Fractured

Chapter 68

 Chapter 68

I ran as fast as I could.  Through the trees and into the shadows that were growing bit by bit as the sun sank lower each minute.  My breath was labored - and I knew this was just like before.  A matter of life and death like it was when they attacked the house.  Only now, Francis wouldn't be here to save me.  And it wouldn't be me that dies if I don't get away the guy behind me; it would be Luke and his brother.  That's how I managed to pick my feet up more.  That's how I ran for what seemed like forever.  Though debating where to run most of the time, I know I couldn't run to the neighbors.  They were too far away and with the time it would take, they would both be dead.  Besides, at this point, could I really trust the cops to come and help?  Too risky.  That's why when I lost the guy, I couldn't bare leaving the area.  I needed to stay... and I needed to do this myself.  That was the only option for them to live.  I couldn't run and wait for help which might not even be on our side.

After a bit, and knowing I was now alone and that nobody saw me as I ran, I was hiding very still in the woods behind the house.  Like I said, I wasn't leaving.  So now, I was crouched low in the shadows.  I swallowed hard as I looked up at the house.  I could feel the chills run up my body, knowing that could be the final place both Luke and Francis could take their last breaths.  I needed to change that, so desperately and urgently too; I could feel my nerves on edge. 

Before I could move though, I knew... that no matter what happened, this would be someone's last night on Earth.  If it got bad, I would kill Clare with no hesitation.  There was a huge chance she would first kill Luke or Francis, me too despite my efforts I soon needed to act upon.  It made me shake my head and take a deep breath.  I needed to do this.  And it started with the stare I bore around every inch of the property.  Eyes scanning over the yard and into the trees around the house, I saw no sign of that guy, Reid.  My guess was that he was out here in the woods somewhere, looking for me still.  I could thank the sinking sun that it would become harder and harder for him to look.  Especially when I didn't plan on staying here in the woods.  I needed to get up to the house.

Though I was worried walking up into the back yard would reveal me (since I'm in an open space) I know I needed to.  After all, I wanted to get to the back sliding door - which was shot in from the destruction caused over a week ago. Clare wouldn't hear me come in that way.  I could do it... but how would I do it?  How could I stop or kill her?  I didn't have a gun, and knowing she did, I wanted to make sure this would be more than my fighting skills against a gun.  I needed something that could end her if it got to that.  And I knew the only option was in that pit we dug.

Biting my lip, I took a deep breath.  There was no time to think too much.  I just needed to be a little organized and get in there.  She could kill them at any moment, if she hadn't already.  I needed to get in there... now.  I kept saying that to myself and after scanning the yard multiple more times, I quietly stepped out of the tree line.  But slow and sneaky was not the way to do this.  I needed to get from here to the house fast before Reid comes back or one of those other guys that helped Luke in the house.

So, the step out in the open was done in speed.  As were the following steps when I started to sprint towards the pit.  My boots pressing to the grass, I ran fast up and over to the edge of the pit.  I didn't slow down or stop.  I just jumped in quickly, trying to get out of sight by staying low.  I slid to my side when I jumped in and stayed that way; if I stood up or knelt enough, my head would be visible if someone was in sight.  So... I needed to be quiet and stay low as I froze my body in place in the dirt under me.  The same dirt that held Emily's body all these years... crumpled and just bones in hard plastic.... Christ, I couldn't think about her right now.  Even as my eyes slowly, almost automatically found her close.  On my side and staying low as my eyes acted and looked for that shovel, those eyes of course found my dead little sister.