I unclasp the buckle and dive out of the open car for the forest.
It’s only seconds later that I hear him chase after me.
“Nicole!” he shouts, and the sound of his shoes crunch against the gravel.
I skid down into the ditch, doing my best to keep my footing, but it’s steeper than originally intended.
I lose my footing and trip over my feet, rolling, tumbling, and falling several feet until I slam into something rough and sharp.
My head throbs, my stomach aches, and I’m seeing double.
I push myself up to stand, but Dante is on me before I can get up.
“You’re not going anywhere without me,” he says and scoops me up into his arms.
I want to fight him and scream.
My pleas are soft, tiny, and practically non-existent.
Can he hear me begging for help?
I mumble incoherently as he carries me back to his car and sits me down in the passenger seat.
Dante emits a heavy sigh. “You can’t make this easy, can you?” he asks.
I don’t know what he’s talking about.
My vision swims.
He’s opening the glove box and yanks my arms behind my back. I feel the icy cold metal of handcuffs dig into my flesh.
“You’re wearing these until you can be trusted,” Dante says.
He slams the car door shut.
There’s no way to escape. I am at his mercy.