Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The guy who'd been stabbed was already down, twitching a bit before going completely still on the ground. The other three guys stepped back nervously-one even fumbled for his phone to call for help.

"Are you nuts?" the man in the hat snapped, knocking the phone out of his hand. "We're kidnappers! If you call the cops, we're toast!"

"Boss, he's dead! This woman's crazy!"

Blood from the fallen man had splattered onto Clara's shoes. She looked up, her face icy and detached, with blood smears on her cheeks that made her look seriously terrifying. The guy in the hat went pale, grabbing a stick off the ground like it could actually protect him.

"Stay away!!"

The guy with the phone picked it up again, this time actually making the call.

Clara clutched the fruit knife in her hand, standing her ground for what felt like forever, until her body was stiff from the tension. Eventually, the men bolted, speeding off in their car.

By the time the wailing sirens pierced the air, it was just her and the dead guy left. It wasn't until they cuffed her that she felt the numbness lift, like she was waking

up.

"It was self-defense," she said, her voice calm despite the angry red handprint on her cheek.

The cop who recognized her looked exasperated. "Ms. Clara, not again."

Clara gave a small, knowing smile. "Check the cameras. There were four of them. They kidnapped me and tried to... you know."

With a camera on site and a sketchy tent setup, it was obvious what those guys were up to. Still, whether it was self-defense depended on the full story.

Clara was led to the police car as the officers chased after the escapees. On the way back, Clara spotted Eden's car.

Just hours ago, Eden had been throwing snide remarks from that very vehicle, the license plate burned into Clara's mind. What were the odds Eden's car would be on this road, heading out of town at such a weird hour? As a Ferguson family heiress, why would she be leaving town now?

Thinking back to Eden's earlier call, Clara couldn't shake the feeling Eden was somehow involved in this mess.noveldrama

Her lips were dry and cracked by the time they reached the station, and an empathetic officer handed her a cup of water. Since the guys hadn't been caught yet, no one could back up Clara's story.

She sat there, blood still on her face, until Eden barged in, pointing and yelling. "Murderer! You murderer! Officers, you've got to punish her! She killed someone!" Clara met Eden's gaze with steady calm. "How do you know I killed someone?"

Eden's face was smug with triumph. "I just know! Clara, you're done for. You'll spend the rest of your life in prison!"