He took a step towards her and that one little movement was enough to start up her frozen limbs. She jumped from the floor and turned to the glass ranch slider behind her.
“You’ve got nowhere to run, Lucy!”
She spun back, knowing he was right. If she made a go for the door, he’d throw that knife at her. If she tried to run past him, he’d snaffle her up and she knew as soon as he had her within reach it was over.
So that left only one option.
She turned back to the glass, ducking low as the knife sailed towards her. It skimmed her arm leaving a burning sting before hurtling into the ranch slider. The glass splintered with a loud crack and Lucy took her chance. Lifting her arms over her head, she ran straight for the door, ploughing through the transparent wall. Glass shattered around her, raining across the balcony. She felt the splinters dig into her skin, but was too fueled to stop and notice them. Scrambling up, she slung her leg over the balcony and let go.
“No!” The man hollered, sounding horrified that she would take the plunge without thinking.
Her body fell swiftly. She landed on the lid of the dumpster and cried out in pain. The jarring shock radiated through her body as she rolled off and landed on the concrete. She was feeling every kind of pain, but didn’t have time to stop and analyze it. Glancing down at her leg, she saw a shard of glass protruding from her left calf muscle, it wasn’t huge, but it would slow her down.
The bulky killer snickered from the balcony above before turning back into the house. He was coming for her and if he caught her she was going to be introduced to a whole new level of suffering. She had pissed him off. The delight he would take in hurting her was enough to make bile shoot into her mouth.
She held it back, shaking her head to ward off the dizziness.
Sucking in a quick breath, she tugged the glass from her leg and threw it aside. With a hiss, she forced her aching body to the fence, scrambling up it just as the killer came down the driveway. His knife spun towards her, nicking the side of her hand. She bit back her curse, holding the hand to her side as she pushed through the neighbor’s backyard. Jumping over a toy slide, she raced past the trashcans, pulling them over in her wake. Any small advantage she could get, right?
Her feet hit the street and she dashed across it, fueled by the pounding steps behind her. She knew it wouldn’t be long until he caught up with her.
She didn’t turn to see him as she crossed the street. Brakes squealed and cars swerved as she raced blindly through the traffic, knocking her hip on someone’s wing mirror.
“Hey! Watch it, kid!”
Her eyes darted back to see if the killer was just behind her. He jumped over a car bonnet and slid down the other side. He was agile for such a big man. Fear skirted through her, making her arms pump that much faster as she took the next corner, weaving her way through the streets and down into the busy section of town. The moment she reached Chinatown the crowds multiplied. Just what she needed. She slowed her pace, weaving past the fruit stalls and ducking behind vehicles. She was suddenly aware of her bloody hands and raggedy appearance, plus she was limping slightly. Ducking her head, she lifted her hoodie over her hair and tried to keep her pace steady and fluid, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She shoved her bloody hands into her pockets and risked a glance behind her. The tall man’s white blond hair stuck out amongst the crowd as he shoved his way through.
“Get out of my way,” he barked.
Lucy sniffed in a breath and crouched behind a group of ladies who were debating with a seller in a fast, punchy language she assumed was Chinese. The killer glided past her and as soon as his head turned the other way, she crept backwards. Staying low, she walked with bent knees until she reached a crowded shop entrance. She quietly squeezed through and pressed herself against the wall, watching through the glass door.
No one seemed to notice her, they were all too busy talking to each other over bowls of divine smelling soup. The tinge of spices and curry wafted up her nostrils, making her stomach cramp. She pushed her fist into her abdomen, begging it not to make a sound.
She spotted a wave of blond hair and her stomach shrunk back into a tight knot.
The tall man’s head swiveled over the crowd as he hunted her down. She stayed still not daring to breathe as his eyes skimmed the store entrance. The virulent fury in his expression was enough to melt her innards, but she managed to keep her legs upright. It was the longest five minutes the world had ever known as he scrutinized the crowd around him, but eventually he let out a string of curses and roughly shoved his way forward.
As soon as he was gone, she ducked back into the traffic and carefully worked her way in the opposite direction. She needed a place to hide and regather herself. Somewhere safe where no one would find her.