Desire (#5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    Then he backed away into the darkness.
    “Wait! Colin, please wait.” I crawled after him. I couldn’t see where he had gone.
    My heart thundered in my chest. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t go through with it. I needed to clear my mind.
    Think, Kate, think .
    Colin had led me in here, if I could just remember the turns we took, I’d be able to find the entrance to the cave.
    My head swam as I staggered towards the edge of the cave. I dropped the carrier bag and kicked it in disgust. What the hell had he put in those chocolates? Would the drugs affect the baby?
    I retched, emptying my stomach contents on the sand, then I crawled away on my hands and knees. I felt my way along the wall of the cave, searching for the opening. It seemed to take forever, but I finally found the small hole in the wall. Oh, thank God. I sobbed with relief.
    Still on my hands and knees, I inched forward, hoping I was heading in the right direction. The sharp rocks cut into my palms, but I pushed on. A few cuts on my hands were nothing compared to the possibility I might drown.
    The smell of rotting seaweed grew stronger. That was a good sign. Oh, God, please let me be going the right way. I tried to crawl faster, ignoring the biting sharp edges of the rocks.
    From a distant point up ahead, I could see a faint glow. Daylight? I sat up on my haunches, panting for breath. I didn’t think we went that way, but I couldn’t ignore the light. It might be my only chance to escape. I crawled forward towards the eerie glow.
    When I got there, I realised my mistake.
    The light came from a hole high above me. All around the rock surface was steep and slick. There was no way I could climb up to the hole.
    I hugged my arms tightly around my stomach. “I’m sorry, little one. I can’t get us out of here. I’m so sorry.”

5

    MY HEAD ACHED AND my mouth was dry.
    My head snapped up as I thought I heard a voice. I stayed motionless but heard nothing but rushing water. The disappointment churned my stomach.
    I trembled. My thick wool coat had soaked up water and hung heavily from my shivering shoulders. I pressed my hands to my forehead, trying to concentrate. I had to act quickly. Time was running out.
    Then I heard the voice again. It sounded like Tina. I shook my head. I must be delusional.
    “Kate?”
    It was Tina, and she was calling out for me.
    “Over here,” I shouted. “Help me. I’m trapped in a cave.”
    Her face appeared twelve feet above me. “Kate?”
    “Tina, I’m down here. I’m trapped! Go and get help. Call Benjamin. Tell him...”
    The words died in my throat as I saw my sister roughly yanked away.
    “Nooo!” The word left my mouth in an unnatural howl as Colin’s face appeared where Tina’s face had been.
    “Eat the chocolates, Kate,” he snarled. “You’re not getting out, and thanks to your actions, now I’ll have to dispose of Tina, too.”
    “No? Tina? Tina?” I screamed, but there was no answer. Instead I could hear sounds of a struggle above ground.
    I tried to climb the sheer rock face, out of my mind with panic.
    Not my sister too, what was he going to do with her?
    The jagged rocks tore at my hands, and eventually I gave up, cradling my blood-streaked fingers.
    I tried calling out again. Surely, Mrs. Wicker must have noticed I was missing by now. When I didn’t turn up to help her with the cake stall she would call Benjamin, wouldn’t she. Oh, God, I hoped so.
    I don’t know how long I sat there, huddled against the rock, shivering with cold and fear. The sedatives were still making me woozy.
    I heard Benjamin’s voice. “Kate. Are you down there?”
    I looked up to see Benjamin’s beautiful face staring down at me. He wasn’t real. I shook my head. He couldn’t be real.
    “Colin is trying to kill us,” I said.
    “Kate, listen to me. I’m going to come and get you, all right?”
    I stared up at him dumbstruck.
    “Stay with me, baby. I’ll get you.”
    Then he was gone. Tears