It was hard to think with the panic screaming inside my head. Thoughts flooded into my mind in their thousands, charging aimlessly around, blockading my reason, making it near impossible to think straight.

Andrea was right there and in his hand the weapon that could potentially kill somebody I love. But I was frozen right beside him, paralysed by the fear.

Pull yourself together Ella. A little voice in my head hissed. She sounded a lot like me but a version of myself I had lost weeks ago. You're stronger than this. Don't you dare let a man make you feel weak.

To hear the sharp, assured tone of her voice was refreshing. Somewhere, although deep inside, she was still there.

And she was right. What had become of me?

At that moment I felt the powerful effect of my own persuasion or maybe simply just a surge of adrenaline. Either way, it brought me to my feet and to turning to the forest.

I wasn't weak but I couldn't beat Andrea. The fact was simple. But distract him? I could certainly do that.

"Blanca," he growled. "Get your arse back here."

He grabbed my wrist but for once I didn't listen to his order and I didn't let him drag me back.

"Get the hell off me," I growled in the darkest tone I'd ever heard my self use.

Even Andrea seemed taken aback for a second. He stared at me dumbstruck for half a second before his face hardened again.

He pulled my wrist down hard so that I slammed forwards into his chest and was firmly in his grasp.

"Speak to me like that one more time, I dare you," he said, squeezing my hands in an excruciating grip.

I hesitated and he smirked before turning back out to watch the clearing and repositioning his gun.

Distract him.

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