One Night More by Clara Bayard Page A

noise of the road faded, the thrum of the engine disappeared. All I heard was my breathing and the soft rasp of carpet coming free.
    It took a few terrifying minutes, but the fabric slowly came up without ripping. I folded it over for better leverage and kept going. Finally it was free. I shifted my body over against the back of the trunk and squirmed to hold the folded carpet underneath me.
    In the corner on the driver's side, barely visible, there was a cable running from the trunk back into the car. It had to be the right thing. My only chance. I gripped it tightly and tugged. Again and again. Harder and harder. For the longest time I only succeeded in making my fingers burn and my wrist ache.
    But eventually, after a million years, the cable shifted barely enough to get my fingers underneath it. That half an inch felt like a mile. I curled my hand into a fist and pulled again. Now, with better leverage and a tighter grip I could feel it loosening. Feel my chance of escape growing.
    My heart was beating so fast. My blood rushing as if it too wanted to be free.
    I gritted my teeth and pulled again. The car slowed and pulled to a stop. This was my moment. With every bit of strength and determination I had left, I yanked the cable towards the front of the car. I heard a quiet snapping sound and saw the most wonderful thing.
    A line of light grew brighter and thicker as the trunk popped open. It was only a few inches, but to me it was the entire world.
    Knowing I'd have scant seconds, I burst up, shoving the lid out of my way. It didn't matter that I was barefoot and only wearing a bathrobe. I didn't care who might be coming after me. All I knew was they weren't going to take me again easily. If I died running, so be it. I would never be trapped again. Never be helpless again.
    I clambered out of the trunk, blinked at the bright sun shining over me and ran. I barely registered the street below me and the sidewalk next to me. A car honked but I ignored it, fleeing as fast as I could.
    Darting around a truck, I finally looked up to see where I was. As I'd thought, the end of the parkway that ran northwest out of the city. The river was across three lanes of traffic and down an embankment. I went the other way; keeping stopped cars between me and the one I'd left, hoping they couldn't see me.
    Within seconds I heard raised voices and knew they – he, whoever – were looking for me. Thank goodness for insane traffic. I weaved between the cars, wanting more space before I hit the sidewalk. There was a café not far away and I could see people standing outside.
    A crowd was exactly what I needed. And a way out of the street unseen.
    Going on pure instinct, I slipped between an SUV and a cherry red sports car and made my move. My feet slammed against the ground and my robe nearly came undone as I ran faster than I ever had before. As the front of the café and its shocked-looking patrons came within reach I dared a glance over my shoulder.
    Two men in black jackets were following my path. One held his hand in his pocket, the other spoke into a cell phone.
    I said a silent prayer that they wouldn't hurt anyone else and plunged ahead. I shoved between the line of people outside and slipped past the door of the café.
    Someone laughed and said, "No shirt, no shoes, no service."
    I ignored him and kept moving until I was next to the counter. A middle-aged woman stood there, gawking at me. "Honey, what the hell?"
    "I need to use your phone. It's an emergency."
    "Clearly," she replied, completely calm. For some reason that made me feel better.
    "Phone?"
    "I've got my cell or there's a landline in the office in the back."
    I looked outside. The men chasing me weren't in sight for the moment. "In the back, please."
    She nodded and wiped her hands on a towel. "Follow me."
    I adjusted my robe to cover me a little better and walked behind her, sweeping my gaze around the room. Most people seemed vaguely amused. Life in the city. Only actual