Chapter 29

Chapter 29
THE SHATTERED WINDOW

Point of View: Luna Hart

Sharp fragments of glass fly everywhere and fall to the ground like rain. With my heart pounding loudly in my ears, I crawl under the bed. "Give us the girl!" shouts the cruel voice outside once again. I grab my lips to prevent a scream as my stomach twists. My mother's fingers bite into my arm as she pulls me in close. With her breath heated on my ear, she says, "Stay down, Luna."

With a violent sweep of his flashlight beam, Mr. Cole storms into the room. He yells, "Go to the car!" in a voice as sharp as a dagger. The room becomes darker as he snatches a lamp from the table and slams it against the wall. With her hand firmly gripping mine, my mother pulls me to my feet and we dash to the door. Glass pokes through my stockings and crunches under my feet.

The chilly, damp night air outside stings my face. I observe shadows moving inside a black automobile that is idling in the parking lot with its lights out. With his keys jingling, Mr. Cole shoves us in the direction of our automobile. He screams, "Run!" and hurls a rock at the window of the black automobile. There's a loud snap and a curse from someone inside.

My mother pushes me through the rear door. My knees scrape the leather as I move over the seat. She slams the door behind her and leaps in. The engine roars to life as Mr. Cole rushes into the front. As we accelerate out, debris flies up behind us and tires squeal.

With its lights glowing brightly, the black automobile pursues. My mother uses her body to restrain me. She urges in a tremulous voice, "Stay low." My teeth clatter when the automobile slams into potholes. I glance up to see the dark automobile approach, almost brushing our bumper.

The wheel spins in Mr. Cole's hands as he veers to the left and then the right. "Wait!" he yells. I'm thrown forward by the shock of the black automobile crashing into us from behind. With lights exploding in my eyes, my head strikes the seat. With a moan, my mother puts her arm around me more tightly.

I turn to see the window of the black automobile sliding down. Something shiny—a gun—is held in a protruding hand. My breath catches. "They are armed!" I shout with a loud voice.

When Mr. Cole applies the brakes, the black automobile speeds by. The vehicle tilts as he makes a quick turn onto a side street. It aches when my mom's hand squeezes mine. The garbage cans clang as we pass them as we dash through the tight alleyways. My heart continues to race even after the lights of the dark automobile behind me disappear.

Cars honking as we cut past, we exploded into a large road. Sweating in the dashboard light, Mr. Cole glides between them. "Lost them," he adds in a gruff voice. My mother slowly sits up and looks behind her. There are no lights. I exhaled, my whole body shaking.

With her face moist on mine, my mother gives me a tight embrace. Her voice trembles as she murmurs, "You're safe."

My stomach still turns over even after I nod. Like a nightmare, the gun's gleam lingers in my mind. The road is straight and black as we travel for hours. The sound of the automobile lulling me to sleep makes my eyelids droop. Glass breaking, firearms blazing, and my mother screaming are all part of the dreams.

The automobile stopped at a petrol station, and I woke up with the sun glaring into my eyes. As he fills up the tank, Mr. Cole looks around the road. My mom pulls a candy bar out of her pocket and offers it to me. She continues, her grin shaky, "Eat this."

I bite into it, the chocolate sticky in my parched mouth yet delightful. "Where are we?" My voice is croaky as I inquire.

Mr. Cole replies, "Far away," and climbs back in. A brand-new town. We'll be more covert.

I twist the wrapper with my hands while I nod. I keep thinking about the attack—the gun hand, the voice calling out to me. Who are they? Victoria and Ethan are both incarcerated. There is a true boss, however, according to the notes. The image of me and my mother, with Ms. Linda in the rear, makes my locket feel heavy around my neck. Perhaps she is aware.

We go to a little home near a lake, where the water gleams in the sunlight. With a solemn expression, Mr. Cole examines the windows and doors. He opens it and says, "Safe here."

It has a fireplace and comfortable sofas inside. Fresh bread is used when my mom prepares sandwiches. At first, we ate quietly at the table. Mr. Cole looks at me and says, "Tell us what you saw."

I tell them about the message, the knife, and the face at the window. Even when my voice trembles, I continue. With her hand on mine, my mother's eyes became moist. "We'll put an end to this," she adds firmly.

Mr. Cole's jaw clenched, he nodded. "I'll call in extra assistance. Police companions.

I nod, but the pain in my stomach persists. According to the message, the true boss sees everything. How? After lunch, we go outside and play a game where we toss a ball. Birds chirp as the lake water laps gently. My mom's hair blows in the breeze as she laughs as she misses a catch. I forget the terrifying parts for a while.

Then I see a little button, similar to the last one, shining alongside the water. My heart leaps. I conceal it in my pocket as I take it up. There was another person present. I keep it from them. I don't want to spoil the joy.

As night falls, a blazing fire keeps the home warm. With a gentle kiss on my forehead, my mother tucks me in. "Dreams of sweetness," she says.

I close my eyes and nod. The blanket is thick, the bed is comfortable. I'm trying to go to sleep, but my phone's gentle beep wakes me up. The screen is shining as I grasp it. A fresh message: Launa, nice cottage on the lake. However, the true boss is within you. My heart stops. I glance at the door, which has a gap open and a shadow creeping in.

As the darkness gets closer, I can make out Mr. Cole's face instead of the monster's, wi
th a knife in his hand and dark, menacing eyes.