As he throws LeAnn's body into the pool, I take the opportunity and run towards the front door. I am trying so hard not to sob! I muffle my cries with my hands while grabbing the car keys and LeAnn's phone, which have been thrown, on the floor, in the entranceway.
"Oh, Samantha!" The man taunts.
My heart drops as I drop the keys. I quickly pick them back up, not bothering to turn around.
As I am running out of the home, Sergio is coming inside, which startles me! I point the gun and shoot him in the stomach!
Bang!
"Oh, my God!" I yell as I reach for him. He puts his hand on his stomach and examines the blood on it, a look of terror on his face.
"I'm so sorry," I cry out! "It was a mistake! I didn't see you! I thought you were-!"
He staggers and drops a huge bag. Stacks of euros pour onto the ground. I look at the bag and then back at him in confusion.
Sergio falls to the ground, reaching out to me.
What is he doing with all that money? Wait a minute!
He must've told the man we were here! He is the reason LeAnn was just killed!
I wipe my tears and look around. Did no one hear all of that noise?! The hail of bullets? The fight?
I turn and leave him there, taking his last breaths.
I begin to run down the mountainside. Not once did I look back. I can't stop sobbing! That maniac killed LeAnn! What makes this situation worse is that The Man said he had Ryder.
I don't know if he or my parents are alive or dead!
Seeing a group of teenagers walking up towards me, I wipe my tears and tuck the gun into my pants. I slow to a jog. They never look over at me.
Once I pass them, I push even harder to hurry and get to the parking lot. I don't want to risk The Man grabbing me.
A couple of minutes later, I make it to the truck. I jump in and look around, making sure no one will surprise me once I drive off.
Hitting the ON button, I put the truck in gear and high tail it out of there!
I drive for almost half an hour. I make so many twists and turns that I should be lost. However, I've been keeping to the main streets. I don't need to end up in a field and invite more trouble for myself. Eventually, I find a restaurant that has tons of cars in the parking lot. The entire parking lot is lit like the fourth of July. I need a public place where I can think for a second, and this is it!
I drive around back and skid to a halt on the dirt trail. Once I turn the ignition off, I notice how violently my hands are shaking. I inhale deeply, trying to calm myself. It doesn't work.
Suddenly I start to think of Ryder and begin to sob.
Maybe The Man is bluffing, and Ryder is safely away with my parents?
I grab LeAnn's phone from my pocket and look for Ryder's number. I place the call and hold my breath, hoping he picks up.
Nothing! I redial, praying he or one of my parents will pick up.
Once again, nothing.
I exhale loudly and put my hands to my face.
Oh god, I tell myself!
LeAnn was murdered in front of me, I can't get a hold of Ryder, and I don't know if he or my parents are still alive! I have no idea where I am or if someone is following me.
It then dawns on me. Freddie!
Of course, he will know Ryder's whereabouts! Wiping the tears away and praying, I search through LeAnn's phone contact list again.
"Please, please, please, LeAnn! Have Freddie's number!"
I find it! "I hope you only know one Freddie, LeAnn!"
The phone rings.
After three rings, a very tired sounding Freddie answers. "Girl, you know not to call me at six in the morning. What do you-"
"Freddie! Oh, my God!" I start to sob again.
"Samantha?! What's wrong!? Are you okay? Where's LeAnn?!"
"No!" I cry out. "LeAnn, she...she..." I can't get the words out.
"Calm down, honey! Take a deep breath. Tell me what's wrong."
I continue to cry and take a shaky breath. I hear someone scream behind me, and I immediately turn around, terrified. A drunk young man is chasing a girl around the parking lot. She laughs out loud when he grabs her and starts to hug her.
"Sam?! Are you there?"
"I don't know where I am, Freddie! LeAnn was murdered in front of me! I still haven't heard from Ryder, and there's a lunatic behind me!"
Freddie makes a horrid gasp.
I then continue to tell him everything that has transpired in the last twenty-four hours. I feel like I'm trapped in this horror show with no way out!
"Listen to me, Sam! Tell me exactly where you are. Are there any buildings around you?" He sounds calm.
I know it's just a front. If he panics, who knows how I will react.
"I'm going to see how far away you are from Ryder."
I hear a door open and close through the phone.
Continuing to look around, I see the sign for the restaurant: a big white and red sign on the side of the brick building. "La Maison," I say shakily.
"Good Job, Sam! You're doing great! Give me a minute. I need to get into Ryder's office."
I keep looking around to make sure I don't see The Man. I decide to turn the ignition on, and put the car in drive, incase he ambushes me.
I've seen way too many movies where the victim is sitting in the car, and the killer breaks the window, grabbing them.
"All right! It looks like you are two hours away from Ryder's last known coordinates. Listen to me, Sam..." Freddie begins.
I already know what he's going to say. Nonetheless, I listen intently.
"If LeAnn was killed, then that means whoever they have after you won't stop. Ryder probably might be gone too."
My heart skips a beat at his words. I close my eye as tears slide down my cheeks. Freddie is right!
"As a friend, I will advise you to come back to New Jersey," Freddie says sadly.
Ryder is all he has in this world, but I can't leave Ryder or my parents behind!
Dead or alive!
LeAnn's death is because of me also. They are all here because of me!
"What would you do if you were in my place, Fred?" I ask. I put my head down, my hand covering my eyes. All I have, this very moment, is Freddie. Whatever he says, I'll follow.
He doesn't give a quick response. Instead, I hear him exhale deeply.
Freddie then scoffs. "I'd find my family," he pauses. "And give my crazy husband hell!"
I nod. His words give me a new sense of confidence.
"Give me the coordinates, Freddie..."