Page 4 of Cold Silence
After her former boyfriend Travis had learned she jogged alone, he’d taught her skills to stay safe. To know the area. Know her exact location and listen for anyone approaching. Know her escape routes.
Travis.What would he tell her to do?
Her mind raced as her captor skirted around the pond.Good.Away from the gator now nearing shore. A moment of relief surged through her. He dragged her toward a parking lot. A van waiting.
This guy wasn’t going to kill her. He was abducting her.
No. No. Act. Do something.
Panic claimed her mind, leaving nothing but fog.
Do something. Think, Claire, think!
Drop your weight,Travis had said.Bring the attacker down and elbow his head.
Do it. Now!
She fell forward and jutted both elbows upward. He budged but very little and jerked her upright then continued moving. She dug her heels into the grass. Tried to slow him down. No good. Her efforts didn’t faze him.
He approached the deserted parking lot. The white cargo van. The side door open like a waiting prison cell.
No. Oh, no.
If he wrestled her into the van, she might never come out. But how did she stop him?
Travis had shared a last-ditch tactic with her. It would be painful and might knock her out, but she had nothing to lose.
Nothing!
She flopped as far forward as possible and with her remaining strength threw herself back, ramming her head into his face. Her skull connected with his jaw and her glasses flew from her face. Pain sliced through her head.
He grunted, but kept moving.
No.
She slammed him again. Saw stars. A black tinge colored the edges of her vision, already blurred without her glasses.
God, no. Please. Give me strength.
One more try. One more. She had to succeed. Her life depended on it.
She dipped forward and roared back. Her head connected hard. She stomped his foot and elbowed him at the same time. The perfect trifecta, making his arm slacken. With a burst of adrenaline, she spun free and bolted toward the road.
Without her glasses, the trees ahead swam before her eyes, but she dug deep and raced on. She couldn’t hear his footfalls behind her, but she sensed him chasing her. He was big with powerful, long legs and was likely gaining on her.
Look back. Check.
No. No. It will only slow you down.
Pain razored up her legs. Her lungs screamed for air. Her entire body begged to crumple onto the thickly matted grass. But she didn’t. She kept going.
Down an incline. Up the other side. Along another pond. Her foot sank into slimy wet muck. She catapulted to the ground.
His hand clamped her ankle like a vise.
She screamed and kicked free. She grabbed the thick grass to gain her footing. She righted herself and kicked out with every ounce of energy, connecting with his shoulder and leaving him prone. She charged up the incline.
“Help,” she screamed but stopped. Better to save her breath for running.
