Love Coated in Dust

This was all too familiar, almost eerily identical to what happened in my past life.

Cole would return, only for Marie to die in an avalanche. Hannah and I survived the incident, but he killed us later.

I tried to figure out how to tell Cole what was coming, but the curtain was suddenly ripped open.

The intruders found us. One of them sneered, "Think you could hide here?"

Hannah screamed, but the man silenced her with a brutal kick to her forehead, knocking her out.

"Dang it! I hate women screaming," he hissed, grabbing my hair and pressing a knife to my throat.

Fear clawed at me, but I forced it down. "Stop! Hurt us, and you'll never get Cole's encrypted drive."

He paused, which confirmed my guess. They weren't just here for revenge. They wanted the company's secrets.

I swallowed, noticing a scorpion tattoo on his hand.

"Mike Turner, right? I'll take you to it," I said. "But you need to guarantee our safety. Your brother's death was an accident. We're willing to pay any compensation."

His eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name?"

...

I didn't answer, just edged back from the blade.

In my past life, I learned Mike's brother, a transport worker, died in a chemical explosion at Cole's company. Mike was convinced it was no accident. Cole's shady dealings led to a cover-up murder.

He lowered the knife, but then the nursery's steel door clicked open. A thug walked in, holding a sobbing Aldo.

Mike's sneer returned. He tapped the blade against my cheek. "You think you're in a position to negotiate?"

He sliced the top button off my blouse, his leer sickening. "Maybe we'll have some fun first. Or I could carve up this kid and toss him to the dogs."

Their laughter grated like nails on a chalkboard.

I curled up, terrified, until I caught Hannah stirring. Her eyes flicked to a fire axe propped in the corner.

Taking the hint, I shrugged off my shirt to distract them.

Mike pulled me close, his rancid breath grazing my neck. Just then, Hannah lunged. The axe arced through the air, burying into Mike's back with a sickening crunch.

He howled, and his men froze in shock.

Hannah stepped on his head, pressing the axe to his neck. "Let Vicky and my son go, or I swear I'll drag you to the inferno with me!"

Mike, pale with fear, ordered his men to stand down.

I grabbed Aldo and limped toward the door. Looking back, I saw Hannah's desperate look.

"Take care of Aldo, Vicky," she said. "Tell him I'll always love him."

Tears blurred my vision as I ran, Aldo's cries soaking my bloodied shirt. Outside, the snow fell in heavy sheets, muffling the world.

A dull thud and Hannah's agonized scream chased me into the night.

...

Hannah's last words echoed in my mind, and I burst into tears.

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