Vantage Point by Amy McKinley

Author:Amy McKinley [McKinley, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arrowscope Press, LLC
Published: 2019-03-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Hawk

The memories were too close. I couldn’t keep them at bay. Soon, I would be coming face-to-face with several of the goons from that last night with the people who’d raised me. My stomach churned. Flashes came in fast succession until I gave in and let them play out.

The crash had been explosive, dragging me from sleep. I had frantically sought where the sound had come from. The door to my room was closed, and I wondered if he was coming. With my gaze glued on the doorknob, I waited, praying it didn’t turn. Heart pounding, I crouched and took stock of my surroundings. The only light in my small room was from under the door and the silvery glow the crescent moon cast through my window.

The door stayed shut, but I didn’t relax my stance. I had to assess what was happening.

I counted how many pairs of feet scuffed against the floor. Four people? Maybe five? The slide of shoes closest to my door wasn’t from Mom or her husband. I knew their tread well. Another step, and the squeak from the floorboard near the kitchen sounded more strained than if any of us had stepped on it.

The dull thud of a fist slamming into flesh echoed in time with the thump of my heart. High-pitched whimpers played under the violent melody of the beating. It continued until a heavy weight dropped to the floor.

“Time’s up, Lenny,” a smoke-ravaged voice threatened.

“I need more time,” Mom’s husband pleaded. His voice was thick with pain and desperation. “Give me a week.”

“Already did that. You’ve got nothing for collateral.”

“Take my wife or the kid. You know my word’s good if you hold them ’til I deliver the payment.”

My blood iced. The bastard was going to bargain with our lives. He was full of shit. He didn’t care about us.

“No!” Mom begged. “Take the kid. He’s a hard worker.”

Fuck, her too? It crushed any hope that she cared. I was only thirteen, and they were going to use me to save themselves.

“Boss says this is it. Payment’s due.”

“I swear I’m good for it,” Lenny pleaded.

I could hear the man walk around. I strained to hear if he was coming closer. His steps were tight. My guess was that he was moving in a circle, probably around Lenny. I visualized where they were. There was another by the kitchen counter, near Mom. I knew because that’s where her muffled crying was coming from. I’d lost the third’s movements while Lenny got pummeled.

“Please. I got a tip today for tomorrow’s race. I’ll have it then. I swear.”

“Always something with you,” the man said.

A dull thud sounded, and glass shattered. Had the glass fallen from the counter? Was it thrown? I couldn’t be sure. I knew what the next sound was, another punch. Lenny sold us out. Nothing good will come from tonight.

I didn’t need to hear more. It was time.

Something splashed against my door. The liquid dripped down and pooled underneath, seeping in. Footsteps crunched outside my window.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.