Page 104 of My Killer Blind Date

I shoot back up, looking for a brief moment between Liam and the open door.

‘I’ll be back,’ I gasp, and dash out. I burst into the next room.

There, lying on a mat on the floor hands and feet bound, is Brooke Walsh, face wet, eyes wide and red, her blond hair greasy. She looks like shit. But she’s alive.

‘Brooke!’ I run to her. Tears are streaming down her face. ‘Don’t worry! I’m here to save you.’ Brooke makes a terrified whimpering. I make shushing sounds to calm her while I try to open my knife.

Then I feel it. A presence behind me. I go still.

For a second, I just breathe, waiting. Prepare myself to face Devin. Then, an oh-so-familiar voice that I never thought I’d hear again speaks.

‘Babe.’

Chapter Thirty-six

It can’t be. I’m frozen where I stand. I can see in my mind’s eye the sly smirk, the hooded eyes. I force my feet to pivot. I think I gasp. But it’s more like all the oxygen leaves my body.

‘Zoe! Oh my God, you’re alive!’ Everything collides in my chest. Too many emotions to feel. ‘I’ve been looking for you for so long! I can’t believe—’ No, now’s not the time for feelings— ‘We – we have to get out of here! You – and Brooke – and Liam. Now!’

Her dark hair is a lank waterfall around her face. Her huge eyes, once bright, are now surrounded by dark circles. She’s dressed in a ribbed tank top that shows how bony she’s gotten. Paint splatters her arms – and she’s leaning on crutches. The bottom of her leg is wrapped in a stained bandage. There’s a stench of rotting flesh. Devin. He mutilated her. Did he do this to all his victims so they couldn’t run away?

‘Zoe? We have to go!’ I repeat.

For a minute, she just stares at me.

Of course. She’s traumatized – probably in shock—

‘That’s what you think is happening?’ she finally says, her voice raspy, confused. Like someone who’s been in isolation for far too long.

‘Yes! You need medical help!’ My eyes fill with tears. ‘Your foot – I’m so sorry—’ I reach out my arm to touch her, but she holds up a crutch to keep me at a distance.

I fold my hands together as if in prayer, because I need her to listen to me, to start moving.

‘We have to get out of here before Devin comes back. Zoe – I know you’ve been trapped here for so long, but it’s over, you’re going to be free again—’

Her head drops, and there’s a hoarse coughing sound. When she lifts her face, I realize she’s laughing.

‘I’m not a prisoner here, Margot.’

What the …

‘OK,’ I say slowly, carefully, even as I realize what’s going on. Stockholm Syndrome. ‘Sure. But Devin won’t mind if we get you to a doctor. Your foot … you need help. Then we can come back.’

Her expression twists. I think it’s a smile. ‘You can’t be this stupid.’

I stare back, because my brain has stopped functioning.

Finally, she says, ‘Don’t play dumb. You’ve been on to me for months, roomie.’

I just shake my head, because I have no idea what’s happening.

‘You were so obsessed with Kayleigh and Crystal.’

I blink, still not following.

‘You couldn’t shut up about them! I knew you suspected me. Did you hire Liam? The PI who tried to nab me? I realized who he was just in time to avoid walking into that date like a prime idiot—’ She glances toward the door. ‘He’s not long for this world, though.’

‘No!’ I gasp. ‘Zoe, what are you saying? I’d never – Liam was just trying to—’