that happen. I would rather take the bullet.

"Yes dear?" he replies after he has turned us back to face him so that we can see those cruel, cold eyes.. He likes to mock and taunt me at every point he can.

"Why?"

"Because sweetheart," he pauses. "You broke the deal," he says simply. I glare at him. Not this again.

"Eric I told you," I reply. A look of amusement crosses his face, making me angrier than I already am. I didn't think it was possible, but I am proved wrong. "No means no. I thought you of all people would understand." I risk a glance at Charlie. His face is white and I realise the gun is being pointed at him. I knew this would happen, so I slowly edge closer to Charlie, evidently moving closer to Eric. He doesn't notice thankfully.

"Eric," I say, exasperated. "Please, leave Charlie alone."

His eyes snap up to lock onto mine as soon as I have said it. "Why, is he your lover?" he demands. "Because if so, I swear to god, I will put a bullet through his head."

No you will not, I will jump in before you get a chance, I think. I look at him with pure hatred. He is jealous of every male in my life.

"He's not my lover, he is my new partner since Joleen quit!" I yell at him, panic bubbling inside me. "Eric please, why are you here? What do you want from me?"

"I'm here because I want you," he says calmly. I already knew this, but it's still a shock to the system. Why on earth would Eric want me?

I look at him, and realise what I have to do in order to save Charlie's life, get the money and get out of here. It makes my breath shake on the way out, and before I can change my mind I lunge at Eric, punching him in the jaw. He drops the gun in shock, and  he looses balance. I push him to make sure he falls, and I grab the gun and point it to his head. The fear is evident in his eyes. Never in his life has he seen me act in defiance against him,  and a part of me is proud of myself.

"Charlie," I say, my voice wobbling. "Run through the door, turn right, turn left, enter the door at the end of the corridor and take as much money as you can. Then run back here and I will take it from there." He looks at me in confusion, and I think it's because of what I told him in the car. He must have thought that I would have gotten the money. I would normally, but I need to have a word with Eric. I nod at Charlie to tell him to go.

Charlie obeys my orders as soon as they have nodded, so I crouch over Eric, the tip of the gun pressing firmly to his temple. I reach for the rope I know that he was going to use on me, so I attempt to tie his hands together behind his back only using one hand. I eventually manage, and as he tries to wriggle away I kick him firmly in the groin for good measure.

He yelps in pain. "Are you going to kill me?" he groans. He looks at me with a dark gleam in his eyes. He tries to hide the pain, but it still shows through.

"No," I reply. "I may be a theif but I'm no murderer. I'm not exactly like you, Eric."

He smirks at me, almost as if he doesn't believe me. At that moment is when I realise how much I want to pull that trigger, and it terrifies me. i don't have it in me, but if I did, I would. That single thought almost has me gagging on the floor.

"Got the money, it's time to leave now Emily," says Charlie, bursting into the room. I stand and  look at Eric, the gun still pointed at his head. Charlie looks at me with alarm in his eyes, like he thinks I will kill Eric. I look at him and shake my head. I then back slowly to the hole in the wall, never taking my eye off Eric.

"We all know you will be back to see me soon, Emily," Eric states. His eyes are filled with evil, and hatred rises within me. I never will stop hating this man.

"Goodbye Eric," I reply, throwing the gun in the corner farthest from him and I turn to run back to the car, the cold air stinging my face. it is welcome to me, and I enjoy the wind as it ruffles my hair. I feel free. Charlie turns to look back at me and I grin at him, and he smiles back. My heart races at the smile, and as we reach the car I laugh. Thank god I got out of there.

I knew I shouldn't have gone, but having Charlie there made me feel more excited, and I know that the next time he asks me to go with him, I would find it hard to say no.

I clamber into the car, scraping my hair from my face with my fingers and I gaze at Charlie. Our faces are inches from each other, and I look at his lips again. He gently places his fingers onto my chin and raises my head. I look into his light brown eyes and I nearly melt. 

"Well done back there, and thank you for saving my life," he says gently. 

"No problem," I whisper back.

He leans in, then pulls away, turning the ignition in the car and I sigh and smile at him.

Well done indeed.

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