Page 16 of One Forbidden Moment

Chapter 7

Moe

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By closing time, thetension in Moe's body intensified until he believed he was losing his mind.He needed to get out of here.He needed space and quiet.But Jillian filled up every corner of his life.

He couldn't leave her alone.Not in Everstill.Not with the men watching her like she was a miracle.Or a threat.Or both.

So, he took her for a ride.

And like when he kidnapped her, he put her in front of him on the seat.She gripped the metal bar like it was the only thing keeping her alive.She asked where they were going, but he turned on the engine, drowning out everything except the pounding in his head.

The few roads within Everstill were like a track, winding him through town, on the back road, past the houses, around the field, staying close to the trees, and back up through Main Street.He'd ridden the same loop enough times over the years that he could do it with his eyes closed, knowing when to lean and when to slow.

Those he passed paid him no attention.They were used to him riding.

At one time, he and Finn used to ride together.It was always more relaxing when he could time his rides with someone else.It was something he enjoyed before living in Everstill, but he couldn't remember the details.

He rode until the sun dipped low and dusk crept across the sky, shadowing the town.Only then did he slow, guiding the bike down the main street.The air was still.Too still.Finn used to comment all the time that Everstill always felt as if it were holding its breath.

He stopped in the middle of the road and killed the engine.Jillian tensed immediately, her shoulders rising toward her ears.

"Get off," he said.

She slid off the bike.Moe followed her, scanning the street and the sides of the road.He knew where the barrier was.Even if he couldn't see it, the air pressure thickened and caused a faint hum under his skin.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward.

She stumbled after him, confusion flickering across her face."What are you doing?"

"Testing something."

He stopped at the invisible line, the place where the world ended, and Everstill began.He tightened his grip on her wrist."Reach out."

She stared at him, wide-eyed."What?"

"Your hand," he said, voice low."Reach out."

She didn't move.

He leaned closer, his tone sharpening."Do it."

Her breath hitched.Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her arm.Her hand smacked into a solid invisible wall.

She gasped and jerked back, but Moe held her steady.Her fingers pressed against the unyielding barrier she couldn't see.The barrier that pushed back.

He let go of her wrist."Now you know.You can't escape."

She frowned.He moved away from her.She needed to believe there was no way out.Just like he believed for the longest time.The same way the others believed, even now that they'd watched him come back with Jillian and Finn leave with Kallie.

Jillian stepped forward again, both hands out now, patting the air like she was searching for a door.Panic crept into her movements, sharp and frantic.She slid her palms along the invisible wall, her breath coming faster, her eyes darting left and right.