The man raised his gun toward Heather as he stepped closer.
Heather's whole body locked up, her instincts screamed at her to run—but her feet wouldn't move.
Her heart was pounded so hard it rattled in her chest. Her breathing came in short, shallow gasps, like there wasn't enough air in the room.
For a second, she wondered if she should bolt, make a run for the door, the window—anywhere. But before her brain could even register movement, the man pulled the trigger.
The deafening crack of the gunshot sent a sharp, piercing pain through her ears.
Heather flinched as the bullet went straight into the wall beside her, missing her head by inches. For someone who had obviously killed before, that miss was intentional.
And the message was loud and ringing in her ears.
Her hands flew to the sides of her head as she stumbled forward, gripping her ears, but her balance slipped away.
