Theirs To Take

My feet were cut and bleeding, my hands scratched and I was no closer to having found a way off the huge property the brothers owned. I regretted not having eaten any of the breakfast now that I felt drained of energy and had to keep reminding myself of what I’d read in the paper, of what they had threatened to do to me in order to get my father to pay.

I could see the top of the house from where I stood near the gates, and part of me wanted to give up, go inside, go up to my room, have a hot bath and lay down. That was when I heard the unmistakable sound of the pickup truck’s approach. Adrenaline rushed through me and in a burst of energy, I ran closer to the gates but kept myself hidden as best as I could, crouching down around the three foot wall at the base of the impenetrable fencing, watching now as the tall gates slid open to admit the vehicle. Given the dust the truck rustled up, I was hoping I could hide in it and slip out before the gates closed fully. What I’d do once I was out, I didn’t know, but I had to do something.

Staying low, I waited, watching the truck approach, but when it came to a stop just inside the gates and both doors opened, my heart stopped. Gabriel climbed out of the driver’s side and Syn came around from the passenger’s side. I remained in my hiding place shielded by bushes to my front and the wall at my right, but something was wrong. Gabriel leaned against the front of the truck with his arms crossed at his chest.

Syn walked right toward me.

“Are you going to make me chase you?” he asked, his steps carrying him closer, his tone delivering a threat as sure as the sun beating down on my back.

I didn’t breathe. My heart pounded, a rushing sound in my ears. I rose, my gaze meeting his, and without hesitating — even knowing how fruitless my attempt to escape was — I turned and ran. I ran as if a wild animal chased me, the cuts on my feet opening again with every step, my breath ragged, the crunching of debris with each step loud in my ears. Endurance had never been my sport — I preferred a quiet yoga practice — and Syn was in so much better shape than I was physically. I knew he wasn’t close to his full speed, and heard his chuckle behind me even over the sound of the truck moving and the gates closing, sealing me inside. But he let me run, and I knew if he’d wanted to catch me, he would have by now.

I ran. I ran even knowing I had no chance. Every muscle ached, my feet stung and cramps had me clutching my side, but I kept running. I kept going until, finally, inevitably, I tripped over a stone and fell to my hands and knees. I didn’t even try to get up. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere.