Thanks so much to mozzi-girl, HopelessRomantic1994 and DizzyRedhead for the reviews :D
Walking over to Mal's car, I tug at the handle for a moment, and when I find it locked I look at him expectantly. He pats his pockets, looking for his keys for a moment before saying "I left my keys upstairs".
I pull the thin jacket I'm still wearing from work tighter around me, and despite the fact that I want to go with him to find another one, the need to leave as soon as possible outweighs it. "I'll wait out here".
"I'll be right back".
I nod, leaning against the sleek frame of the car as I wait for him to return. I watch his form disappear into the darkness, and as he enters the warm building a shiver runs down my spine. A few minutes pass. Then a few more. My ears go numb, and I decide to go in after him, hoping that he hasn't lost his keys.
That's when I hear the sound of an engine roaring, the noise an old vehicle would make. I look around for the source, but they must be around the back of the building, because I don't see them. Who else could be up at this hour?
I walk around back, keeping my eye out for Mal should he return. As I round the corner I see an old pick-up truck, the shadows of two forms barely visible. Maybe it's my imagination…but I think I see a something shiny being held to the head of one of the figures inside.
My stomach drops as I glance up to where the window of my apartment is, searching for the non-existent shadow of Mal. The light is on, but there's no movement inside that I can see. I glance back to the truck one last time, noticing the lack of license plate on the back.
"Stop!" I scream, reaching for my gun before I realize I left it back at home. Swearing under my breath, I sprint full-out to the vehicle as it pulls away, barely able to grab the edge of the tailgate before it takes off at full speed. I hold on for my life, my leg dragging painfully behind me as it pulls out onto the street. I try to stand up, but the speed is already too much. I grit my teeth against the pain, trying with all my might to pull myself onto the back. If Mal's in there…I can't lose this truck. I can't.
The truck flies over a speed bump as it races out of the parking lot, jarring every bone in my body. My fingers slip and I go flying back, landing painfully on the pavement. The breath is knocked right out of me as I throw my arms out in front of me for protection, gasping for air.
By the time I recover and look up the truck is gone, leaving me alone in the cold and empty parking lot. I slowly try to pick myself up, knowing my next best bet is to get help as soon as I can. But the second I move every bone in my body aches, and pain jolts up my left leg like an electric charge. Nothing feels broken, but my leg still burns painfully. I reach down to feel the fabric of my pant-leg torn to shreds from the knee down, and blood oozes from between my fingers as I touch my stinging calf. It takes every bit of my remaining strength to get up after that and slowly drag myself back into the building.
I resist looking at my injury before I get back to my apartment, knowing the moment I see it it'll feel a lot worse. The raw skin screams as I force myself up the steps, and by the time I reach the still-ajar door I nearly collapse inside. I manage to make it to the couch before I look down.
The side of my leg is angry red and partially brushed away, slowly oozing blood. Pieces of gravel stick out from the skin, and as I reach down to brush away a small piece I nearly scream. I'm just about to get up and call for help when I notice a note tacked to my door.
'Are you willing to kill to save the one you love?'.