“I don’t want to do that.” There wasn’t a single person on this Earth that I hated enough to take their life. Not even my brother. Because as much as I hated him, I loved him, too. No matter what I’d done, I hadn’t been able to burn that love out of me. It was a part of who I was.

Michael’s expression hardened. “We’ll see about that. People will do a lot of things to survive. Haven’t you ever considered what it would be like to get even with me? To stab me the way I stabbed you? I enjoyed each and every cut. Did you know that? Your screams of pain. The way your blood pooled in the open wounds.”

His words had memories struggling to surface. So much pain, fighting to get free. My vision swam, and my hands trembled.

Michael laughed, but it was twisted and ugly. “Looks like you have quite a few scars. Tell me, big sister, do you think of me every time you look in the mirror?”

I wouldn’t let him take me there, back to that place. I couldn’t. I glanced down at Hunter. Still breathing. But those breaths were shallow, and I wasn’t sure how much time he had. I looked up at my brother. I had one opportunity, and one tool. That tool was surprise.

If I rushed him, there was a chance I could incapacitate him before Michael knew what was happening. He had to know that I’d taken karate, but he’d never seen me in action. He didn’t know how I moved or the skills I’d learned. It would be impossible unless he’d trained with me.

I studied the paths and angles while trying to appear simply concerned about Hunter. And I was. Concerned enough that I was about to hurl myself at a man with a gun, who wanted me dead or destroyed.

I didn’t give myself a chance to reconsider or overthink which plan of attack would serve me best. I didn’t take a moment to wish there was food in my stomach or water in my system. I simply moved.

In a flash, I was in front of Michael. There was only a brief widening of his eyes before he tried to block my attack. But I was quicker. Just this once, I was faster than the little brother who’d always seemed to outpace me. My knee came up to make contact with his groin, and he crumpled.

I’d hoped the gun would clatter to the floor, but it didn’t. And I still only had my knife. Michael kept his grip firmly on the weapon as he cursed. So, I did the next best thing. I ran. Into the bright sunlight, blinking and trying to get my bearings. But what I saw didn’t help. Other dilapidated cabins and outbuildings were scattered throughout.