Page 19 of Monstrous Grave

Setting the car in drive, I leave the dark front yard, grateful for the quiet hum of the electric engine. Hopefully, Mom won’t even notice that I took her car, given the vastness of the manor.

After twenty minutes of driving, I reach a deserted gas station. It’s the perfect place to be alone, away from this overwhelming feeling that evades my every thought and emotion—even if it’s a bit odd to bring an electric car to a gas station.

Parking somewhat haphazardly, I step out onto the concrete pavement, the cool night air brushing over me.

A single light keeps the station illuminated, casting a shimmer that accentuates the desolation. Most people are nestled in their beds by now, preparing for the demands of the next day, whether it be school or work. I can’t bear to care.

With a sigh, I lean against the car’s hood, scanning the deserted surroundings. A prickling sensation grabs me, like pins and needles spreading over my body, alerting me that someone is nearby. The wind whispers through the night, the only other audible sound besides my breathing. Straining my ears, I search for any sign of movement, but the gas station remains eerily still.

No other vehicles occupy the station, and instead of the peaceful solitude I sought, I’m now enveloped in a chilling atmosphere thick with tension, setting my nerves on edge. A rustling sound breaks the silence, and I jolt in alarm as I attempt to locate the source. No one is close by, and regret gnaws at me for ever having left the manor.

Paranoia grips me with cold fingers as another sound startles me, this time from my phone vibrating. Trying to catch my breath, I tremble as I reply, my lungs craving oxygen.

“Hello?” I utter, casting an eye over my shoulder.

Somewhere in the distance, the sound of crickets blends with the stirring wind, but there’s only silence from the other end—until a deep breath breaks it. A single one, followed by nothing more. Seconds drag on, my apprehension escalating until a voice emerges from the speaker—a quiet, dark one.

“The reaper is here,” it whispers before the call abruptly ends.

With my heart lodged in my throat, I quickly make my way inside the gas station. The eerie feeling of being watched accompanies me, every step echoing ominously against the pavement.

Once inside, I dare breathe a sigh of relief, greeted by the friendly cashier whose name tag reads “Dom.” He appears to be in his twenties with a smile revealing charming dimples. I browse the shelves, selecting snacks and a drink, before approaching the checkout.

Dom strikes up a conversation, a welcome distraction from the previous tension. Despite the lingering unease in the back of my mind, I relax ever so slightly in his presence.

“Nice to meet you…?” he prompts for my name.

“Arcane,” I respond, offering a friendly smile.

“Arcane,” he repeats, nodding in acknowledgment. “Hope to see you soon,” he adds playfully, his demeanor flirty and cheerful.

With a nod and a faint smile, I gather my purchases and head back to the car. The brief encounter with Dom eased some of the tension from the strange phone call earlier, especially those cryptic words uttered.

I settle into the driver’s seat, unprepared for the warning signals blaring within my mind. Before I can even reach for the car key, a rough leather-gloved hand clamps around my throat, its texture scraping against my skin. Chains bite into my flesh, yanking my head back to the headrest and restricting the oxygen entering my lungs.

Panic surges within me as I struggle frantically against the restraints, but it’s in vain. My eyes widen, horror piercing every fiber of my being as the lack of oxygen makes the car spin. It’s a cruel realization that I forgot to lock the car door when I entered the store.

I claw at the chains, nails scraping futilely against the metal as I try with all my might to break free.

A dark, amused chuckle fills the air behind me, freezing me in confusion. “Did you think you could run from me? Avoid your big brother like the bad little sister you are?” A growl follows the words.

It’s a strange concoction—arousal mingling with fear in a dizzying whirlwind, every nerve caught in a dance of conflicting emotions. My mind reels with the realization of who is behind me in the car.

The chains dig into my skin, allowing me to breathe but restricting my movements. I turn to look behind me, but he tightens his grip on the chains to prevent me from doing so.

“No looking, sister. You’re mine for the taking.”

“Kai—Kaiden?” I stammer, my words laced with confusion. He continues choking me with the chains, and there’s nothing else I can do but accept defeat, even as my heart pounds like a madman in a desperate plea to break free. “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t you think I see how much I affect you? How much you squirm in my presence?” His deep chuckle rumbles through the crowded space of the car, sending goosebumps spreading across my skin.

I gulp in lungfuls of air, apprehension gripping me at the dangers of the moment.

Beneath the fear, something dark flutters in my stomach, causing me to squeeze my thighs together in a somewhat embarrassing reaction. The arousal of having my oxygen cut off, especially with him behind me, mingles with the fear and creates a tumultuous mix of emotions that make me struggle once more.

“Get off me, Kaiden,” I warn as the hand not holding the chains trail from my neck to the dip between my breasts. I bite my tongue to keep from making a sound, annoyance and something primal flickering inside me.

How fucking dare he come here and scare me like this? Holding me captive like this?

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