Blind Date(65)

My heart feels like it's come to a complete stop. He's going to try and use Taylor to break me, to finish his sick little game. My skin prickles and vomit rises in my throat. It makes perfect sense. He wasn't getting what he wanted out of using Raymond, because we figured it out, so now he's going for the only other person who truly matters to me-my best friend. I have to think. I can't break. Not now. But I can't let him hurt my friend, either. Dammit. My mind spins as I try to figure out a way we can get out of this.

But I will find a way. I need to pull on my big girl panties, push my fear aside, and get through this. I will get through this. No matter what. Taylor was my rock when Raymond died, she was there for me during my weakest moments, now it's my turn to give that back to her.

"Hartley," she croaks. "Do you think he's going to hurt me?"

"No," I say, my voice stern. "No. I won't allow that to happen. I'll figure something out, Taylor. I will."

"I don't want to die," she says as a tear slides down her cheek.

I shuffle closer to her, reaching out as best I can so one of my fingers skims hers. "I won't let that happen. I will get us out of this. I don't know how I'll do that, but I will. Whoever this sicko is, he won't win, Tay. I promise."

"He's clever. Everything he has done has been precise. He has gotten not just one, but two of us away from a police watch."

I'm terrified, right down to my bones, because I know she's right, but I don't let that show. I'm in this situation now. I can either retreat into myself like I used to when the pain of Ray's death was too much to bear, or I can face whatever is going to meet us at the other end and fight. Regardless, I know I'm not getting out of this unscathed, so I'd rather go down fighting.

"I know, believe me I know, but everyone has a weakness, Taylor. Even him. I'll find it."

"What if you don't get the chance? What if he just takes us out there and kills us and-"

"Listen to me," I say, my voice steady. "He isn't going to do that. This entire thing, it's a game to him. A massive game. He won't just end it without achieving what he wants."

She nods, biting her lower lip. I know how she feels inside right now. I've been feeling the same fear for the past month. It's a deep-lodged fear that you can't make rational sense of, no matter how hard you try. Taylor is terrified, but she's feeling just the beginning of that terror. I've lived with it for long enough that I'm a lot more focused.


      ///
       
         
       
        

He thought he could break me and wear me down. He did the opposite.

Because I won't go down without a fight.

* * *

The man, who I have decided to call Black, original I know, takes us to an old, run-down house in the middle of nowhere. Thick trees surround us, seeming to go on for miles and miles, with a house perched in the middle of a small clearing. In its day, I imagine it was grand. Three stories high, old white paint peeling from the thick wood rafters. A big wraparound deck that was once beautiful but now just looks unkempt and makes the entire house look creepy.

Taylor and I have been ordered out of the van, and are standing with our backs to it, the gun pointed towards us, as we watch Black, who has still not revealed himself. I want to see his face. I want to know what kind of person is so sick and twisted in the mind that they can do something like this.

I stand as close to Taylor as possible, not wanting to leave her side for a single second. I don't know what's awaiting us in there, but I know that I'm not going to let him hurt her. He's going to try and use her, and I have to figure out a way to stop that from happening.

It's become his mission to break me.

How can I stop him from doing that, while keeping Taylor safe at the same time?

If I act as if I don't care, he's going to go to extremes to prove I do. He's not stupid and he'll know it's an act. If I give him the reaction he wants  …  will that be enough to stop him? Can I act? Can I make him truly believe I'm weak-willed and broken, just to get him to stay away from my best friend? And if I do, will he hurt her even when she's no longer of use to him?

My heart pounds.

My mind spins.

I don't know what I should do. All I know is I have to do something. Taking a deep breath, I make a choice. I'm not entirely sure it's the right one, but at this point I can only hope that it'll take the attention off Taylor and keep me safe. I stare at Black, and in my best shaky voice I say, "I don't know who you are, but please don't hurt my friend."

I sound weak.

Pathetic even.