Cover of Listen for the Lie

Listen for the Lie

by Amy Tintera


Genre
Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Year
2024
Pages
317
Contents

Lucy: Five Years Ago — 7

Overview

This flashback reveals the full violence of Emmett’s attack after Lucy and Savvy try to escape him in the woods. Lost, unable to call for help, and then hunted down, the women are overpowered as Emmett escalates from assault to a hammer attack.

Savvy repeatedly protects Lucy, first during the chase and finally by taking a direct blow meant for Lucy. Matt’s nearby arrival raises the stakes, but instead of stopping, Emmett attacks faster, and Lucy loses consciousness, bringing her recovered memory to the brink of Savvy’s murder.

Summary

Emmett lunges at Lucy and Savvy outside the car, knocking them down and immediately turning violent. He punches Savvy, grabs Lucy by the shirt, and rages that he has spent his life waiting for Lucy while being the "nice guy." Savvy attacks him from behind so Lucy can get free, and the two women run into the trees together.

After escaping briefly, Lucy and Savvy realize they are lost in the dark and have run away from the road. Lucy’s phone is still in the car, Savvy’s phone is dead, and rain starts to fall. Even while terrified, Savvy tries to steady Lucy with a joke, then decides their safest option is to head back toward the venue or the road by listening for traffic.

Before they can get away, Emmett bursts out of the darkness holding a hammer-like tool and chases them. Savvy tells Lucy to run for help because Lucy is faster, but Lucy refuses to leave her. Emmett catches Lucy by the hair, punches her hard, and then fights Savvy over the weapon as both women struggle on the ground.

When Savvy dives for the dropped hammer, Emmett drags her back and then grabs a heavy tree branch. He smashes the branch into Savvy’s skull, opening a bleeding head wound. Lucy throws herself over Savvy and begs Emmett to stop, promising that they will leave and never tell anyone, but Emmett stands over them with the hammer and does not back down.

Matt’s voice suddenly carries through the trees, revealing that he is nearby and that the women have run back toward the car rather than toward safety. As Lucy starts to call out, Emmett clips Lucy in the head with the hammer, leaving her dazed. Savvy screams for Matt’s help, and when Emmett raises the hammer at Lucy again and says, "You made me do this," Savvy shoves Lucy aside and takes the blow herself. Savvy collapses bleeding across Lucy’s lap, Emmett swings again as Matt keeps calling, and Lucy blacks out.

Who Appears

  • Lucy
    Narrator and target of Emmett’s attack; tries to flee, protect Savvy, and call for help.
  • Savvy
    Lucy’s friend; fights Emmett, guides their escape, and takes a devastating blow meant for Lucy.
  • Emmett
    Violent attacker who blames Lucy, chases the women through the woods, and assaults them with a hammer.
  • Matt
    Lucy’s husband; heard calling from nearby, his approach prompts Emmett to escalate the attack.
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