I hunker down around the corner, peering to see if Connors is nearby. Either Alexander is hiding, or Connors took off. Either way, Alexander’s still somewhere in this building.
No clear sign of Connors or Alexander. I quietly make my way to a conference room, taking a shortcut between hallways. The grand area looks clear, so I move into the service department. The rain seems to be letting up after hours of pouring. I peek into the service department, looking around and moving from corner to corner, hiding behind every desk, underneath every table, until I feel confident he isn’t here. Only the late night lights and moon illuminate the room.
Jumping from desk to desk, covering myself in case he finds me, I make my way to the corner desk. I hear the creaking of the stairwell door that connects the shelter from the services team. I cover my mouth with my hand and say a quick prayer. When I feel there’s enough distance between me and his footsteps, I peek over the desk.
Connors walks towards the call center area, and I can see blood on his neck. Is it Alexander’s?
As he exits the service area, I crawl low, making sure he can’t see me as he passes. I make my movements light, heading into the shelter area, but head toward the third floor of shelter rooms. I don’t see any sign of Alexander or anyone else, for that matter.Alexander, you call me impulsive. No back up?
Making my way to the shelter rooms, I hear an echo of a roar: he must have found Carla laying in her own blood. I scurry faster, yanking a door open. I have to find Alexander, quickly. I hear heavier footsteps coming across the service floor, echoing in the stairway.
I find an empty room and hide in a big closet in the main family room. It’s enough to cover me and peek through to make sure he walks away. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, my breath staggered from nerves. But I’m not the only one in here. I feel a large hand roam over my stomach. A hot breath in my ear. I know this touch all too well. Tears start to pool in my eyes.
“Little Cub.”
I press into him, as if to mold us into one. I was stupid. I thought I could solve all our problems and instead of him causing the trouble, it’s me. I allowed this madman to get to me and now we’re here. Alexander shushes me, calming me down.
“I got you,” he whispers.
“I’m sorry.” I clasp his hand in mine. His head leaning into mine. The gentle embrace searing into my skin.
The stomping of feet jars me out of my revelry. I can hear him, like a raging bull, aiming for his prey. He’s peering into every room, tearing down every plastic sheet and box there is. He didn’t expect me to escape, to fight.
“You vicious little girl. Can’t blame you, though. Clara was a nuisance. She played her part.” His voice echoes in the hall.
“But, if you think you can outsmart me, my dear Ms. Bjorn, you are so very wrong. I will find you and rip away every last thing you love. I will finish off your lover and dance on his grave.”
Alexander pulls me tighter, kissing my hair, telling me that he’s still here.
“Then that pack of dirty wolves. You could end this all and still save everyone.” he bellows out. I don’t move, another ploy to get what he wants.
“Tereesssaaa,” he sings out my name hauntingly. He moves past our room, but I can tell by his footsteps that he’s close. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when I hear his footsteps die away. The sounds of rolling thunder clap in the distance.
“Where’s your gun?” I whisper.
“At the main entrance.”
Well, fuck. “I have mine. I’ll cover. We need to leave.”
“The club is only a few minutes out.”
“Then let’s go now!” I say sharply. As we open the closet door, he pulls back my hand.
“Who’s blood?”
I smirk. “Mine and a dead redhead bimbo’s.”
“He touch you?”
“Not important. Let’s go!” I rush him to the front north staircase, being careful that Connors may be close, still searching for us.
We get to the staircase, careful of every step we make. We make it to the second floor, back where the service department is, and quickly try to cross the open floor. Then a bang; I kick a bucket left by a painter. I trip over it, scrambling to regain my balance, but it’s too late. We hear Connors rushing in with long strides. Alexander pulls me up by the arm, practically dragging me to the front staircase.
“Come on, darlin’. Almost there.” Alexander goes first down the stairs as I trail behind him. I can see his gun by the receptionist's desk, but I feel it’s too late. We stomp down the stairs but halfway down, a shot rings out and Alexander goes down. Connors shot him in the back of the leg. Alexander tumbles down the stairs and I scream for him as I whip out my gun, unlocking the safety and pointing it at Connors.
He laughs cynically, approaching from out of the shadows. I aim my gun at him as he walks with his in hand. I just need to hold him off a couple more minutes until the cavalry shows.
“So close and yet, nothing accomplished. You’re not going to shoot me, dear.”