Second Chance Read Online Free Page B

considering that this man could pose a danger to her. She saw what danger lay behind her and as far as she was concerned, this guy was a safe haven.  Besides, there was something about his voice that just caused her to intrinsically trust that he would protect her.  The fact he was stacked with solid muscle also helped.
    Quickly opening the barn door and leading them inside, her Good Samaritan closed the door behind her and latched it from the inside.  He turned to her. “I want you to listen closely and do exactly as I say.  Get up into the hayloft and hide near the back.” 
    Ava looked over at the ladder leading up to the loft.  There was no hay up there, just old boxes that attested to the fact she may have a hoarding problem.  Not one to argue when her life was in danger, Ava scrambled up the ladder.  Then she heard the man say, “Don’t come down until I tell you it is safe”. 
    The hayloft wasn’t even a real hayloft.  It was a platform raised off the main barn floor.  The back of the platform was bolted into the barn wall.  The front of the platform was held up by two thick wooden beams, evenly spaced apart with the corners also bolted to the barn wall.  Its original purpose may have been to hold hay, but again, Ava used it for storing old junk.  As a small and modest ranch, she had enough empty horse stalls below to hold all the hay she needed right now. 
    Once she reached the top of the ladder, Ava moved to the back of the platform and crouched down.    She couldn’t see anything from her position.  She had no clue where her Knight in Shining Armor was, nor did she have any clue where Mr. Gray might be lurking. 
    Then she heard the back barn door rattle.  She knew it was Mr. Gray trying to get in.  Apparently, brains weren’t prized among his species—after all, the front barn door was wide open and the back door was closed from the inside with a latch. 
    After a few more rattles, Ava thought that the beast might give up.  But then she gasped as the entire back door was torn from its hinges.  She couldn’t see it happen, but the shrieking metal and splintering wood crashing to the ground told her the story.  So whatever Mr. Gray didn’t have in brains, he sure made up for in strength. 
    For the first time, it occurred to Ava that she should be very, very scared. Up until now, a combination of disbelief and adrenaline had been fueling her survival instincts.  But now, she finally had an epiphany that there was some unknown monster with Hulk-like strength that cut through her barn door like it was soft butter. 
    She was afraid for herself, and she was afraid for her Great American Hero that stood between her and what was probably certain death.  Ava’s heart was thumping so hard, she was sure Mr. Gray would be able to hear it.  She tried to make herself calm down but it seemed her blood pressure was steadily rising.  Hell, she may just die from a heart attack rather than being pulled apart limb by limb. 
    Ava figured she better come up with a backup plan, just in case the future Mr. Ava Clairmont couldn’t protect her.   Okay, so I have some hot, hero worship going on here.  Trying to come up with something imaginative, Ave just didn’t have a clue as to what to do.  While she was a dreamer, and had a vivid imagination, never in her sanest thoughts did she think creatures like Mr. Gray could exist. She never once imagined she would be trapped in her hayloft—okay, her hoarding room—with a monster, or alien, or mutant governmental experiment gone wrong, trying to hunt her down.
    Listening for the tiniest of clues as to what may be happening, Ava heard dragging footsteps below the platform.  She knew it was Mr. Gray and could just imagine the way his long arms would sway back and forth as he shuffled into the barn.    Where the hell was he going?  Was he coming toward the ladder?  And where was his Royal Saving Grace?  
    Ava couldn’t help herself, and yes, she