Chapter 167: Raven’s peak

Third person

Matt seemed to ponder for a moment before he exhaled deeply. Then he moved over to the table and picked up a small knife. He began cutting the ropes.

His jaw clenched at the red mark the ropes left on her skin, a pang of guilt coursing through him. He'd done this to her, he thought. “Do you need me to get you anything from the store?”

Finally untied, Valerie examined her free hands and legs, a sense of relief and determination washing over her. “No, thanks.”

“I'll be back soon.” He gave her a warning look. “Don't try anything stupid.”

She nodded vigorously. “I wouldn't dare.”

Satisfied, Matthew turned around and headed out.

Valerie had her timid and innocent mask on, until the moment Matthew was out of view.

She squeezed her eyes shut and then began counting from one to fifty in her head, giving Matthew enough time to leave the premises. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the locks click behind him.

When she was done, she sprang to her feet, her eyes desperately searching for an escape.

She had to escape, and she had to do it now. This was her only chance before Matt takes her to God-knows-where.

With her jelly feet, she stumbled towards the door, her legs weak and numb from sitting for too long. She grasped the handle, pushing it with all her might. But it wouldn't budge. She kicked it hard, her foot throbbing in pain.

Still, it wouldn't open.

"I must have been crazy to think I could push down a locked door," she sighed out frustratedly.

But she didn't relent, she couldn't afford to. Valerie's eyes scanned the bunker, her mind racing anxiously, her breathing laboured from the door she'd just tried to bring down.

Her eyes found the ventilation shaft. It was her only hope. She dragged a chair underneath it, her body trembling with exhaustion. She climbed onto the chair, her hands grasping the rusty pipe. Then she forced herself up, even though her muscles screamed in protest.

Even though that small voice of reasoning in her head told her there's no damn way she'll fit into that tiny space, she still disregarded it and tried to squeeze through the narrow opening.

Right now, her heart was racing at a mile per minute. Her mind was reeling, she knew she was running out of options.

“No, no, please… Let me fit in.” She murmured those words so hopefully as though the space would magically become bigger if she said them.

It was no use.

She slid back down, her body crashing onto the chair. She sat there, defeated, panting, her chest heaving with exhaustion.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she realized she was doomed. This was the end. She'll be trapped with a psychopath.

Her son would be lost forever. She'll never have her happy ending with Lucas. Why do bad things keep happening to her??

Wait, Lucas, she recoiled. Lucas… Her necklace. She looked around the place again… Like really looked at it, her eyes scanning the cramped space. "A fucking bunker," she muttered to herself. "No wonder they can't find me."

But…

But… if she could get it out, then maybe he'll be able to find her. Her body may not be able to pass through the ventilation shaft but her necklace certainly can.

Immediately, she sprang to her feet, the wave of hope and excitement gave her newfound strength. Her legs shook beneath her, but she didn't feel the pain as much. There was a possibility of escape!

She carefully unhooked the necklace sitting underneath her shirt. Val put her hand through the narrow opening and threw the diamond out, watching as it reflected the morning sunlight.

Then she plopped back on the chair, her eyes pressing shut as she prayed to whoever might be listening. "Please, let it work," she whispered, her voice trembling with faith.

Matthew walked into the drug store, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily. He was in disguise, wearing a face cap and sunglasses to avoid detection.

He walked over to the counter. “I need something to stop nausea.”

The blond-haired woman behind the counter sized him up. “Is it for you?” She was in her mid thirties but the type of eyeglass frame that she opted for, made her look older.

“No, not me,” he responded simply. The woman's eyes widened slightly in a way that told him she needed more information before she could recommend anything.

“Uhm, It's… it's for my wife,” he murmured. ‘Wife’? He liked the sound of it. Very soon, very soon, he chanted inwardly.

She nodded, and shifted her eyes to the computer in front of her, her fingers moving on the keyboard. “Is she pregnant?”

“Uhm, no.” The question took him off guard. He hadn't thought about it. What if she was pregnant? No, Matt shook the thoughts away. She can't be.

She threw him a quick glance. “Anything else?”

“Loss of appetite and she's been feeling weak,” he answered.

“She might have to see a doctor you know, but for now I'll give you something that'll help,” she explained, already moving away to get him some pills.

Just then, two policemen entered the store. Matt immediately adjusted his cap and looked away, his feet already moving away to take cover at a corner.

One of the policemen pulled out his comm device. He listened for a moment before he turned to his chubby colleague. "We've got a signal.”

The other man arched his brows. “Where?”

“Somewhere around Raven's peak,” came the sharp reply. “Let's go.”

Matthew's heart skipped a beat. Somewhere around Raven's peak? How did they know where she was?

His fists clenched so hard, his knuckles turned white. Fuck! Valerie!! He groaned internally. He knew that he shouldn't have trusted her, he'd been so stupid.

The officers rushed out of the store and Matt followed shortly after. He needed to get there first and he would, since he knew the exact location.

“Sir, your pills,” the woman called as scurried out of the store, but Matt didn't even spare her a glance. He jumped into his car and pulled into the highway, his leg pressing the accelerator until he was way above the speed limit.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened, anger coursing through his veins. That damn bitch!! How could she?