The rhythmic sound of the knock sent a shockwave of terror through Emily's chest, echoing through her flat like a drummer. She stood motionless for a while, her heart pounding in her ears. The door and the person—or people—on the other side were the only things visible, as though time had stopped. She was no longer by herself. She thought over Margaret's email once more: "They're coming for you." The caution was no longer merely theoretical. It was authentic. She had a visitor outside her door.
Emily reached for the closest item—a pen—from her desk, her fingers shaking. Though it was a pitiful weapon, it was all she had just now. She tried to calm herself as she eased toward the entrance, her mind racing. Shall she open it? Who was on the opposite side, and should she face them? Or should she use the window to get out? The knock was louder and more persistent this time. A voice on the other end whispered, "Emily." "I am aware that you are inside. You are unable to hide."
Her blood froze. There was no mistaking the voice. One of Blackwood's men was involved. The man who had prevented her from leaving the building the previous evening. What did he want, though? Did he come to return her to Blackwood? Or was there another factor at work, something more sinister? Having made up her mind, she inhaled deeply. She refused to open the door. Blackwood was mistaken if he believed he could manipulate her. She only had one chance to get away. Before he could tighten his hold on her, she had to leave.
Emily turned without thinking, pushed the curtains aside, and ran toward the window. In front of her, the city's lights flickered like far-off stars. Time was of the essence. When the city felt too small and oppressive, she had utilized the passageway that led to the window a few times before. However, the sound of footfall outside the door became more audible when she threw open the window. They were getting closer.
Emily swung one leg over the sill in an attempt to descend as stealthily as she could while her heartbeat increased. However, before she could reach it, her apartment door violently crashed open, slamming into the wall. Her stomach fell. She was stuck. The man's presence occupied the doorway, his icy gaze sweeping the room before instantly focusing on her. His voice was calm and unwavering as he said, "Emily, you're not going anywhere."
Her foot snagged on the sill as she hastily dragged her other leg through the window. Panic increasing as she heard his footsteps coming, she scurried to break away. His voice was calm but full of a sinister promise as he yelled, "Don't make this harder than it has to be." With a sharp thud, Emily fell from the window and onto the alley below, her feet hitting the pavement and the air draining out of her lungs. She staggered and caught herself in time, then looked up to find the alley stretching out in front of her, a labyrinth of dark corners and tight passageways. She was unable to remain here.
Emily tried to escape the danger behind her as she ran down the alley, her legs pumping with energy and her heart pounding. She could hear footsteps on the street, the distinct beat of someone anxious to catch up with her. Her approach to the city's edge increased with each bend and twist, yet the sound of the man's footfall got louder. He was getting closer to her. She was unable to allow him to catch her. She exerted more effort, and when she came to a dead end, her breath came in ragged gasps. There was no way out of this maze of an alley. She skidded to a standstill, searching desperately for a way out as panic swept through her chest. Footsteps were getting closer. He was near.
Emily looked up at the surrounding buildings, trying to find a way to climb and get out, but the windows were out of reach and the walls were too high. Her choices were dwindling rapidly. Then she noticed it: a fire escape ladder that was barely within reach and dangling precariously on a building's edge. Emily jumped at it without thinking, her heart pounding from the terror of being caught, her fingers grabbing for the metal rungs. Her hands slipped as she tried to cling on, barely making it. However, it was too late. She was pulled back down when a powerful hand clamped down on her ankle.
Emily gasped and tried to pull away, but the hold was too strong. The man's voice was low, his breath scorching against her skin, "No more running, Emily." "You're accompanying me." Emily's power surged with panic, and she turned, kicking her foot free and scurrying as fast as she could up the ladder. She ignored the pain in her arms and the burning in her legs as she ascended higher. Her only concern was getting away. From below, the man swore, but his steps stumbled.
Emily, breathing heavily, dragged herself over the edge of the building as she reached the top. She looked back down at the alley below and saw the man standing at the bottom of the ladder, staring at her with a look that made her heart race. His voice carried up to her as he said, "You can't run forever." "It's impossible to escape him."
She staggered away from the edge, attempting to get her bearings, her pulse pounding. She had not died. Still unrestricted. However, how long? Emily was startled out of her reverie as her phone buzzed in her pocket. As she took it out, the name appearing on the screen made her heart skip a beat. Margaret. She answered, her hands shaking. "Margaret? What's happening? I—" However, a deep, guttural voice interrupted her before she could finish. "Emily, you are still alive. That won't last long, though. Blackwood was the one."
Before she could reply, the line died.
Emily froze, his words weighing heavily on her. Now that she had gone too far, she was about to face the full brunt of Blackwood's anger.