Don’t give up, Annika. If Damien finds you like this, you’ll be helpless against whatever he has planned. Get your ass up and get out of here. Do it now!
Moaning softly, I gripped the doorknob and hauled myself to my feet, wincing in pain. A gush of blood oozed out of my makeshift bandage, soaking the fabric.
I whimpered, closing my eyes.It hurts. It hurts. I don’t know if I can do this.
Ignore the pain. You have to get out of here. You have to try.
With a grunt, I pulled open the backdoor and hobbled out onto the porch, a gush of cold air making me shiver.
Rather than try to navigate the steps on one leg, I sat down on the porch and slid down the steps on my ass, one at a time. Then I pulled myself back up and glanced around, wobbling on my wounded leg.
I had no idea where Damien had gone, but I hadn’t heard the sound of a car engine, so I guessed he was on foot.
The best way to get home—and to avoid Damien if he was on foot—would be to take the road. Eventually, I would find another house or maybe a person. On the other hand, if I headed into the forest, I could easily get lost and freeze to death. And I might run into Damien.
Honestly, I didn’t think I could make it very far. I didn’t even know if I could make it across the yard.
Stop being a negative Nancy. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can do this.
Drawing in a deep breath, I pushed it back out. Then I took a hobbling step away from the porch.
My leg gave out on me.
With a soft scream, I careened forward, collapsing on the ground.
I moaned, not wanting to admit defeat, but there was no way I was making it all the way back to the lake house like this.
Tears threatened. My throat clogged with emotion.
Swallowing hard, I blinked the tears away and contemplated my options.
My best chances of survival meant finding a hiding spot and waiting for Adrik to come for me.
And praying I didn’t freeze to death before he got here.
What if he doesn’t come for me? What if Damien kills him and comes back to finish me off?
Despair slid in, wrapping around like a heavy shroud.I’m doomed.
I hitched in a breath. I was a fool to think I could escape.
There’s that negative Nancy again. Get rid of her. You have to be positive. You have to be strong. You are a Popov. Act like one! Stop being a wimp!
You can do this.
Sucking in a ragged breath, I surveyed the area, spying an old garden shed near the corner of the yard. Would Damien think to look for me there? Would Adrik?
It was either that, or I try to make my way back inside where Damien would surely find me.
The garden shed it is.
With grunts and groans of pain, I began slowly dragging myself across the yard toward the garden shed. The pain in my leg was excruciating, and blood continued to ooze around the bandage. I might bleed to death before I even reached the shed.
It seemed like forever, but I kept crawl-dragging myself until I finally reached the garden shed.
Pushing myself up into a sitting position, I reached for the door handle.
Just then, a voice carried across the yard like the wind, sending a tingle of fear down my spine.