Chapter 1
* This book is currently going through revision and may differ from previous read-throughs. The first five chapters will be available here once they are ready.
Chapter 1
Marnie
“Marnie, where are you? I’m so scared. I’ve contacted every hospital near us. Please just let me know if you and Syd are okay.” John’s voicemail played in my ear as I dashed around the house, searching for Sydney. I had told her to hide the moment we got home.
“It’s been three hours, and you still haven’t made it home. I know you haven’t been shopping that long. Get home now.”
His voice was rising in volume, the speaker getting louder and louder as he spoke. I hung up the phone, calling for Sydney. We had waited, watching for the moment he left so we could gather what few things we could. This was our only chance to escape. I ran to her room, but when I entered, there was only darkness.
“Sydney!” I shouted, “Where are you, baby?”
There was no sound or movement—only complete darkness. My heartbeat pounded in my chest, echoing up through my body as terror gripped me. Where was my child? Had John come back and taken her? Oh, dear God, no. A heavy weight pressed on my shoulder, invisible but real in the darkness. I tried to turn and shield myself, but it followed, always just behind me. Shallow breaths brushed my hair, causing the hair on my neck to stand on end. I covered my mouth and closed my eyes as his voice rang out.
“Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.”
Cold sweat covered my body as I awoke with a gasp. Another nightmare, another few hours of dread. Three hours was the magic number today. I had struggled for an hour, tossing and turning, to finally fall asleep, but John never left. He always found me. Trauma never makes for a good bedfellow.
After dropping Sydney off at the daycare, I pulled up to the gas station and had a few minutes to spare before I needed to go in. Checking myself in the mirror, I noted the dark circles under my eyes were a little extra puffy today, as well as some redness starting around my nose. I really needed to get some rest soon, or I was going to burn out, but these nightmares had a hold on me and were only getting worse. Slamming the mirror on my visor shut, I sighed out my frustrations and prayed for a calm night as I went in to start my shift.
There was only Mr. Stein hanging out today, scratching his lotto tickets, and Jamie behind the counter. She was staring into her phone as if it held the only source of entertainment, and all it was showing was reruns. I had yet to see any genuine joy in the girl, but that suited me just fine. As soon as I clocked in and she gave me any updates, she would be hightailing it out of here, and I would take the helm of this convenient ship.
The sun had set, and I had just finished restocking the toilet paper in the restrooms when the bell for the doors dinged. I jerked to a halt, eyeing the large mirror above to see who was walking through the doors. I exhaled in relief as Todd’s smiling face reflected at me.
“Hey, guys. Any wild plans for the-” I stopped mid-sentence. I had been half right. Todd was here, but that was definitely not Stacie. Stacie had been a lanky redhead, while this new gentleman was the complete opposite. He stood around six and a half feet tall, with broad arms and chest, accentuated by his narrowing waist. Even the line of his jaw looked strong. Tidy and clean-shaven, his sun-kissed skin added a stark contrast to his short, dark-brown hair that had a slight wave to it, hinting at natural curls. Deep green eyes watched me, framed by dark lashes and strong brows.
It felt like I stood there for hours studying him, but in reality, it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds. I internally shook myself out of my stupor and lifted my hand in a small wave as I made my way to the center counter. Eyes down, Marnie. Don’t draw attention.
“Apologies,” I mumbled, “I was expecting Stacie to be with you, Todd.”
Todd was a large African American man in his mid-thirties, bald by choice and fairly muscular. He had been quite intimidating when I first met him, but several nights of his jokes and easy-going attitude had softened me to his presence. It had been a running gag between him and Stacie that they looked like Terry Crews and a young Carrot Top were just having a leisurely stroll. He had the nerve to look bashful as he rubbed the back of his head. “Sorry, Marnie. We had a shift change. This is my new partner, Will.”
Will stood there for a few heartbeats before he cleared his throat, “Nice to meet you, Miss.” He reached up, grasping at air and pinching his fingers together. I fought my body not to flinch, tensing up to remain still. He held his hand up for a moment before slowly, albeit awkwardly, dropping it back down.
I gave a quick, curt nod, "Pleasure to meet you, Will.”
“Hey, Marnie. Did you get some more of those gluten-free snack cakes in?” Todd called out as he ushered Will towards the coolers.
I tried busying myself around the register, keeping my body behind the counter. “Oh, the Schar Sch’naks? Yeah, we got a shipment early this morning. They should be on the shelf.”
“You’re a peach, Marnie!”
Looking at Todd, you wouldn’t think he had digestive issues, but the poor guy bloated worse than a teenage girl on her period. I suggested changing his diet to omit gluten, and so far, he seems to be feeling a lot better. He had even convinced his wife to take the switch, and they had both lost twenty pounds of bloat each. His wife, Teresa, had come in personally to thank me. She was such a sweet woman and the apple of Todd’s eye. Married for five years last month and still acting like newlyweds. It almost made me jealous.
Now my biggest issue was the fact that his new partner was seeing me at my worst. I don’t know why I even cared how I looked. It didn’t matter since I was damaged goods with baggage to boot. Maybe, when Sydney was in college or tech school, I would scrounge up the courage to try the dating scene again. Naw, forget it. Who was I kidding? Anyone nice is just trying to be polite to the gas station hag. Todd had probably told him to be nice; besides, a man as handsome as him wouldn’t even consider dating a woman like me.
The guys saddled up to the counter, and I dived into scanning the snacks, pulling myself out of my internal crisis with anything to keep my attention and my hands busy. Todd had a pretty diverse selection. Plenty of energy drinks, Slim Jims, and almost the whole new shipment of snack cakes. He just smiled as I continued to scan them.
“Hey, I don’t blame you. I would snatch up something I liked when I found it,” I reassured him.
“See, Will, I told you. Marnie and I are on the same wavelength. She knows the deal.” Todd was all smiles as his new partner watched me, causing the hairs on my arms to stand up as I felt his gaze lingering on me. He was probably making sure I didn’t double-scan anything. I had a couple of customers like him who would scrutinize me, but I had yet to mess up for them, and, regardless of how hot he was, I wasn’t going to start tonight. I wasn’t some lust-struck fool for him to gloat about to his friends later.
“Will that be all for you?” I looked up at Todd with my best professional smile. It had taken months of interaction to be able to look him in the eye when we spoke. Most of the time, I had learned to stare just shy of the eyes. I did not like direct eye contact, but so far, Todd hadn’t seen it as a challenge, so my guard lowered a little just for him.
“It better be. If I spend any more on snacks, my wife will have my guts for garters,” he chuckled, giving his best pirate imitation. Paying with his card, he took his two bags of treats, moving out of the way like a giddy child for Will to put a single No on the counter.
I scanned his drink, keeping my eyes trained on the UPC of the can and my screen. His presence was even more intimidating up close.
“Will that be all?”
“That should tide me over,” he held out the money, and I took it, feeling the nearest brush of skin contact. I barely contained myself as my body tried to bolt, my hand stiffening.
