Page 16 of Protected By the Ranger

A rustle behind me snaps my attention. My heart pounds as I scan the trees. It could be just a squirrel, I try to convince myself, but a heavy knot of dread settles in my gut.

I remember the ongoing voicemail and quickly finish it. “Anyway, I could use some of your famous wisdom, so call me. Love ya, babe.”

I end the call and slip my phone into my pocket. I rub the back of my neck, feeling a strange prickling on my skin. The cold bites at my skin, stinging my eyes. I close them, drawing in a deep breath, trying to steady the storm swirling inside me.

A deep, angry voice slices through the silence. “So, is he the chosen one now, Ariel?”

Slowly, I turn and see a man standing a few feet away, eyes blazing with fury. I feel numb as I climb off the rock, only one thought looping through my mind—how did he find me?

Then it hits me. The barista from the new cafe around the corner from my apartment. This unhinged man with disheveled hair, shadows under his eyes, and a scruffy beard is a far cry from the friendly man who had smiled warmly at me from behind the counter.

“What about me, huh? You said I was the chosen one!” he shouts, his voice echoing in the stillness.

The accusation hits me like ice shards, and I flinch. My mind races, trying to piece together how a simple encounter over a latte could’ve led to this.

I force myself to speak through the lump in my throat. “Listen, whatever you think I said, I’m sure we can talk it out and clear the misunderstanding,” I keep my voice soft and calm, trying to placate him.

“There is no misunderstanding!” he snaps, his face twisting with confusion. “I know you chose me, but I don’t understand why you ran away.”

The wild look in his eyes, the clenched jaw, and his fists trembling with rage freeze me to the spot.

“I’m giving you one chance to explain,” he growls, stepping closer.

Panic surges, and my voice barely breaks through the fear. “I didn’t mean it like that. I swear.”

His anger churns like a storm, but a fleeting doubt flickers in his eyes. “No! I know you love me. It’s not just in my head, not again!”

“You came up to me at the cafe, radiant in that white dress,” he says, his gaze distant. Keeping my eye focused on him, I slide my frozen feet back one inch at a time, trying to keep my movement invisible.

“You smiled, and I knew. I was so nervous, trying to muster the courage to ask you out while you finished your doughnut. The frosting on your lips…” His eyes fixate on mine with a lecherous intensity, making me shiver.

“I tried, but I couldn’t speak. Watching you walk away broke my heart,” he continues, his voice thick with frustration. “Then, a miracle. You paused, taken by the mountain picture on the wall. When I told you I took it, you smiled and called me the chosen one.”

His eyes narrow as he accuses, “You saw the emotion behind my pictures. You chose me. And now you have the audacity to say you didn’t mean it? I thought we had something special. I had plans—dreams.”

The sun catches his eyes, revealing the fury and madness boiling in its depth. The framed photograph on the brick wall of the cafe flashes in my mind. It had reminded me of Haven Valley and this very lake.

My hands shake as I try to stay calm. “Please, listen. If I said you’re the chosen one, I meant it about your photography. It’s a precious gift, isn’t it?”

He nods hesitantly, so I press on. “I was praising your skills, not us. I’m sorry if I led you on.”

“Shut up! I courted you, sent roses, followed you like a dog to take your picture, showing my love through your medium. And you? You run, leaving me with a ring and fuck a man you just met!”

My mind scrambles with the need to escape. The path behind me is blocked by the rock, and dense forest flanks us on both sides. I need to get to the cabin and call Gideon.

Despite the fear gripping me, I snap at the thought of him tainting my home with his sickness, “All you did was scare me to death! I never professed any love to you. I don’t even know your name!”

His face ignites with a dangerous rage. All sanity flies out of his eyes and he turns feral, “How dare you!” His voice crashes like thunder in the forest silence.

“I’m Rick! I spent days and weeks after you. My mind was ruled by the need to make you mine. And you will be mine, no matter what I have to do.” His gaze, twisted with revolting lust, feels like a slimy touch, making me shudder.

“You want to play hard to get, huh? Fine. I didn’t want it to come to this, but bitches have to be taught the hard way not to toy with a man’s heart.” Saying that, he pulls a knife out of his back pocket. My eyes widen in sheer panic as the silver blade gleams ominously in the sunlight.

Rick lunges, the knife slicing through the air. In a split second, he loses his footing on the icy ridge, crashing onto the melting snow.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I run. Adrenaline kicks in, and I sprint as best as I can on the delicate snow with an injured leg.

Rick lets out an animalistic roar, “You can’t run from me, you bitch!”

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