K. C. Klein - Dark Future

D ARK F UTURE

KC K LEIN

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This book is dedicated to my wonderful husband, Jim. Thank you for believing in me even when I didnt believe in myself. And to my girls, mamma loves you.

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Contents

Chapter Twenty-six

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M y eyes popped open and my heart thudded against my chest. I scanned the familiar shadowed shapes of my bedroom. Dresser, mirror, closet, the blinds on my patio door. Nothing, all familiar, all quiet. But why my rush of panic?

I had hear0em/d a sound. Was it the swish of a door being closed or the beeping of buttons being punched on a keypad? Had someone punched in my code for my home alarm?

My pulse tripled in time, while my cowardly body froze in fear. Dredging up courage I shifted my gaze a half-inch to the right, straining to see past the heavy cream curtains that obscured the door leading to my backyard. A soft yellow light glowed around the perimeter. My motion-detector lights had clicked on.

No need to panic. Probably just a cat... but the beeps?

Dammit, maybe I dreamt the noise. Did downing a half package of cookies increase the chances of carb-induced nightmares?

Ignoring the cold bead of sweat that coursed down my side, I turned my head and read the neon blue of my digital clock4:30 A.M.

Swallowing, I strained to hear over the swish of my blood being pumped past my ears. But I had heard something. No way would I have awakened from a deep sleep in the middle of the night for no reason. I needed to investigate. A mature woman would.

Maturity was overblown.

I wiggled farther under my Egyptian cotton sheets and pulled them under my non-blinking eyes. Nothing to be afraid of. Just some car alarm being reset from the outside.

A soft click of a light switch echoed through the stillness, and a sliver of light peaked out from under my bedroom door. Terror clawed at my throat. I shot a glance back to my bedside tableempty. Damn, Id left my mobile phone in the kitchen.

Someone was in my house.

I sat straight up in bed and... froze.

Get up. Get up.

Shoes sounded on the tile down the hall. I had a choice. I could lie here and be murdered on my sheets, or die standing. Decisions. Decisions. Terror clawed its way up my throat, and all I wanted to do was throw the covers over my head. Instead, I flung off the blankets and leapt out of bed. Bloodstains on cotton are a pain to get out.

Weapon... weapon, I need a weapon.

I dropped to my knees and searched for the bat I kept under my bed. My fingers brushed cool metal. I grabbed the bat, straightened, and ran toward the door. Clad only in a pink tank top and Hello Kitty panties, I prayed I didnt end up in the coroners lab with a cheerful cartoon stretched across my rippled behind.

My bat rattled against the wall as I watched the doorknob turn. I braced myself, ready to swing, but I couldnt feel my arms. The door opened quick and hard, slamming me against the wall. Before an umph even left my mouth, a hand reached around and disarmed me.

I was flipped, driven face first into the wall, my right arm bent high at an odd angle. White pain sliced through my shoulder. A thigh jammed between my legs. Fingers grabbed tight to my hair, and cranked my head back.

A taut body pressed flush up against mine, and the scents of fresh-turned earth and sweat washed over me. Hot breath warmed my ear as images of rape and death exploded in my mind.

Kris, I need you to listen to me. A female voice whispered calmly.

Shock zipped through my nervous system. A woman? How did she know my name? I tried to turn my head, but a painful yank to my scalp had me back to my intimate kiss with the plaster.

We dont have a lot of time. Everything I say is of extreme importance. Her voice was soft, but edged with steel. She spoke with authority, like a commander leading troops into battle. Poor troops . She paused, then a heavy sigh. Unbelievably, the future of the world rests on your... pathetic shoulders.

Her voice was familiar, yet not. I scoured my adrenaline-filled brain for a match, but all I could think about was one slight move and my arm would snap.

I am going to let you go now. And Kris, its imperative you remain calm. Do you understand?

I nodded, since my mouth was too dry to form words. The piercing hold to my shoulder was released, my hair freed. I turned and marshaled enough confidence to swallow my own spit, but no courage could be mustered standing braless in juvenile panties.

The light from the hall didnt fill the room, leaving the shadows bold and far reaching. Her darkened form stepped back to the opposite wall near the light switch. She reached out and flipped it on.

A face identical to my own stared back at me.

A scream ripped from my throat. I jumped back. My head slammed hard against the solid wall, and then I slid down to the floor.

My vision blurred around the edges. I refocused, then gasped, couldnt help it. I stared at... me.

The woman glaring at me in her take-no-prisoner stance was my identical twin. Except, I didnt have an identical twin.

If the fashion police ever got a hold of her, they wouldve revoked her visa. Her failure to use an ounce of originality was criminal. Her black tank top looked like it had been ripped and the ends tied, showing off her washboard stomach. Form-fitting, night-camouflaged pants and black combat boots completed her uniform.

Her hair was longer, but with inexcusable inches of regrowth showing dark against her blonde hair. She stood with her feet wide, hands fisted, one on each hip. Her arms were ripped with muscles, shoulders broader than Id ever seen my own. She was tougher, stronger... edgier.

We both stared at each other. She and I were the same, yet not. She was tan; I had a phobia about sun bathing. Her hardened blue eyes were punctuated with thin lines; I carried wrinkle cream in my purse.

Her gaze traveled to my tangled mop of hair, down to the tips of my French manicured toenails. Disgust marred her already strained features.

I raised my eyebrows, and then in a streak of obstinacy Id never outgrown, I wiggled my freshly painted toes.

Her gaze, as inviting as a newly dug grave, leveled with mine. God, Id forgotten how young you are. And the panties... she shook her head, embarrassing.

I couldnt agree more. I scrambled off the floor and slipped on a pair of sweats. With both of us standing face to face, there was no denying the similarities; I had a double, except the body was better.

Or had I gone crazy? Neither option left me giddy with relief.

Who are you? I asked. I had to be dreaming; this was a better third option.

She didnt ans nedidnwer, instead ran over to the bathroom, flipped on the light, and opened my sliding closet doors. She yanked out a duffel bag from the top shelf and began riffling through my clothes.

Dreaming or mental breakdown, I was sure both roads started out pretty much the same.

She dashed over to my dresser and pulled out my sports bra and black running shorts. She threw them at my head. Put these on. We dont have much time. We need to leave.

Where... why? Crazy I may be, but one thing I knewI wasnt going anywhere with this woman.

Youd never believe me, so youre going to have to trust me. Her behavior bordered on manic as she dived into my closet and threw every one of my shoes across the room. I hovered near the corner, not sure if I should call the police or a hospital with padded rooms.