Marianne let out a heart-wrenching scream, “Don’t touch her!”
I clenched my teeth, fighting down the despair churning in my chest, and turned to whisper to my mother, “Mom, whatever happens next, don’t interfere.
“Move back. There’s a trampoline outside the window that should cushion your fall.
“Then run to the Patel house next door and find Nathan Patel. Ask him to bring help for me.”
The man with the knife was getting closer. We had no time left.
I’d been tortured in my previous life anyway. This time, I had to save my mother at all costs.
“Mia, I can’t leave you behind!”
I gripped my mother’s wrist tightly.
“Listen to me. Just jump down and quickly go to the Patels. As long as you survive, there’s still hope.”
Just then, the man pushed aside the wobbling wardrobe and advanced toward us.
“Mom, jump now!” I urged in a desperate whisper.
But instead, Marianne suddenly lunged at the man.
She grabbed his arms with all her might, trying to pull him back.
“Mia! Jump, run! Mom won’t let them catch you!” Her voice was choked with determination.
“Mom!!” I screamed in terror.
I watched helplessly as the knife in the man’s raised hand plunged without hesitation into her back!
That flash of red burst into my mind, shattering all rational thought in my shock.
Mom gasped in pain but still held onto the man’s waist, desperately shouting to me, ”Jump! Mia, jump now! Don’t stop!”
My blood felt frozen, but the instinct to survive took over.
There was no chance of winning in a direct confrontation. I rushed to the window and jumped without hesitation.
As I landed and bounced violently on the trampoline, I felt a sharp pain shoot from my ankle up to my calf.
