Excerpt
Copyright 2012 © Mary L. Ball
Sam’s eyes
popped open. She heaved a rapid breath.
A rough,
sweaty hand rubbed her head. Hungry fingers clumsily caressed her hair and
brushed against her cheek.
The air
filled with an odd stench and assaulted her nose. Sam’s stomach churned. She
swallowed back the nausea that stirred from the pungent reek of liquor.
With a quick
breath, she squelched the panic that bolted through her like lightening and
concentrated on the eerie shadow that lurked above her head.
The light
from a moonbeam shined across the room and created a spotlight on the
staggering silhouette.
Immediately,
she recognized Rob.
She jerked
her body up in an instant.
Quickly, her
head hit the couch hard as her body slammed down tight with the cushions. Rob
lashed out and grabbed the front of her blouse. The gold-colored shiny circles
popped off as the cotton material ripped.
Sam clawed
his face, managing to pull away and scramble to her feet.
She forged
the strength from somewhere deep within and gave him a quick shove. His body
fell backward.
Her heart
leapt as she raced toward the simmering glow coming from the nightlight in the
hallway. Rob dashed after her like a dog snapping at her heels.
As Sam
approached her front door, her peripheral vision glimpsed the statue made of
metal perched on the shelf over her coat rack. She knew the little figurine
wouldn’t offer much defense because it was small and hollow, but what other
choice did she have?
Quickly, she
snatched up the horse. She whacked Rob, hitting him hard, then another time,
until he staggered and fell.
Sam ran as
fast as she could and left Rob lying on the hallway floor. A moan escaped his
lips as a trickle of blood oozed from his head.
She scurried
down the steps as remorse hit her. Of all the stupid things she could’ve done!
Why had she forgotten to lock her door?
Sam dashed
down the sidewalk. She was aware, vaguely, of the passing city blocks.
The sting of
the air in her eyes, on her cheeks, slowly revealed the brutal chill. The
February night embraced her entire body. Her skin tingled as the wintry air
swirled inside her torn garment.
With
shivering hands, Sam grabbed the fabric and held tight. She blinked and fought
against tears as they trickled down her cheek. This was no time to cry—she
needed to stay strong.
Blurred with
emotion, she was grateful for living in the city. The streetlights shined on
the sidewalk and gave her a clear path in the night.
After a few
blocks, she slowed down to a jog, finally able to stop running. Sam’s heart
beat in rapid succession as she leaned against a building and heaved, barely
aware of the frosty concrete pressed against her back.
Sam
concentrated on inhaling slow breaths in and out, until her lungs felt normal
again.
She slid
down the rough surface and landed flat on the icy sidewalk. Crouched down, Sam
held her ribs as they throbbed.
Rubbing her
cheeks, she swiped away the moisture that flowed over her face.
No, she
wouldn’t give in to despair. Now she could go back to the police and get help.
Maybe, with a court order, she could keep Rob away. She could concentrate on
getting her life back on the right track.
Sam sat
there in the dismal hour of darkness and focused on calming her shaky nerves.
Her emotions
drained her. Hunkered down on the sidewalk mindlessly, Sam watched the
nightlife across the street.
After what
seemed like hours, pins and needles pricked her frigid, stiff body. She
clutched at her torn top and shivered once more. How could she have nowhere to
go? How did she manage to lose connections to all her friends? They had all
married or moved away.
Totally
alone, she knew there was no other choice but to return home.
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