Chapter 2

The wind screamed past my ears, cutting at my face like knives.

Only one thought filled my head.

Faster. Faster.

I tore down the street until the intersection finally came into view.

Once I got past it, two more blocks and I'd be at my complex.

But of course, at that exact moment, the crosswalk light blinked twice and flipped to a harsh, glaring red.

I stamped in place, frantic.

"Beep beep."

A red sedan pulled up smoothly in front of me, the passenger window sliding down.

It was Debbie Finch.

A coworker from my old company, and once my closest friend.

"Aggie? Why are you standing here drenched in sweat?"

Debbie looked me over, taking in the state of me.

"What happened? Get in, I'll drive you!"

I yanked the door open and climbed in.

"Hurry, my complex, as fast as you can!"

Debbie made a sound of agreement, but the car only crawled forward.

"Oh no, looks like there's some traffic up ahead."

She turned the wheel with one hand and glanced over at me.

"Aggie, what's going on? You look scared out of your mind."

"Where's Russ? Isn't he off today, home with Little Bo?"

My head snapped toward her. Russ had told me he'd gone to the office to work overtime.

I forced down my hammering heart. "He forgot to turn off the gas. I need to go check."

"Oh, is that all."

"Honestly, that's not like Russ. He's usually so careful. How would he slip up on something like that?"

"But don't panic too much. Maybe he already went back and shut it off."

The car stayed at thirty. I was going out of my mind, and I reached for the wheel.

"Can you please go faster! My son is in there!"

Debbie slammed on the brake, and the momentum threw me forward.

"Aggie, what are you doing! That's dangerous!"

She clutched her chest.

"I'm doing you a favor here. Are you saying my driving isn't good enough for you?"

"If you think I'm too slow, then get out and run yourself."

I was about to lose it when the warning cues drifted past my eyes.

【Don't turn on her.】

【She's five months pregnant with Russ's child.】

【She came here today to block you on purpose, to keep watch on you.】

Every drop of blood in me froze in that instant.

Debbie. The woman who plastered her feed with "single by choice" and "independent woman."

She was the mistress Russ had been keeping on the side.

I pulled in a deep breath, covered my face, and broke into sobs.

"Deb, I'm sorry, I'm just losing my mind here."

"If anything happens to Little Bo, I won't want to live either. Please, please, can you go a little faster?"

I cried, and through the gaps between my fingers I watched her.

Debbie looked at me weeping, and the corners of her mouth curved up on their own.

"Oh, don't cry. I'll go as fast as I can."

She turned the car straight into a very narrow alley in the old part of town.

"Ugh, they're doing roadwork on the main road up ahead. I'll cut through this back way."

The car slowed to a crawl, and my despair hit its peak.

I watched the minutes tick away on the dashboard clock.

The image kept flashing through my mind of Little Bo's little face turning purple from lack of air.

The tears wouldn't stop.

Finally, after that endless torment, the car dragged itself to the gate of my complex.

Before it had even fully stopped, I threw the door open and ran through the gate without looking back.