"You love me... you love me..."
Her vision faded to white.
Was this it?
Was it really ending for her, yet again?
She thought of dropping into that lake with her hands tied behind her back, the moonlight through the rippling surface of the lake...
At least back then, she was with Rosie.
She pretended she was back there now. With Rosie at her side. But she didn’t think of the lake, not anymore. She imagined them at the beach, or in the pool, when they were kids. Reaching for each other’s hands. Blowing bubbles…
I love you, Rosie,Nicky thought.I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.
The last thing she heard was the man’s horrible voice, whispering, "And I love you too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Air swept into Nicky's lungs. She gasped and grabbed at her neck. The boiler room basement materialized around her.
She was alive. Nicky's heart was pounding. She felt the rhythmic pulse racing in her chest. Her skin tingled.
But a struggle unfolded in front of her. It was Ken. He'd pulled Roy off her--but Roy dove at him like a rabid animal. Ken had his gun out, but Roy grabbed his arms and held them in place. A gunshot went off, sending ripples of pain through Nicky's eardrums.
Nicky tried to stand, but the pain in her head was excruciating. She was woozy. Her limbs felt heavy, as if they were numb. She got up and coughed. The air smelled of oil and sulfur. It was heavy and thick. She could smell the sweat and rotten gas emanating from the boiler.
A long deep inhale and exhale. The first breath in and the first breath out.
Then she pried herself up and looked around. The room was destroyed, covered in dust and broken glass. Her vision was distorted.
Help. You have to help.
Nicky watched, paralyzed. Roy punched Ken in the face. Ken fell backward.
And Roy was on Ken before Nicky knew what was happening. Roy's fist came down hard, hitting Ken in the nose. Blood flowed from the wound and pooled on the ground.
No.
She had to do something.
Nicky reached for her gun, but it wasn't there.
Ken was too thrown off by the punch to resist. Somehow, in the struggle, Roy had disarmed Ken--and now the gun was pointed right at him.
Roy aimed.
"For your love," he said.
He was going to fire.
But Nicky didn't think. She just dove into action. She tackled Roy, and the gun went off--but it hit the ceiling. The gunpowder burned her nose. The roof collapsed in on itself. She saw the ceiling crack, the beams bend and snap. Immediately, plaster fell sprinkled on top of them. The force of the shot was enough to knock them both off their feet.
Nicky slapped Roy's wrist in the perfect way to force him to drop the weapon--and she grabbed it. She stood up and pointed it right at him. Roy was on his knees, and he froze when he realized that she had the upper hand.
She aimed at his forehead.
His eyes were wild.