chapter 4

Terra felt she couldn't move as the big, black dog brushed against her legs, trying to separate the two. The man's mouth curled up slightly at the corners in a smirk as he saw the fear set in Terra's face.

She yelled at herself, knowing she needed to move. She had to survive this somehow. But her unresponsive limbs stayed as they were—useless.

Someone yanked her arm from behind and pulled her out of the trance. The pale man that was in front of her snarled and shot a blinding light from his hand, aiming it right at her stomach.

Terra was yanked again to the side as the ball of light came closer and it skimmed her arm, burning the flesh on her upper limb before bleeding into the air.

She finally felt her legs start to work again and stumbled as she started to run. The man holding her arm moved his fingers down and gripped her wrist, pulling her faster.

Terra instantly recognized him as the man who tried to get her to leave the streets.

They started moving, her legs falling into a pattern with the stranger.

Every time she took in a breath, she felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest. Terra felt tears prick her eyes but knew she couldn't stop, so she cradled her ribs with her free hand and kept running.

They bolted forward, running from the light man still sending light rays at them. She turned to see him and instantly regretted it as she saw the black dog jump on the white man chasing them and he yelled as teeth sunk into his flesh.

The tugging on her wrist brought Terra back to reality and she held back the bile rising in her throat. Her chest felt like it was exploding as she pumped her legs, tears and snot trailing down her face and she just wanted to stop, but then she reminded herself of the alternative and kept moving.

Desperate, she pressed on, running after the stranger who was persistently tugging her along.

They finally saw another building. The stranger hesitated only a second before darting into a small abandoned place, hiding in the night shadows.

He pulled open the door now falling apart and Terra darted in before he did and pulled the door closed behind them. Quietly, she saddled up the window to look out for the man trying to kill them.

The other man looking out for her safety came up behind Terra, looking over her shoulder. She assumed he was doing the same thing she was but was still hyper-aware of how close he was and how his labored breathing was matching her own.

Silently, they watched the creature hunting them down. The man held his shoulder, muttering curses as he walked by. He stilled suddenly, slowly turning his head in their direction.

Terra noticed the motion and ducked, her hand snagging her rescuer's jacket on her way down. He followed without restraint but was unsure if she actually pulled him or he also saw the speculation coming.

Terra winced as her crouched position sent another piercing pain through her chest. The man pressed a finger to his lips and lifted his head slightly, looking back out the window.

Terra bit her lip, drawing blood trying not to make a noise from the pain in her side.

She had to stand, and soon.

He nodded and stood, taking a step back from her and walking to the door and opening it. Terra's heart froze again before she realized there was nobody at the door.

Terra used her good arm and positioned it on the windowsill before hoisting herself up. She hated that she would let someone see her weakness, but she couldn't get up any other way without pain.

“What happened?” He asked, noticing the tears running down her face.

Terra reached up with her free arm and wiped her face. “Nothing.”

The man gestured to Terra to remove her arm, but she hugged it tighter to her chest and backed away. Terra tried to ignore the pain she got from pressing too hard on her ribs.

“That's not nothing,” he observed, watching her closely.

Terra glared at him and she hoped he could see it through the dark. “It is to you,” she spat back, needing to hide her weakness.

The stranger lifted his hands in surrender at her response but took a step closer to her. “My name is Logan. What's yours?”

“Also none of your business,” she returned, the pain in her side finally started to recede and she took in a grateful breath.

Logan's eyebrows sharpened and his look turned from concerned to angry. He dropped his hands and straightened his spine.

It did not escape Terra's attention that he was much, much bigger than she was, in all ways.

“Look, I'm trying to help you. But you're making it very difficult.”

“Then maybe you should stop. Thank you for helping me, but that is all I owe you.”

“You don't owe me anything. I'm just asking you a favor. You're hurt and need help. Let me offer it.”

Terra gasped as a shadow filled the door and she moved closer to the corner, away from the movement. She didn't like not being able to look outside, but being mauled by a vicious dog seemed worse.

Logan's attention shifted to the doorway and his shoulders sulked as his gaze landed on the black beast.

“Good boy, Buddy,” He cooed as the black ball of fur came and jumped on him, licking his nose on his hind legs.

“This is Buddy,” Logan declared, commanding the black beast to get down. He immediately obeyed and sat down, eagerly wagging his thick, dark tail.

Terra couldn't tell if she felt comforted or intimidated that this man could tame the beast she just saw attack someone. Granted, that other man did not mean them well, but it was still intimidating seeing such a vicious creature be controlled by a human.

Terra slapped her hand onto her front jean pocket, wishing yet again she had her switchblade. She left it at the hotel thinking she would just be a few minutes and only had cash on her. And that was no way to be able to escape from this man and his ferocious animal.

Terra moved closer to the window, braving being closer to the beast. It snapped its head in her direction and she sucked in an audible breath.

Logan snapped Buddy's name again and he once again glued his eyes on his master. “It looks like you're injured. Let me help.”

Terra shook her head vehemently and took another step to the window, this one smaller than the last. Buddy's attention stayed on Logan and Terra felt a little braver.

Logan eyed the open window, something flickering behind his eyes. “I know you don't want my help, but I really want to offer it. I can help you,” he promised, his eyes softening, but he made no move towards Terra as she sat on the window sill.

“The only way you can help me is if you leave me alone.”

With that, she swung her legs around the open window and slipped her body through the thin space with grace. Skillfully landing on her feet, she looked around for her attacker.

Terra sprinted, staying behind the houses this time, as she tried to remember her way back to the hotel. Everything looked wet from the recent rain, but still similar enough as she rushed through the streets.

She glanced back constantly, seeing if Logan would follow her. She let out a breath of relief when she did not see him once behind her.

_-_

Terra’s Father’s brows furrowed as he took another swig from the bottle in his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She swallowed. This was her least favorite part of this repetitive argument. “I did. I texted you during my break.”

Her head snapped so hard to the side she fell to the ground. Stinging erupted from her cheek and she held back a whimper. “Don’t treat me like I’m stupid! You did not! Do you hear me, Terra? YOU DIDN’T TELL ME!”

Furry spurted deep in her at the slap and she twisted her body so she could look up at him. Her courage left her as soon as she looked at him. Anger burned in his eyes and he took another gulp, trying to push all his emotions back.

She folded, tired of having this conversation that he doesn’t even remember in the morning. “I’m sorry, Father.”

A bottle exploded next to her and she jumped back at the small shards that invaded her space. The clear liquid was spewed all over the ground and she wrinkled her nose at the strong, unbearable stench of alcohol so close to her face.

“How am I supposed to believe you?” He sneered, yelling so loud Terra thought more glass would break. “I mean, look at who your mother is. You’re just like her!”

“No, Sir. I swear I was—”

“DON’T LIE TO ME! You’re just like her. I bet you were with that boy down the street. Marcus, is it?”

Tears sprung involuntarily to Terra’s eyes. Yes, he was a jerk, but he was still her father. And no matter how mean to me he was, his words still hurt. “I swear I was not with anyone.”

His booted foot slammed against her ribs and pain blossomed from the impact. All the air evacuated her lungs and she placed my hands beneath her, trying to gulp in as much oxygen as possible.

Terra heaved in heavy breaths and winced as her lungs were pierced from the no doubt forming bruise. Tears bloomed into her eyes harder and she couldn’t keep a few tears from slipping through.

A rough hand yanked her pathetic body up suddenly, nearly dislocating my arm from its socket in the process. Terra bit my lip and tried to push down the tears, but they continued to fall.

“Why are you so weak? My daughter is not supposed to be weak!” Her father boomed in her face. His words were slurred, but still distinguishable. “Why can’t you just be better? What did I do to deserve a daughter like you? God must be punishing me for letting my wife die.”

Terra’s father threw her to the ground like she was a rag. Her nose burned as more tears spurted to her eyes. She let out a pathetic whimper and wanted to smack herself. She knew better than to make a noise when she was getting punished.

Terra’s father looked down at her with disgust burning in his eyes. “Get out of my sight. I’m tired of looking at you.”

She hated being trampled over. But more than that, she was grateful to have the opportunity to get out of his sight. That means the punishment was finally over for the night.