Ignoring the survival instincts screaming at me to flee, I turned the snowmobile around, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I had to help Ricardo, whatever the cost.
I burst back into the clearing, the snowmobile's headlight cutting through the darkness. I saw Ricardo struggling with Terrence, both men locked in a violent struggle. Terrance had Ricardo in a choke hold. My world seemed to slow down, every detail etching itself into my memory: Terrance's twisted grin, Ricardo's strained face, the gun lying discarded in the snow.
Without thinking, I gunned the snowmobile, aiming it directly at Terrence. He didn't see me coming until the last second. I slammed into him, sending him flying backward into a snowdrift.
I jumped off the snowmobile, my legs shaking. Ricardo clutched his throat, gasping for air.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice trembling.
He nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Get out of here, Hailey! I'll deal with him."
But I was done running. I picked up the discarded gun, my hands surprisingly steady. I pointed it at Terrence, who was struggling to his feet.
"Stay away from us," I said, my voice firm despite the fear that gnawed at me. "I won't let you hurt anyone else."
Terrence laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You think you can stop me, little girl? I've dealt with worse than you."
He lunged at me, but I was ready. I fired the gun, the bullet hitting him in the shoulder. He cried out in pain, clutching his wound.
"I'm warning you," I said, my voice cold. "Leave and never come back. If you do, I'll kill you."
Terrence stared at me, his eyes filled with hatred. Then, with a snarl, he turned and disappeared into the woods.
I lowered the gun, my body trembling. I had shot someone. I had almost killed someone again.
Ricardo put his hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. "You did what you had to do," he said, his voice gentle. "You protected yourself and your baby."
We got back on the snowmobile, leaving Terrence behind. It was silent and cold. Every sound was scaring me, what if he came back? What if someone else came for me while I was here? What if I killed my baby because of Terrence.
As we drove to the cabin to get supplies and leave. I had to leave before he came back. I had to go somewhere he would never find me.