Chapter 11: Ethan's Surprise

The clapping of Lisa's heels echoed through the parking garage. She peered around cautiously, hoping to catch sight of Jackson nearby. As much as she had feared him, her fear of Ethan was a thousand times worse. Lisa slowed her strides, panic beginning to fill her. Jackson said he would be there when she left work, but he was no where to be found.

"Hello, Lisa."

Lisa gasped, stopping dead in her tracks. There in front of her stood Ethan, tall and impending. He had appeared so quickly as if he had materialized from the air. Lisa stared, horrified by his presence, but a small twinge of satisfaction warmed her at the sight of the burns on his face.

"Ethan," she said, a slight shake in her voice. She gulped, striving to steady herself.

"Why did you run out on me, Lisa?" he asked, taking a dangerous step forward. Lisa found herself slipping backwards at every advance he made.

"I am so sorry, Ethan," she replied, mustering up sympathy. "You scared me when you started talking about Jackson Rippner. I didn't know what to do."

"I'm sure you didn't."

Lisa trembled inwardly at the maliciousglare Ethansent her. She knew her pitiful excuse wasn't convincing him, but it seemed by the tone of his voice that he had something planned for her. Whether it was to take her or kill her, Lisa didn't want to find out.

"How did you get away from Rippner?"

Lisa blinked, caught off guard."What?"

"That was Rippner who abducted you from outside my apartment that night. How did you get away?"

Her mind raced for an explanation, though nothing she'd say would be suffice for this psychopathic killer. A sudden coolness fell over Lisa, her confidence rising. She had asinking feeling that something had happened to Jackson. She decided then that she'd beat Ethan even if she had to do it alone. A smile curled her lips and she stepped closer to him. "I can beat Jackson at any game he dishes out. I did it last time. I did it this time."

Ethan observed her emotionlessly for a long moment, his dark eyes boring into Lisa's. Then asatisfiedsmile broke his face. "That's my girl." He gestured for her to come by his side. Lisa hesitated, but knew she had to play along and went to him.Ethan's arm snaked around her waist. "You'd be happy to know that I have a surprise for you."

He led her passed several vehicles to a dark, secluded corner in the parking garage. "Wait here." Ethan left Lisa at thefront bumper at the car she recognized as his own. She rubbed her arms even though it wasn't cold. Different ideas were going through her head as to how to take Ethan down. If she had to get in a vehicle with him then there was no turning back. Something had to stop him from taking her.

Lisa was so busy in her thoughts that she didn't notice what Ethan was doing. He had pulled something large and struggling from the backseat of his car. When he called her name, Lisa snapped back into the present and gaped at the person kneeling, bound and gagged, before her. She couldn't see well in the dim lighting, but she knew who it was. " Jackson," she said to herself.

Ethan stood behind Jackson, nabbing a handful of dark hair and yanking Jackson's head back.Ethan leaned in close to his rival's face. "I finally caught you, Jackie Boy," he spat. "I will enjoy every moment of disposing of you." Jackson growled through his gag and twisted against the ropes around his wrist, but they were too tight to loosen. Ethan straightened up, striding over to Lisa and whispering in her ear,"It will give me the utmost pleasure to see you end him."

A gun suddenly appeared in Ethan's hand, holding it out for Lisa to take.

Sorry for the short chapter…again! My attention span for writing long chapters sucks hosewater and I enjoy any cliffhanger I can churn out. I promise the next chapter will be the last, and it won't take long to post. Hang with me, folks!