Resolve

Alex woke, his stomach churning. Although everything still hurt, he felt better somehow. Ready to take on the world, or at least the crazy woman holding him captive.

The song still played, but he was beginning to tune it out. He glanced around the tiny room, hoping someone had dropped off some food while he slept. 

No such luck. They were probably going to hold out as long as they could after he’d made his escape.

How had they been so stupid as to leave his door unlocked again? It had to be a trap.

Sighing, he stared at the door. But what if it wasn’t a test? What if it was just stupidity?

Could he actually get away this time? They would kill him if he got caught. Then he’d never see his daughter grow up. He’d never meet his niece or nephew. Never know what could’ve happened between him and Zoey. He was so close to proving himself worthy of her love after everything he’d done to hurt her.

If he didn’t at least try—again—to get away, he would lose all those opportunities. Crazy’s buddies would kill him for sure. Maybe she’d do it herself.

He needed to try again.

Assuming the door was still unlocked.

The risk was worth it. Alex pushed himself up and limped over to the door. His legs actually felt better than they had the last time he’d gotten up.

His pulse raced and his mouth went dry. He held the images of Ariana’s and Zoey’s faces in his mind. 

“I’ll get back to you.” Or die trying.

The door felt a million miles away, but he finally made it. 

Alex stared at it. Would he be able to open it, or had he just talked himself into an impossible task that would only lead to disappointment?

He stood taller. If the door was locked again, he’d simply attack whoever came in first, then flee. It’d be a pathetic fight given his condition, but it was all he had. He’d do it.

But now, for the moment of truth.

Alex reached for the knob. He grasped it. It turned slowly. His heart threatened to explode right out of his chest.

He pulled on the knob. The door didn’t move. He pulled again. 

Nothing. It didn’t budge.

The door was locked. He’d had his chance for escape, but had missed it.

Disappointment and anger raced through him. 

Alex grabbed the knob with both hands and yanked as hard as he could. The door refused to move. It was as though it were laughing at him. Telling him what a fool he’d been for missing his opportunity.

What had he done? Why hadn’t he left when he’d had the chance? The door was locked now, meaning it had probably been accidentally unlocked. Not a test. He could’ve escaped without being immediately caught and beaten. Or had it been a test? There was no way of knowing.

It was too late now.

He slumped to the ground. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

Why couldn’t he make a decent choice? Everything he did was dumb. Walking away from Zoey all those years earlier. Staying in a dead-end job and living in a crappy apartment while spending all his leftover earnings at the local bar. Only seeing Ariana a couple times a year—now seeing her twice a week wasn’t enough. Not even close.

Had he only been fooling himself thinking that he was turning a new leaf? He had a successful blog that had allowed him to get his own apartment again—a clean one. One that, though it was small, he was proud to show his daughter and Zoey. He was on his way to becoming a police officer. 

Alex clenched his fists. He couldn’t even get himself to the first day of academy without walking into trouble. Was he doomed for failure? For disappointing his loved ones? Could that just be his lot in life?

Why had he thought he was capable of anything different? Why?

Click.

Alex’s head snapped up. Someone was unlocking the door.

Click.

His pulse pounded through his body. This was his chance to turn everything around. 

Click.

If it was just one person, he could fight them and get away. He scrambled to his feet.

Click.

The last lock. He drew in a deep breath, clenched his fists, and waited.

It seemed to take forever, but finally the door opened slowly. 

Alex listened for conversation. There was none. It was probably just one person.

This was his chance. It really was.

In stepped Crazy. Her eyes widened with surprise when she saw Alex standing so close. She opened her mouth to speak.

He punched her in the jaw. Her head flew back. Alex pushed past her into the hallway. She grabbed his arm and yanked him toward the room.

Alex spun around and hit her again. She shoved him against the wall and wrapped her hands around his neck. He kneed her in the stomach and pushed her away. She let go of his neck.

He ran—as best he could, stumbling and tripping over his own feet. 

“Get him!” Crazy shouted.

Alex reached for the wall to balance himself and pushed through all his pain. Every part of his body cried out in protest.

Multiple footsteps echoed all around him. The perky song ran through his head.

A two-by-four lay on the floor just up ahead. It was exactly what he needed. As he neared, he prepared to pick it up.

Pain shot through the middle of his back as he leaned over, almost slowing his pace. He grimaced but refused to let it slow him down. He lowered an arm and scooped up the piece of wood.

Crazy was closing the distance between them.

“Get back here,” she ordered.

A hand grazed Alex’s bare back. 

He spun around and swung the board at her with everything he had. It hit her across the shoulder, missing her head as he intended. She flew into a wall and cried out. 

Alex clung to the board and fled down the hall as Crazy shouted profanities at him and called for her cronies.