MaraThe second heads snapped toward the door, my body chose for me.I didn’t wait to see if the knob turned. I didn’t wait to confirm whether the calm, dangerous voice belonged to the only man in the room who looked like he could break bones without getting his heart rate up. I just moved.I backed off the wall, quiet for one half-beat, then pivoted and ran.The service hallway narrowed as I sprinted, shoulders grazing stacked beer cases, my boots slipping on tile that smelled like bleach and old grease. Behind me, I heard the backroom door slam open. A sharp shout followed—Coat Guy, panicked—and then the heavy, controlled footfall of someone who didn’t have to rush to catch prey.The music from the bar hit me as I burst through the kitchen entrance—bass, laughter, the clatter of dishes—like normal life was trying to pretend I wasn’t about to get murdered behind a building.I shoved past a cook who swore at me. I didn’t stop. I cut left, looked to see if the men chasing me were still
Last Updated : 2026-01-25 Read more