Sanctuary by Pauline Creeden Read Free Book Online Page B

secure the door?”
    The manager pushed a table in front of the glass door.
    “Yes, I think it’s as secure as we can make it.”
    “How many people are with you?”
    Brad looked up and counted just the four of them. He debated whether to count the man on the sidewalk since he wasn’t inside. “Five including the injured party, but he’s outside the door.”
    “Normally we would not want to move the injured party, but I…” Lisa trailed for a moment and her voice became muffled, like her hand was over the receiver. When she came back on, she said, “With the danger still present, is there any way you could get him inside?”
    Brad swallowed hard. He really didn’t want to go out there, but he knew he should. The rumbling in his chest faded to a more tolerable level, and Clarissa’s whimpering grew louder. “I guess I could try.”
    “Please do, sir.”
    Trying to pull out of Clarissa’s grip proved impossible. Brad took her by the shoulder and said, “Here, Rissa. Take the phone and talk to the nice lady from 911. Her name is Lisa.”
    “Lisa?” Clarissa’s brown eyes brimmed with tears, but she released her hold and took the phone. She placed it against her ear and gave a shaky, “Hello?”
    Brad marched over to the manager with purposeful strides. “Unlock this. We’ve got to go get that guy in here.”
    “Are you kidding me?” The mousey manager pulled his stare from the window, and his long nose scrunched as he spoke.
    “No, I’m not. If one of those lions comes back, it could kill him, and right now he’s just injured.”
    “If one of those lions comes back, it could kill me.”
    Even though the guy was right, he didn’t think he could conscience it if the man outside died.  The manager, Steve’s cowardice, only solidified Brad’s resolve. “Look. Help is already on the way. He’s only six feet from the door. We have to go get him.”
    “If help is on the way, they can go get him.”
    Anger welled up, and Brad clenched his jaw. He was a full six inches taller than the manager. He stepped closer using his six foot two bulk for intimidation. “I said...we need to get him inside.”
    The manager cowered and rubbed his hands through his greasy black hair, mussing it up. “I can’t go out there, man. I know I’ll piss myself.”
    Shaking his head, exasperated, Brad finally succumbed. “All right. I’ll go get him. You just unlock this door,” he said, as he grabbed the table.
    Steve nodded.
    As a second thought, Brad added, “And if you decide not to let me back in, I promise you that I will throw that metal trashcan out there into the window. I’d like to see you keep the lions out then.”
    Swallowing hard, Steve nodded and grew pale. Brad could tell that locking him out was exactly what Steve considered. The table leg scraped against the tile floor and set his teeth on edge. Brad looked up at Clarissa whose mascara made trails down her face. She’d never looked as unattractive to him as right now.
    The bolt clicked as Steve turned it. Brad took a couple deep breaths and psyched himself.  Nothing chases away fear as fast as anger. He tightened his fists until his trimmed fingernails bit into his palms. Whatever those lion things were, they were in his way. His mouth felt dry. When his eyes rested on Steve, he channeled his anger at the manager, too. He felt the urge to punch the mousy manager but nodded his head instead. Steve pulled the door open, and Brad bolted out.

     
     

     
     
     
    The wind picked up th e moment he stepped outside. The fear caused sweat to trickle between his shoulder blades. His heart raced in his chest, and he measured the distance between the door and the man lying on the ground by the metal trashcan on the sidewalk.
    Papers danced in the wind above the open briefcase. The man’s pale fingers gripped the handle tighter than necessary. The man sobbed and moaned but didn’t move from the awkward position the monster had left him in.
    “Sir?” Brad