Chapter 7 - The Escape
Panic threatened to paralyze me, but rage was stronger. I wasn't going to be a victim in my own house.
I knew this basement better than he did. I crept toward the old coal chute window at the back. It was small, but I was desperate. I shoved the hard drive into my waistband.
As David’s feet hit the bottom of the stairs, a flashlight beam swept across the darkness. "Don't make this difficult," he growled, pulling a heavy crowbar from his jacket.
I scrambled up the dirt incline toward the window. I smashed the glass with the heel of my boot, ignoring the sharp pain as a shard sliced my palm. I squeezed through the opening just as David lunged into the crawlspace, his hand grasping wildly for my ankle.
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His fingers brushed my jeans, but I kicked out, my heavy boot connecting squarely with his jaw. I heard a satisfying crunch.
I scrambled out into the cold night air, sprinting across the backyard, vaulting the fence, and running toward the main road until my lungs burned. I didn't stop until I flagged down a passing patrol car.
