Page 26 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

“I already told you not to come any closer!” I exclaim, hoping he can’t sense the fear through my anger-laden voice.

From the looks of it, he can.

“Evangeline, I’m offering you the chance to come with me willingly.”

“Willingly?” I gasp. “What the fuck do you mean by that?”

“I think you know what I mean.”

Every word comes out darker than the one before it as if he’s slowly peeling off his friendliness. His every footstep is slow and calculated, lurking like he’s the predator and I’m his prey.

“When you’ve been as lonely as I’ve been for countless years, you come to miss what you can only do with a fellow human,” he says, with sinister implications riding each syllable coming from his rotting mouth.

Escape. That’s the only option I have. I just need a diversion. Think, Evangeline, think!

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll come with you.”

Kraven stops in his tracks like he didn’t expect me to openly agree. His bewildered eyes widen even more as he double-takes.

“You… you will?” he whispers.

“Yeah,” I answer, daring to approach him. “After all, we’ve got to stick together, right?”

I close the distance between us. His shoulders drop as he sighs in relief, dropping his guard.

“Well, I’m certainly glad you’re—Agh!”

I pull my knees back from his crotch. He keels over, his light frame collapsing into my arms. I shove him to the ground with all of my might.

I’ve already spun around and broken away into a full sprint by the time he hits the hard terrain, fueled by the surge of adrenaline.

I run, not caring where I end up, I just need to get away from the violator. There’s no way I’m about to let him touch me. Death sounds like a sweeter, more forgiving fate than being Kraven’s next victim.

Remembering how he left those poor girls only increases my speed.

But my already pumping heart palpitates when I hear his frenzied pursuit. I glance over my shoulder, spotting my stalker in hot pursuit.

His insane eyes are wide, his teeth baring. Grunts escape with each exhale, the sounds of which engrain themselves into my mind.

A man in his state should not move as fast as he can. It dawns on me that the fact he’s been out here for so long gives him an advantage.

He’s adapted to this environment. He wears only rags and furs, but his body is adjusted to these conditions. His years of experience thwart my day one position.

And he knows this mountain range better than I do.

“Fuck!” I exclaim, propelling my feet to carry me faster.

My throat is quickly going dry with each breath. My heart threatens to burst from my chest. It feels as though it’s about to stop at any moment.

Each beat sends a fresh wave of fear coursing through my veins. My stomach grows heavier, and tears are beginning to fall. The taste as they land in my mouth is a harsh reminder that the settlement has practically killed me.

His footsteps change direction behind me. I glance over my shoulder, watching as he ascends a small hill to gain height over me.

Then, he jumps, brandishing his hands like they’re talons waiting to swoop me into his grip. I just barely stay a step ahead of him.

The path ahead narrows to a small slit between two boulders. I throw myself into it and begin slithering as quickly as I can.

Kraven follows suit, only a few meters behind me as I inch forward for my life. The slit grows smaller, inducing a sense of claustrophobia as I can no longer turn my head in any direction.

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