Derek weakly replied, âYou can use facial recognition.
â
âFacial recognition?â Nicole took the phone and aimed it at Derekâs face, but his features were covered with blood, and the phone failed to unlock.
Derek suggested, âMaybe if you get a bit closer, it will work.
â
Following his advice, Nicole crouched closer, aiming the phone at Derekâs face while keeping an eye on his every move.
The phone unlocked as she moved closer.
Relieved, Nicole prepared to stand up and make a call, dividing her attention.
But just as she was about to rise, Derek, who had appeared weak on the ground, sprang up and wrapped his arm around Nicoleâs neck.
âAhâ¦â Derekâs phone slipped from Nicoleâs grip and clattered to the ground as her face turned a mix of red and purple from the choking.
Derekâs eyes burned with malice as he threatened, âIâll kill you, you little bitch! I could have vanished without a trace, but you just had to mess up my plans!â
Nicole belatedly realized she was dealing with a true menace.
Derek was that cold-hearted danger.
He felt no gratitude for her rescue in the critical moment.
His thoughts were still on murder.
Nicole grasped such a person had no conscience and didnât care about his two-year-old daughter waiting at home.
His previous weakness and tears were merely a performance to trick her.
She fought back, flailing with punches and kicks, but Derek only laughed, saying, âItâs useless.
Iâll kill you today.
â
Before, Derek had exaggerated his weakness, only half-faking it.
Sure, he was hurt, but not as much as he claimed.
Even against a wounded woman, he maintained the upper hand.
The chokehold was tight, and Nicole couldnât use her full strength, but fortunately, she had recently peeled the skin from Derekâs hand when yanking his hand out, revealing his vulnerability.
She reached for Derekâs injured hand, clawing into the torn flesh with all her might.
It was a gruesome scene when Nicole worsened Derekâs injury.
âAh! Damn it!â Derek howled in agony.
The intense pain caused him to loosen his grip slightly.
Nicole seized the chance, putting extra pressure on Derekâs injured hand.
She dug deep and created five fresh wounds, revealing the bone beneath.
âBitch! Let go of me!â Derek screamed and hastily released Nicole, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain.
Nicole gasped for air, her Lungs filling with freedom, and she gazed up at the sky, panting.
After regaining some strength, she slowly rose and limped into the woods, vanishing from sight.
Derek steadied himself, retrieved his phone, and prepared to pursue Nicole.
He grabbed a stick from behind the car, clenched it in his fist, and yelled, âIâll find you, you little bitch! Iâll kill you!â
He marched into the woods, declaring, âYou think you can hide? No way! Iâll definitely find you!â
With those words, he vanished into the forest.
Jarrod played the recording of Alecâs phone call with Derek since he drove.
He was aware that both Derek and Nicole had vanished after the car crash.