Nate's adrenaline soared. He just had to give Marisa a chance to escape.

"Maybe..." she said. "He sometimes left them on the kitchen counter."

Footsteps on the deck.

Nate's fingertips hit a cold, hard something, and he dug it out. A misshapen rock the size of a baseball. Thank God for the granite state.

The back door rattled in its frame. Rick swore. "I don't have time for this." He blew out a breath. "Whatever. I can get in the front."

The deck was nearer Nate's side of the cabin than the other side. He gripped the rock and crept back to the cabin wall. Here he was again, just like before. Terror rose up inside of him. He'd faced evil before, only this time it was Marisa's life in danger. If Nate blew it, it would be Marisa who paid the price.

He leaned against the wall and begged the air and the universe and God for help. He knew himself enough to know he couldn't do this alone.

Nate listened to Rick's footsteps cross the deck floor. Marisa's bare feet were silent, but he knew she was there.

The sound changed. They were on the steps.

Then near silence.

From far away, Nate heard Brady's voice. "Police. Open up."

Banging.

Nate willed Brady to shut up and pressed himself against the wall.

Marisa turned the corner, saw Nate. Eyes wide.

The man was right behind her. He gazed toward his abandoned cabin and the ruckus there. He didn't see Nate.

They passed.

Nate lifted the rock.

The man angled away at the last second. Swiveled toward him.

Dropped Marisa's arm.

"Run!" Nate swung the rock toward Rick, but the man was too quick, Nate's swing too sluggish.

Marisa dashed away.

Rick backed up, reached in his pocket.

Nate didn't want to know what was in there. He barreled forward, tackled, landed on top of Rick. Nate lifted the rock again, aimed at the man's head, brought it down.

Rick dodged, and the rock glanced off his temple.

Rick kneed Nate in the side, and pain crashed through him. He concentrated on keeping hold of the rock. His only chance.

Rick kneed him again.

Nate ignored the pain, shifted to swing the rock a third time when he saw the glint.

A knife.

He twisted. It sliced his back. He stood and scrambled away from the deadly weapon.

Rick stood, too. Nate's back was to the cabin wall. Not that he would run.

Of course he'd brought a rock to a knife fight.

But Marisa was safe. And Ana was probably safe. And this man... He'd pay for what he did, even if Nate wasn't the one to exact revenge.

Rick's gaze darted to the street. He seemed unsure. He turned to run.

Not on Nate's watch. He lunged, tackled, and brought Rick to his knees. Nate was still sluggish. But maybe he could slow him down.

Rick swiveled, thrust with the knife. It sliced into Nate's left side.