Candy by Justin M. Woodward

Author:Justin M. Woodward [Woodward, Justin M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: simple bicycle publishing
Published: 2018-05-10T18:30:00+00:00

12

Trojan Horse

The walls of this corner hotel room are closing in. Nick has to choose who dies—himself or me—and I have a feeling I know what he’s going to do. But then, of course, I have to ask myself what I would do given the same choice. Again, I feel that sickening feeling of just let it be me. I mean, I’ve been gone all this time, and my mom hasn’t even called to bitch about me being gone. Okay, okay, that’s not fair. I had a good cover story. I guess I just want to be missed. To be loved.

“Nicholas?” Sean says. “Time to choose, pal. Who dies? You or her?” He points at me. The swish-swish of the yo-yo is digging into my brain.

If looks could kill, I’d be a murderer. Which, I’d like to remind you, I’m still not.

Nick opens his mouth to speak, closes it.

Swish-swish.

“You’ve got about ten seconds to decide,” Christina says. “Or I’ll just kill both of you.”

“I…” Nick says.

“Ten,” Sean says.

“Damn!” Christina exclaims. “I’d sure hate to be you.”

“Seven,” Sean continues.

A phone begins ringing in the room. The standard iPhone chime.

“Damnit,” Sean says, checking the screen of his phone. “It’s the boss.”

“Answer it,” Christina says.

Sean sighs. Walks into the bathroom. Christina shifts her gaze in my direction. “You shouldn’t have come here,” she says. “We told you people to stay out of our way.”

“I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about,” I say. “Honestly.”

From the bathroom I can hear Sean saying, “Where?” saying, “Right now?” There is fear in his voice.

“What is it?” Christina shouts.

“They’re coming,” Sean says in a frantic voice. “Four black vans parked out front.” He shoots a glance in our direction. “I’m sorry,” he says. “This is a big misunderstanding. But we could use your help, if you want to stay alive.”

Nick, wiping sweat from his forehead, he says, “A big misunderstanding? A big misunderstanding is your wife thinking you were cheating on her with your lesbian secretary. This isn’t that. This is me dying.”

And there it is. Him, dying. Not me.

“We can talk about this later,” Sean says, freeing Nick’s bindings. “Right now, we have a problem we need your help with.”

“Why would we help you?” I ask.

“Because,” Christina says, freeing my wrists. “If you don’t, we might all die.”

“What are you talking about?” I say. And then I remember. Black vans. Could it be the people who followed Nick and I when we left Tallahassee?

“Just—” Sean says, but is cut off when a fist slams against the door.

Bam bam bam.

Sean holds a finger to his mouth, opens a suitcase, hands me a pistol. Hands one to Nick.

“We need to get out of here,” Christina whispers.

“The balcony,” I whisper. “It’s the only way.”

“It isn’t,” Sean whispers. “Our room is connected to yours. We can get the drop on them.”

“What do they want?” Nick whispers.

“They want us dead,” Sean replies.

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