Zoe sank onto the wet ground, her fingers scrabbling over the earth and mud, searching for a weapon—a rock, a stick, anything. What had he said? There’s still time? As if there were a deadline. Her fingertips located a root, but she couldn’t dislodge it. Damn it, there had to be some stone or . . . nothing!

“Help!” Chloe cried, and Zoe sprang to her feet only to feel an excruciating pain skitter up her leg. Jesus!

“Zoe! I can’t—”

And then Chloe’s voice cut off, as if she’d been gagged.

“Let’s go,” he croaked.

“No!” Zoe screamed, hobbling toward them. Terror rushed through her as she watched him haul her sister to his shoulder and begin walking toward the road. “I’ll be back,” he growled in that horrid voice. “Don’t worry. The party won’t start without you.”

Zoe took a step forward, intent on chasing him down, on somehow maiming him and saving Chloe. After all, she’d done it before, but his chilling words echoed through her brain.

The party won’t start without you.

The party?

And then she knew for certain that this was all about timing—about their mutual birthday. Whatever his twisted plan was, it involved both sisters, not just one, otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the time or chance to kidnap them both. The bastard needed both of them to do his sick work, and that gave Zoe some power. The only way to save Chloe was to save herself first.

With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Zoe pressed into the forest. The pain in her ankle was crippling and her chances of outrunning him were nil, but she had to try to escape and lure him away from Chloe. She had to make sure the clock kept ticking. Then she’d double back and save her sister. There wasn’t much time, but this, she felt, was her only option.

As she ran, she heard him give chase.

She had a head start because he’d taken the time to put Chloe into his vehicle. Dear God, if Chloe had the brains and the ability, maybe she could drive away and get help! But those thoughts were futile. Chloe was too passive, too introverted, too damned weak to help herself. Chloe was the classic victim. That’s why it’s up to me to save her, Zoe thought as she hobbled through the dark woods.

Closer he came, crashing through the underbrush.

Oh, Jesus!

He was gaining on her!

Over the rush of water and the rasp of her own ragged breathing she heard the pounding of his footsteps, snapping twigs as he rushed forward.

Her heart froze.

Keep moving. Just keep running.