Page 47 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

Glass smashed inside the loft, and Annabelle started. She clung to Noah as a whooshing sound registered.

“Firebomb,” Rochelle snapped. “They’re on the fire escape. Go. Now!”

She fired her gun as she moved into the loft, out of Annabelle’s sight.

“You heard the boss. We need to get going. We’ll talk at the top of the stairs,” Noah said as he wrapped an arm around her.

He half carried her, half led her up the stairs.

Her brain couldn’t process what was happening fast enough. But her body was already in a tailspin. Tears streamed down her cheeks as it became increasingly difficult to control her breathing. By the time they reached the door to the roof, she was gasping for air in short, shallow breaths.

Annabelle stared at Abasi as he slid open the steel bar that secured the door. She’d never been through this door. Neveropened it. In fact, it had been years since she’d been this close to the roof door. There’d been no need to get this close. Because she’d never seen herself stepping outside into the wide-open space that made up the roof.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered that she was hyperventilating now. Dizziness made her disorientated, and the urge to run, or fight, or hide was overwhelming. Only Noah’s firm hold grounded her. And even then, it wasn’t enough to stop the panic from pulling her into the abyss.

More gunshots rang out below.

“R-Rochelle,” she managed to say.

Noah replied, “The team’s down there. She has backup. Our job is to take care of you.”

He turned to face her and put his hands on her shoulders again as he stared into her eyes. “Let me protect you. Trust me to take care of you. I can be your wall.” He motioned to the warehouse. “Brick and mortar. I can be a different kind of wall. All you have to do is stay close, and I’ll shelter you. I promise.”

There was a sharp pain inside of her where she was desperate to believe him. To believeinhim.

“No more time,” Abasi barked. “Take her out to the roof before it’s too late.”

As if punctuating the urgency, an explosion rocked the building, sending Annabelle into Noah’s arms. She clung to him and stared into his eyes, searching his face for reassurance, desperate to believe his promise as she felt cast adrift. Terrified. Lost.

“P-please,” she forced through chattering teeth. “D-don’t leave me.”

“Never.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tight against him. His back pressed against the door, swinging it open, and without hesitation, he rushed into the night.

Into the outside world.

Into the fear that’d controlled her for more than a decade.

The glow from the streetlamps illuminated the flat landscape of the warehouse roof. It might as well have been the surface of the moon as far as Annabelle was concerned. It felt just as alien as if she’d been propelled into space. Clouds reflected the yellow lights of the city, and the downtown skyline sparkled in the distance.

For a split second, she saw everything clearly and individually before the colors and lights blurred and swirled, blending together in one vast, overwhelming kaleidoscope of information.

“C-can’t b-breathe.” The words were strangled and lost in the rush to get to safety.

Sheknewit was Noah who held her, who carried her away from danger. Logically, sheknewthat this time, she was being taken to safety and not being stolen by men who intended her harm. But her emotions, her overwhelmed nervous system, couldn’t perceive a difference in the circumstances. All shefeltwas someone big, strong, and scary lifting her and taking her away. Stealing her from the security she’d come to depend upon. Changing her life forever.

Suddenly, she was back there.

It was late afternoon. The sun was sat low in the sky but still felt warm on her face. She smiled, amused by something her friend Sherie said during class. She was happy. Optimistic. Excited about life.

Then, a van stopped beside her on the road.

Annabelle didn’t think much of it until the side door slid open and two men in ski masks jumped out. For a moment, it didn’t seem real. And then they grabbed her. Her heavy bag, full of books, fell to the sidewalk with a thud. Arms wrapped around her. She drew in a deep breath and screamed. She kicked out, hitting nothing. A hand covered her mouth, silencing her.She breathed in leather and sweat. Faces stared at her. Other students. Frozen in horror as the van door slammed shut. Tires screeched, and a nauseating stench of oil and blood filled the air. She tried to reach the door, but the world tilted and spun around her. And then she slid to the metal floor of the van as everything faded to darkness.

Again.

Annabelle slumped against Noah, and he tightened his hold on her as he rushed to find cover. There weren’t many options—the stairwell housing, a large water tank, and an old chimney. He dodged around the loft skylights, heading for the chimney. When he got there, he sank down behind it, holding Annabelle close.

Seconds later, Abasi joined them just as Annabelle started to come around. She let out a moan as Abasi said, “There are too many ways they can get onto this roof.” His voice was low as he crouched, ready to shoot at anybody who came close. “They’re on the fire escape, but the building next door looks clear so far.”