The minute the woman stepped through the doorway, the lurker caught her by surprise. A punch in the face sent her flying across the room. He followed, lifted the gun and pointed it at the cowering woman now on her knees… begging. Whatever he said, the woman knew her pleas were in vain. She stiffened. Before Alicia could take a second breath, she saw a small flash of light.
The bullet struck the victim’s forehead, and the body flew backward in a sprawl against the couch. Only a small, dark hole in her head was visible. That tiny destructive stain symbolized the beautiful woman’s departed soul and it all took place in just a split second.
Now, Alicia screamed.
As if the thin screeching sounds, ringing with terror, reached across the compound to the other building, the gunman turned and looked directly at her. Like a living entity, her fear must have drawn him, called to him and his instinct attached itself to that wire-like thread.
Whatever the reason, his gun was now pointed in her direction. His evil grin of accomplishment subsided, and his eyes zeroed in on her. His expressions changed swiftly from anger to warning then ended in pure determination. He would come for her. She knew it like she knew she couldn’t stop him.
Dropping the binoculars, her heart pumping so hard she thought she’d faint, Alicia slid to the floor and cowered, squeaky whimpers escaping and ramping up her terror.
Hardly able to breathe, she dared another peek and saw the lights were now off across the way. It made her crawl to the wall where the switches for her place were located by the outside door.
“Oh my God, oh my God… help me.”Urges to run, get away, hide clamored in her brain. She wrenched open the door and then stopped dead. What about the babies? How could she leave them?
She needed to call 911. But what would Bud and Margo say? They’d be totally pissed if she brought the law to their place, considering the recreational drugs that Bud always hid around the apartment.
Suddenly, she remembered a lifeline, an FBI agent, Carolina Madison, who lived down the hall. If Alicia sought her help, she’d have to do something… wouldn’t she? A murder took place, she saw it. Carolina would have no choice but to believe Alicia after they found the body.
Not hesitating, though her knees gave out so she had to crawl the last few feet, Alicia banged on the door and begged, “Carolina Madison? Please help me. Oh God, help me.”