Page 95 of Keeping Kara

At some point in the last day or so, she’d realized that he’d probably changed his name several times. It was likely one of the ways he was able to stay under the police’s radar. That, and he moved around a lot, so the detectives investigating the deaths of the other women he’d killed didn’t make the connection between him and his other victims.

He was smart…but Arrow was smarter.

Kara had no doubt.

All she needed was time.

But how much of it she had left was the big question.

Her body was weakening, but not her resolve to outwit, outplay, and outlast Nolan. She wanted to laugh at her mental reference to the popular reality show. Not that it was reality, she’d seen pictures of how many cameras and crew members were constantly around the contestants. Deserted island? Hardly.

And how many of those supposedly tough people would be able to do what she was right now? She was the Survivor Champion of the World.

Kara was aware her mind was wandering but was unable to stop it. She wanted to giggle but kept her face expressionless, not wanting to antagonize Nolan. She was at his mercy, and the only thing keeping her alive right now was his desire to see her suffer. And if he thought she wasn’t suffering enough, he’d be sure to remedy that.

“You know, I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a very long time, but now that it’s here…I’m bored,” Nolan said after a while. He stood up and began to fold the blanket he’d slept on.

Kara’s heart sped up. No. No, no, no, no. She wasn’t ready to die. Arrow hadn’t found her yet. She needed more time! Wanted to know if Jen had made it, and if she had, give her a huge hug. She wanted a future with Arrow. Wanted to see Laryn’s babies after they were born. Meet Arrow’s mom. There was so much she wanted to do.

Nolan turned to face her with his hands on his hips and a glare aimed in her direction. “I’m not sure you’ve learned your lesson. I think you’re too calm.”

Calm? She wasn’t calm at all. “Please,” she choked out, desperate to keep him at bay.

“Yeah, begging is good,” Nolan said with a slimy smile. “More of that.”

Even though it hurt to talk, she did exactly what he wanted. “I’m sorry for trying to break up with you. You were the best thing that ever happened to me, and I didn’t see it.”

For a moment, she thought her sucking up was actually working. That he was falling for it.

Then Nolan scowled and screamed, “Too fucking late!”

Kara jerked in surprise, then gagged as the rope cut into her throat.

He grinned. “Oh, now that I like,” he said, his tone normal once more.

When he stepped toward her, Kara knew her time was up. She should’ve realized he’d lied about waiting for her to fall asleep, killing herself in the process. Everything that ever came out of his mouth was a lie. Why would this be any different?

It wasn’t fair.

She’d been having such a good run of good luck, and this was how it ended?

This sucked!

Nolan stalked toward her and reached for the rope around her neck.

No, that’s not what he was doing. He wrapped a hand around her throat and pushed her hard against the wall, cutting off what little air she was getting into her lungs.

“I want you to beg while you die, slut.”

Please.

No sound escaped her throat, but he obviously read her lips.

“More,” he ordered.

Kara jerked in his grip, but she was completely defenseless. She had no use of her hands and all she could do was stand there as he strangled her.

Just when she thought that was it, she was dead, his fingers loosened. He didn’t remove his hand from around her throat, but he wasn’t squeezing anymore.