Shiver by Lisa Jackson Read Free Book Online

she struggled.
    Panic rose inside her.
    She was running out of time. He wouldn’t drive forever. She kept at it, straining against the rope and tape while the miles, the damning miles, rolled past beneath the wheels of this big truck. They were driving farther and farther away from Baton Rouge. Farther and farther away from any chance she would be saved.
    Fear chilled her to the bone.
    Her arms ached, her legs were cramped and useless.
    Mama, I love you, and I’d wanted to make you proud by joining the order.
    Daddy, forgive me for being stupid and letting this maniac grab me. You warned me to always take my cell and never run after dark. You gave me a weapon and I refused it…I’m sorry…
    She felt the truck slow as he exited off a main road, probably a freeway, and so, he was, no doubt, getting closer to his ultimate destination. New terror surged through her and she frantically tried again to slide one hand from the grip of the duct tape. Her heart was knocking, sweat running down her body, fear sizzling down every nerve ending.
    Free yourself, Mary. God helps those who help themselves!
    “It’s no use,” he said, jolting her. He hadn’t said a word since the attack. Not one. His voice was surprisingly calm. Steady. Creating a fear that cut straight to her heart. “You can’t get away.”
    Again she thought she might throw up. Who was this madman? Why had he chosen her? His voice was unfamiliar, she thought, and yet she wasn’t certain of anything anymore. She was barely staving off full-blown panic.
    “Only a few more minutes.”
    Dear Father, no. Please stop this. Intervene on my behalf. If you want me with you, please let me come to you some other way, not by the hand of a sadist, not so cruelly, not by a madman.
    Trembling, she thought of all the martyred saints, how horridly they’d died for their beliefs. She tried to steel herself, to find her faith. If this was a test, or truly God’s will, then so be it. She would die stoically, putting all her faith in the Father.
    Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…
    She felt the truck slow, then turn quickly, as if maneuvering off a smooth road. The wheels began to jump and shimmy, as if going over stones or cracked pavement. She strained to hear over the grind of the engine, hoping for the sounds of traffic, for signs that they weren’t as isolated and alone as she feared. But the familiar rush of passing cars, of shouts, or horns had disappeared, and any hope she had left sank like a stone.
    Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus…
    For what seemed like hours, but was probably less than five minutes, he continued to drive, and finally, at last, he braked hard and the big rig slammed to a stop. She slid forward, then back.
    Her heart jammed into her throat. She began to quiver from the inside out. Terror slid through her veins.
    Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death…
    He cut the engine. Rain peppered the roof of the car. Mary could barely breathe. Amen.
    A door clicked open and she felt the sticky heat of the night seeping into the interior as he climbed outside. She heard the squish of his boots or shoes into the mud. Heard a thunk—the front seat being pulled forward?
    A second later she was dragged roughly out of the car.
    Her running shoes sank into deep loam and she nearly fell over. The musky odor of the swamp assailed her and she thought of snakes and alligators, merciless predators who were nothing compared to the monster who had abducted her. She squirmed, trying to wrestle away.
    “Stop moving!” he yelled and she felt a new fear. If he wasn’t afraid of speaking so loudly or sharply, they were alone…totally alone. Oh, God, this was it! She was going to die here in the darkness, in what seemed like a bayou of sorts. “I’m cutting your feet free, but if you try to run…” Again he pressed the muzzle of steel against her temple. “…I’ll kill