Dangerous Delusion

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Maybe we should check the bathroom.” Lora opened the door.

  Kristy followed, and they moved around the small room tapping on the wall. Lora was about to give up when Kristy tapped the fork against the wall over the toilet. She did it a second time.

  “Bingo,” Kristy climbed up on top of the toilet.

  “Kristy, you need to be careful.” Lora stood behind her and held on to her waist.

  “We need to get out of here, and then I’ll be careful.” Kristy pounded the end of the fork against the sheetrock.

  When it didn’t do anything but make a dent, she cursed under her breath. She stepped down and proceeded to search the room.

  “If we can find something sharp we can cut through the wall, and get the hell out of here.” Kristy was frantic.

  “I doubt he left us a knife in here, but maybe we could use this.” Lora grinned when she found a metal shower rod behind the bathroom door.

  “I love you.” Kristy kissed Lora’s cheek, as both of them grabbed the end of the rod and proceeded to slam it against the wall over the toilet.

  For what seemed forever they pounded against the wall until they could get their hands through the opening. they used every bit of strength they had to pull the wall down.

  Lora’s heart jumped in her chest when she saw the small opening that was most definitely a window. The only issue was someone had boarded it up from the outside. The window itself was gone, but the wood that covered it looked to be secure.

  “I wonder how thick that is,” Lora said mostly to herself.

  “I’m sure if we keep going with the rod we’ll get through it.” Kristy picked the metal up again and pounded it against the board.

  “Maybe you should take a break, Kristy. I’ll do this.” Lora took the rod from Kristy.

  “I’m fine, but we have more weight behind it with both of us.” Kristy smiled.

  Lora learned a long time ago it was pointless to argue with an O’Connor. Especially the females. Every one of them were stubborn, but the most wonderful people she’d ever met.

  A bruise was forming on the left side of Kristy’s cheek where the man had slapped her. Bull would kill the man for hurting Kristy, and with the way Lora felt seeing the mark, she’d pay to watch.

  The anger gave her the strength she didn’t know she had and they pounded the board until they heard a crack. They stopped and looked at each other with huge smiles. With the adrenalin pumping through her body and knowing they were inches from freedom, it gave her all the strength she needed to keep going until the board snapped.

  Lora saw the slit, and they jammed the rod into it and used it as a fulcrum to pry half the board out of the way. The creaking of the nails pulling from the window frame was loud, and Lora prayed the guy really left. If he hadn’t, there was no way he didn’t hear what they were doing.

  The wood finally broke from the frame of the window, and they were able to push the second half out of the way. It was a small opening but certainly big enough for both Kristy and Lora to squeeze through the hole. Kristy hugged Lora and pushed her to climb up on the toilet.

  “Come on. You first,” Kristy said excitedly.

  “No Kristy, you first.” Lora tried to step back.

  “We are not having this argument right now. Get your butt out that window before that fucking doorknob comes back.” Kristy shoved her again, and Lora stepped up on the toilet.

  It was dark, but she scanned around to make sure nobody was outside waiting. Not that she could see much, but she wiggled through the opening and jumped to her feet. Once she was through, she turned around and helped Kristy climb out.

  They both crouched close to the house because Lora still not positive the man wouldn’t jump out at them. She grabbed Kristy's hand as she scanned the area.

  “Oh my, God,” Lora whispered.

  “What?” The panic in Kristy’s voice was evident.

  “This is the house where I grew up.” Lora turned her head to look at the house behind them.

  “Are you sure?” Kristy followed her gaze.

  “Positive.” Lora stood slowly.

  All the lights in the house were out, and she hoped that meant the guy really left. Lora glanced at her watch. It was a little after one in the morning. She didn't have a phone, and the closest twenty-four-hour gas station was about fifteen minutes down the road.

  “Do you know the neighbors?” Kristy asked hopefully.

  “I know everyone on this street,” Lora whispered.

  Even in the darkness, Lora knew how to make her way out of the back garden and between the homes to the front of the house. She kept a tight grip on Kristy’s hand as they slowly creeped around the side of the house.

  She looked up and down the street hoping to see at least one house with a light but from where she stood all she could see was darkness.

  “People in town certainly go to bed early.” Kristy’s attempt at a joke made Lora smile.

  “Not the places I lived after I moved out on my own.” Lora tugged Kristy toward the end of the driveway, and they ran by two houses when Lora breathed a sigh of relief.

  A man sat on the front step of his house oblivious to anything around him. Including the two women currently running toward his walkway.

  "Lora, stop." Kristy pulled her to a halt. "What if he's the guy?"

  Lora hadn't thought of it, but she knew the family who lived in the house and grew up with their kids. She stared at the man for a moment and recognized him right away. From the size of him, it wasn't her stalker.

  "Roman," Lora shouted as they ran toward him.

  “Lora Norris?” Roman Young smiled and stood up.

  He was an old friend of her brother and someone she trusted just as much. She didn't realize he'd returned to Newfoundland, but she'd never been so happy to see him.

  “Roman, we need your help.” Lora broke into tears as she and Kristy met him halfway up the walkway.

  “Jesus, what’s wrong?” He glanced at Kristy then back to Lora.

  “We need to get inside and use your phone.” Lora didn’t give him a chance to say anything as she pulled Kristy up the steps and yanked open the door.

  She knew the house as well as her old home, because she’d been in it thousands of times over the years. Their families spent plenty of time together when they were growing up.

  Lora looked around for a phone and when she didn’t see one she turned to Roman.

  “Your phone?” She sobbed.

  “Lora, what the fuck is going on?” He grabbed her by the arms, and she lost it.

  “Long story short. Lora was stalked. She moved to get away. He started killing people until he found her. He found her and took us to her old house because he’s out of his ever-loving mind and thinks he saved us. Satisfied? I'm Kristy O'Connor by the way. Lora is dating my cousin.” Kristy rambled as she wrapped her arms around Lora.

  “Okay. That was a lot of information to get in five seconds but here.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and put it in Lora’s hand.

  “Thanks.” Lora hiccupped as she tried to steady her hands to call for help.

  “You want to tell me where this guy is so I can go kick the shit out of him?” Lora couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as he shoved up his sleeves.

  “Thanks, but she’s about to call in the cavalry.” Kristy snorted.

  Lora put the phone to her ear and waited to hear the only voice that would let her know everything was going to be fine.

  He was pissed. The police had the one entrance to that stupid little town blocked off, and he wasn’t able to get to the old bastard’s house. They were stopping every car that went in or out.

  He really should have taken care of the man before he went through with his plan, but he saw his chance and took it. He was surprised the big ass went down so quickly. He'd heard bear spray was bad when sprayed in the face. He wanted to watch longer to see how long it took for the guy to come back to himself. He couldn't enjoy it because he co
uldn't take the chance of someone else showing up and preventing his rescue.

  He drove by the town entrance several times debating on whether to take the chance and go through the police barricade. He’d been careful up until that moment, and it would be a mistake to press his luck.

  There was nothing to lead them to the old man’s house. The only one that came there was that annoying teenager and even she’d stopped coming after the third time she got no answer. He was pretty sure the police wouldn't keep the town blocked off too long.

  He pulled into the side of the road where he could still see the flashing red and blue lights, but couldn't be seen by the police.

  “I’ll have to wait until they give up and realize they lost.” The sound of several sirens made him sit up straight, but since they all didn't leave, he still wasn't able to enter the town. He made his way back to town and to his love.

  Chapter 28

  Nick was sure his heart was beating a mile a minute as he waited for the forensic team to go through the pub and the diner. He paced the parking lot and watched his family knowing their expressions probably mirrored his own.

  Bull swerved into the parking lot with complete panic written all over his face. Bull had been in love with Kristy for years and they were only a month away from getting married. If anything happened to Kristy, it would destroy Bull. Nick knew how he felt.

  “If he hurts her…” Bull’s voice cracked. “I’ll cut him with razor blades and stick him in a tub of pure alcohol.”

  “I’ll fucking help you.” Nick leaned against the side of the building watching the fishing boats bobbing on the water.

  “She’s pregnant.” Bull closed his eyes and rested his head against the brick of the building.

  “Really?” Nick turned to look at Bull.

  “Yeah, we found out yesterday and wanted to keep it quiet until after the wedding.” Bull turned his head to look at Nick. “I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to her.”

  “I know what you mean. I swear my heart…” Nick’s admission was interrupted by the buzzing of his phone.

  He pulled it out of his pocket and when he didn’t recognize the number was about to let it go to voicemail. Then he thought about Keith at the hospital with Emily and answered.

  “Hello,” Nick held the phone to his ear and shoved his hand into his pocket.

  “Nick? Oh my God, Nick.” Lora's trembling voice echoed in his ear, and his heart practically jumped out of his chest.

  “Lora, where are you?” He met Bull’s wide eyes and held up his hand.

  “He took us,” Lora whispered.

  “Is he there?” Nick put the phone on speaker so that Bull could hear as well.

  “We escaped. He took us to the house I grew up in.” Lora sniffed. “We got out through a window and ran down the road until we …” Bull stopped her.

  “Lora, what’s the address?” He practically yelled.

  Lora gave him the address quickly, and Bull entered it into his GPS.

  “Lora, is Kristy okay?” Bull was unmistakably trying to sound tough, but his voice cracked.

  “She’s fine,” Lora whispered.

  “I’m here, Dean.” Kristy's voice echoed through the phone.

  She was probably one of very few that called Bull by his real name.

  “You sure, Kitten?” He asked.

  “Yes. Just get your asses out here and get us.” Kristy grumbled making both Nick and Bull chuckle.

  "That's my girl." Bull laughed.

  “Lora, we’re coming. Stay on the phone with me until we get there.” Nick and Bull ran toward Nick’s truck stopping long enough just to let everyone know the situation.

  In seconds several large pickup trucks, jeeps, and police cars followed him out of the parking lot. He couldn’t wait to pull her into his arms and never let her out of his sight again.

  It never took so long to drive into town as it seemed to take them to get to Lora’s old neighborhood. Ethan hopped in the truck with Nick because he knew exactly how to get to the house where they would find Lora.

  The entire drive into town, Lora and Kristy gave them a play by play of what happened and how they were able to escape. Kristy didn't seem as frightened as Nick expected. She almost seemed pissed that someone would try to lock her away.

  Nick pulled his truck in front of the house and shoved it into park. He didn’t bother to turn it off or close the door as he and Bull jumped out in front of the house and ran up the walkway. Kristy burst through the door first and ran right into Bull’s arms. Lora came through the door and only made it as far as the step when Nick had her wrapped in his embrace.

  “Baby, I’m never letting you go again,” He whispered as he tucked his face into the crook of her neck.

  “I’m not going to complain about that right now.” Lora cried and held onto him as if he'd disappear.

  “As much as this scene fills my heart with relief, we need to know where this guy is, and who the fuck he is.” Cory stood in the center of the walkway.

  “I don’t know who he is, and as far as I know, he left.” Lora turned to look at Cory, but she didn’t release her grip on Nick.

  “Can you describe him?” John asked from where he was hugging Kristy.

  “No, he wore a ski mask.” Lora sighed. “Oh... God... he shot… Hulk.”

  “We know, sweetheart.” Nick kissed the top of her head.

  “Is Hulk okay?” Kristy's voice trembled.

  “As far as we know he’s in surgery.” John glanced at Nick.

  The truth was, things were touch and go with Hulk, but Lora and Kristy were already upset. Giving them bad news would not make it easy to get the information they needed to catch the guy.

  Keith had called John to update the family on Hulk. His brother said the bullet had pierced Hulk’s lung, and he’d lost a lot of blood. Keith managed to get one of the doctors to keep him informed while Emily was in labor, but there hadn't been any news since then.

  The screech of tires drew everyone’s attention to the end of the road where a van did a U-turn and sped off.

  “I think that’s him. He had us in a Van,” Kristy shouted.

  Police cruisers spun on the road screeching tires as they sped after the van. Nick held Lora tightly against him and stepped into the house where Ethan’s friend stood in the doorway.

  While some of his fellow officers chased after the suspect, others made their way into Lora’s old home and were searching the house for anything to tell them anything concerning the guy.

  “Roman, I’m so sorry for taking over your house like this.” Lora sighed as the man brought in a pot of coffee.

  “Are you kidding? This is the most excitement I’ve had in my life.” He chuckled and refilled Nick’s cup.

  “You should come to Hopedale. There’s never a dull moment.” Kristy laughed.

  “Know anyone hiring a chef?” He chuckled.

  “I just might.” Kristy grinned.

  "Seriously, I'm glad I couldn't sleep tonight. Since Mom passed away, it's hard to get used to such a quiet house." Roman sat in an old rocking chair.

  "I was so sorry to hear about her passing." Ethan cupped Roman's shoulder and squeezed it.

  "Thanks. I came back when she got sick and decided I never wanted to leave the province again." Roman leaned back in the chair and wrapped his hand around his mug of coffee.

  Nick kept a close eye on Lora as she flinched every time someone came into the house. Kristy must have noticed too because she reached for Lora's hand and held it.

  The sun was rising as they pulled into her driveway. Sheila called every hour until they got home and wanted to meet them at the house. Lora talked her into staying at his parent’s house. They needed to get some sleep. Ethan stayed with Roman to catch up, but Nick figured Lora’s brother was hoping the asshole would return.

  The police were questioning several other neighbors through the morning. When they talked to the lady next door, she said a couple told her a
bout six months earlier they’d bought the house. They moved in one day and then disappeared. The next thing the woman knew the man showed up. She'd never seen the couple after.

  Lora and Kristy fell asleep in the truck on the way home, and when Nick dropped Bull and his cousin home, the large man carried Kristy into the house.

  Nick got out of the truck and opened the door. Lora was curled up on the back seat and only opened her eyes to give him a faint smile.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you tucked into bed.” Nick picked her up into his arms and carried her up the steps.

  Nick managed to get the door open without putting her down. He knew she felt drained because of the adrenalin rush. Nick had that feeling more times than he could count.

  Lora had dust and dirt on her clothes from where she and Kristy practically tore down a wall with their bare hands. Nick was sure she’d want to shower if she was more awake, but she could do that in the morning. At that moment, she needed to sleep.

  Nick carried her into the bedroom and helped her strip off the soiled clothes. After he tucked her into bed, she gave him a weak smile and reached for him.

  “Sleep,” Nick kissed her cheek.

  “Come to bed.” She yawned.

  “I want to check on some things, and I promise I’ll come in and hold you when I’m done.” He kissed her lips and backed out of the room.

  Nick pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the number for Keith. He’d received a text around four in the morning saying that Emily had an eight pound and three-ounce baby boy they named Patrick Sean O’Connor.

  Even though he was a little early, he was healthy and feeding perfectly, but it was hard for Keith to enjoy the birth of his son when one of his dearest friends was fighting for his life.

  “Hello,” Keith answered the phone on the first ring in a low whisper.

  “Hey, bro.” Nick pulled a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “What’s wrong?” Keith’s voice quivered.

  “Nothing, I just wanted to check on you, Emily and Patrick.” The events of the night took away from the family's joy of a new baby.