Would Rather Die...(Part III)

I buried my face against his chest as he walked. I wanted nothing more than to hide or disappear into his very soul. I knew I was safe only there. Stephen opened the passenger side door of his car and set me inside. The crying had stopped for now and shock was settling into my body. He hurried around the front of the car. I followed him with my eyes, my entire body seizing with fear and anguish.

He slid into the car, slammed the door and reached over to clip my seatbelt into place. He faked the most reassuring smile that I thought for a moment I was going to be fine. “We’re getting out of this…I promise.” Stephen put the car into reverse and backed out of my driveway.

I did not speak, I could not. I pulled my knees up to my chest, the urge to vomit rising inside of me. I stared out of the window, watching the world pass by unknowing of what Hell could exist.

The car came to a stop and I realized we were at Stephen’s house. He ran inside and within a few minutes, he has returned with a bag of clothes and bottled water. “Drink some, okay? I know you probably don’t want to…” his voice trailed off as he became distracted by something else.

A police car was rolling to a stop on the street.

“School called – said Katrina wasn’t in school.” A rush of fear coursed through me. I recognized the voice, the tone. Anger, so much anger hiding just below the surface like a snake waiting to strike. A police officer walked slowly up the driveway, I could not stop myself from meeting his eyes because I knew he was already staring.

His piercing eyes gazed at me, assessing the situation, and picking up on the intent of our stop. “Where you headed, Steve?” The officer broke our connection to stare at Stephen.

“Actually to school, Officer.” I stiffened at the anger in Stephen’s voice and I waited for the reaction. I stared into my lap, pleading with all of my being that we could get out of this.

“Doesn’t look that way…Come on Katrina, I’m taking you home.” I looked up at the mention of my name, everything moved too slowly, and I could not shake the feeling of having lost. He moved to the door, his eyes glared warningly.

Stephen stepped in front of the door. “She’s not going anywhere with you.” His tone this time was furious and even a little afraid. My stomach twisted at the sound of the pleasant laugh that erupted from the police officer.

He leaned in toward the window and I instinctively pulled away. “If you don’t get out of this car right now…” his voice dropped menacingly, “I’m going to kill him.”