Page 18 (1/2)

Dianne walked quickly through the woods, heading for the driveway and a clear view on the side of the truck where she had spotted twowhile they continued to shoot up her home Nealson held his breath as she cast the dead foliage When she ca the burning pain in his shoulder and ar and for an instant thought she tripped on a branch The loud growl as she fell to the ground and the feeling of soht, doubly so once she looked up and found herself staring into Nealson’s face

His bloodshot eyes stared down at her as she recoiled, turning her head from his rancid breath and body odor, and he sneered at her, keeping his pistol pressed firood hand and arh Dianne was terrified by hiust

“You really need to brush your teeth”

Without thinking, Nealson used his injured arrind his teeth together in pain Dianne choked back a laugh, suddenly incredibly amused by the situation

“Guessyou, eh? I bet that hurts”

The pistol dug deep into her teh her head “Bet this’ll hurt more Got any last words?”

A branch snapped behind Nealson and Dianne’s eyes flicked to the source, widening as her mouth fell open “…you?”

A single shot rang out through the woods and Nealson’s eyes rolled back in his head before he could turn to see what Dianne had spotted His lied forward, rolling off of Dianne as she pushed him to the side

She scrah the leaves and dead underbrush, shaking her head and , “no, no, no,” the whole ti she hit a tree that she pressed her back against, still shaking her head, unable to accept that the face she had seen in her dreams for what felt like eternity was finally real It was still a dream; it had to still be a drea far, far too much

But her dreams had never spoken to her At least not until now

“Hey babe,” the figure was caked in dirt and sweat and spoke with a crooked grin and tear-filled eyes “Miss me?”

Chapter 19

The Waters’ Homestead

Outside Ellisville, VA

Rick’s hand was rougher and older-looking than Dianne re over her wearing a pair of blue jeans and a thick jacket with a Capitol Police symbol emblazoned on the chest and shoulder She took his hand slowly, feeling its warmth envelop her own as Rick pulled her to his feet They stood there, standing and looking at each other for a long rabbed hiiven in his life