Take a Breath(88)

Tony then starts running towards me and I will my jelly legs to move. I clamber deep into the trees and trip on a branch, which twists my ankle. I start to sob. This can’t be happening to me. He’s going to catch up with me now.

By pure adrenaline I force myself up and I limp on. I’m trying to gain as much pace as I can so I can hide somewhere. In the distance about some twenty yards, I see what looks to be a house. Maybe someone is in there.

I pick up the pace, gritting my teeth together to get through the throbbing pain in my ankle. My hands, arms and legs are bleeding still from the cuts on the thorns from the side of his house.

I get closer and closer to the little wooden chalet and all is quiet. I don’t know where Tony is and I’m not sure if that’s a comforting thought or not. I hide behind the tree and look around me. I still can’t see him. I hear nothing but the breeze through the trees and the occasional crow squawking way above my head.

I quickly run as fast as I can to the next tree and push my back up against it. With each tree I throw myself onto, the pain in my ankle is practically willing me to scream out.

I finally manage to get to the house, panting; the urge to be sick taking over more violently. I knock as silently on the door as possible.

Please let someone be in.

I wait a couple of seconds, but there is nothing. I try the handle and the door pushes forward. Dust and cobwebs, a sure sign it is unused.

I see a small living area with a little table in the middle and a couple of chairs. I close the door behind me and sneak around the house trying to see if I can find a phone, anything that can help me out of here. I get to one of the bedrooms, where I can’t believe my eyes as I spy a old fashioned, turn dial phone in the corner.

Please say it works. Please. I limp over to it and pick it up. It’s dead.

Oh God, so am I.

Tony stands in the doorway gun in hand. A face distorted into such evil, I have never seen before in my life.

“Ana, why the fuck did you run away? What are you trying to do? I thought you wanted me.”

He comes over and grabs my hair, squeezing and yanking at me. I yelp. He slams me on the bed and the dust puffs up making me choke.

“Bitch. I thought you were special, but you’re just like the others aren’t you, Ana? Just a bunch of fucking slut whores, all of you.”

I frantically shake my head as he straddles himself on top of me.

“No, Tony, please no. I was afraid. I’m not used to this. I can love you, I will love you. Please believe me.”

He rears his hand back and slaps me hard across the face. “Liar! You’re a fucking whore. I never should have trusted you.”

I’m trying to get over the sting on my face, as he places the gun on one of the bedside tables and puts his hands around my neck. Oh no, this is it. This is the day I die. I will never get to say goodbye to Jake. Oh sweet, Jake.

He clasps his hands tightly around my neck, and instinctively I grab at his hands to try and yank them off me. My legs begin to move in all directions as I’m choking.

I look into his eyes pleading, but he is way beyond any reasoning now. He wants me dead. His eyes are deep black pools of evil as he strains his grip tighter around my neck. I can feel my life flashing before my eyes as the gulping sounds leave my lips.

Finally my body gives into exhaustion as I start to go limp. My last sound is a loud commotion, screaming and shouting, and then my last thought comes across my mind, as I sink into nothingness.

I love you, Jake.





Chapter 27





I can hear noises, lots of different noises. I feel like I’m moving. Where am I, in heaven?

“Ana, listen to me. You have to breathe for me. Take a breath, just one breath. Please don’t let her die. Please.”

Jake? Jake is here, so I must be in heaven.

“We’re doing all we can to save her, sir. You have to let us work on her. I promise you she is in the best of hands.”

I slip back into a sleep. What on earth has happened? Am I dead?

I hear voices again.

“Mr Bennett, she is in a coma and maybe for some time so her body can heal from the major trauma it’s endured. We have checked her heart and lungs and all seem fine. She is stable. Please go home and get some rest. We will contact you if there is any change.”

“I’m not leaving her. I’m staying right here until she wakes up.”

Jake, my sweet Jake. Why can’t I wake up and talk to him? My mind is willing, but my body won’t let me. I feel shut down but my mind is racing. I want to wake up. Please wake up.

“Ana, yesterday when I told you that you spoke in your sleep, you told me that you loved me. I want to hear you say those words. Ana please. I love you, I always have. When I heard you say those words it was like hearing the most precious thing I have ever heard in my life. I want you to wake up for me so you can look me in the eyes and say it. Ana, please. I have never begged for anything in my life before, but I’m begging you now. Please wake up and tell me that you love me.”