Page 31 of Bound By Words

Thwack

The persistent noise continued as I crept into the living room, flattening myself against the wall as I approached the large picture windows facing the front yard.

Thwack

As I peered around the edge of the frame, using the curtains to conceal myself as a hulking figure came into view across the gravel drive.

Thwack

My heart raced as the glint of an ax head reflected in the bright morning sunlight, almost twinkling as it paused midair and then disappeared as the arms of the figure quickly vanished out of sight.

Thwack

It’d be hot if I weren’t so freaked out, but my hands shook as I reached into my pocket and fumbled with my phone.

There was an X in the top right corner as I unlocked the screen. Shit, no signal. I hated that it was spotty sometimes out here.

As the little symbol for the Wi-Fi signal blinked on, I pulled open my text messages.

Kelly: You’ve got some dirty lumberjack squatting at your house.

Chase: What the hell are you talking about? Where are you?

Kelly: Hidden next to the front windows at the farmhouse, he’s out in the yard with an ax. I can’t get a signal on my phone to call for help.

Chase: Then how are you texting me?

Kelly: And I’m the dumb one. Wi-Fi, bish. My iMessage still works. Send help!

Chase: Has he come up to the house?

Kelly: No…

Chase: What does he look like?

Kelly: Shaggy chin-length brown hair, half pulled into a bun, full beard.

Again, the beard would be hot if I weren’t so freaked out. I was starting to wonder if I had latent lumberjack fantasies I’d been repressing.

Chase: I think you should talk to him.

Kelly: Are you fucking crazy?

Chase: Trust me.

Kelly: No. He’s not wearing my face like a trophy. This is how serial killer documentaries start.

Chase: And I’m the one who has an overactive imagination.

Kelly: Um…you have a naughty imagination.

The figure propped the ax against the stump he’d been using to chop with and reached into his back pocket, pulling a phone up to his ear.

Chase: He’s coming up to the house.

As the text scrolled across the screen, I saw the man turn toward where I was standing. I jerked back abruptly, rolling myself with my back against the wall.

Kelly: WTF? Are you psychic?

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