Read Online Come Undone by Jessica Hawkins - Free Book Online Page B

see the
emotions battling on his face; anger, lust, fear, longing. I recognized them as
my own. I knew if I didn’t escape immediately, I never would, and so, with
everything I had, I yanked my arm from his grasp and ran up the stairs, leaving
him there to watch me flee.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 7
     
     
    AS I EXITED THE STAIRWELL ,
it was everything I could do not to burst into tears. Over the years I had
studied composure as though I were being graded on it, and I reproached myself
for losing control. His reaction was unexpected, and it had rattled me. I held
my purse to my side and hurried along, desperate to climb into my bed, thankful
that it would be alone.
    I walked as I attempted to hail a cab, but it was quiet in the way
that Sunday nights can be. The night replayed in my mind as I tried to figure
David out. Questions filled my mind; questions for him, questions for myself.
Questions, I realized, that might never get answered.
    He compelled me with his every word and movement, otherwise why
would I have agreed to see him? Since our moment in the theater, whatever it
was that drew me to him grew more tangible. And nothing positive could come
from that.
    I was surprised to look up and see my apartment building ahead.
I’d walked all the way back without even realizing. Just then, the sound of
glass breaking against the concrete made me jump. I kept my eyes forward and
focused on the final destination. I had enjoyed the dusky walk to the bar, but
now I realized how dark it was and how late it had become. My ears pricked when
I thought I heard footsteps behind me.
    “Hey.”
    Bill had always told me, nonchalantly, not to pay the bums any
mind, and they’d leave me alone. I’d never seen any on our block, but then
again I was rarely out this late by myself. I hastened my pace, feeling less
brave than usual in my vulnerable state.
    “Hey!” a male voice called aggressively.
    I ignored the plea, but the phantom footsteps quickened behind me.
Cursing my choice of footwear, I vowed to wear tennis shoes everywhere going
forward. My thoughts blurred surreally when I realized that there was, in fact,
someone right behind me. Fishy fingers grasped at my elbow – fleetingly
at first and then, as he missed, more forcefully. He pulled me in the same spot
that David had, but his grip was harsh and unrelenting, causing me to wince. He
jerked me back to him, and the stench of alcohol and stale cigarettes filled my
nostrils. Looking him over, I realized that he was not a bum at all, but a
young man in an oversized hoodie and sagging jeans. The revelation did nothing
to calm me. He was short and stocky with disheveled glossy hair and an
alarmingly sinister expression.
    “Does the name Lou Alvarez mean anything to you?” he slurred,
tightening his grip over my twitching muscles. Misty and distant eyes betrayed
his state of mind.
    “Let go,” I commanded with feigned confidence and pulled my arm.
    “Mmm,” he moaned and, against my neck, said, “you smell like
flowers.” He leaned in and closed his eyes, taking a deep whiff.
    Seeing nowhere to turn, I lifted the purse I’d been clutching with
my free hand and smacked him in the temple with all my strength.
    He cursed loudly, and I wrenched my arm away. I took a step before
he caught me again and squeezed my arm so powerfully that I fell to my knees.
    “Olivia,” he snarled and my breath caught in my throat. Fear
surged through me hearing my name from his mouth. His distant eyes became clear
and menacing as he bared his teeth at me. “It is Olivia, right?”
    “Who are you?”
    He leaned in close to my ear and said, “I’m here about my brother
Lou.”
    “What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
    “Bill will know,” he said, releasing me with an emphatic push.
    I took no time to ruminate on his comments or catch my breath. I
ran to my complex without stopping or checking to make sure he didn’t follow.
Once inside, I bolted the lock and leaned against the