Arc 3 | Hells Grace (22)
HELLS GRACE
Part 22
Loud clambering from the stairs spooked Tessa. She turned around only to find Melanie's body was no longer lying at the bottom landing. She caught a glimpse of Melanie's shadow looming over the hatch and let out a taunting cackle that faded as she scurried away.
Tessa withdrew deeper into the tunnel, pointing the gun at the cellar entrance just in case Melanie changed her mind and came after her. She reached the tunnel's sharp bend and then the open iron doors.
The first thing she saw was my body, and she almost let out a scream, alerting the two men, who were fighting across the room, of her presence. She crouched and made herself as small as possible, slinking into the shadows and hiding behind a statue of a horned black goat.
Hodge pinned Leo against the wall with the shotgun stuck between them, threatening to fire the last shell inside. They struggled over the weapon, but their strengths were an equal match. Leo almost got the upper hand when he swung an elbow at Hodge, but the latter dodged it, giving him enough momentum to shove Leo hard against the wall again. The slight moment lifted the weapon slightly to their chests, and Hodge thrust upward, sliding and pinning the shotgun's long barrel against Leo's throat. Leo let out a strangled cry as the gun clamped his windpipe.
"You think you can just shoot me, motherfucker?!" Hodge snarled.
Tessa darted to another statue, inching closer toward the two men. She and Leo locked eyes, and recognition lit up both their faces. Leo was with Eliza earlier, and he helped Tessa out of her cuffs. Hodge still hadn't noticed her. When she was sure Hodge wasn't still aware of her, she raised the gun, aiming at Hodge's back. A brave but foolish gambit on her part. Leo's eyes widened, warning her to get the hell out of the room before—
BANG!