Page 16 of Theirs to Chase

“He was toying with you,” I whisper, and Nadia nods.

The lights are suddenly turned on, making the blood even more evident, and Nadia’s breath hitches at the sight.

“We need to get out fast, before the power cuts again. The gates won’t open without it.”

Max nods, gripping Nadia’s hand.

“None of this feels right,” Nadia mutters, voice trembling.

“I think we were set up,” I say with a tightened throat. “Remember when I told you our boss said she never invited us?”

“Fuck…” Max breathes, nearly retching.

“Eveline?” a voice calls from the shadows, filled with concern. Eros steps into the light, his hair even more disheveled than before.

Heat flushes my cheeks at the thought of what we did earlier, and my earlier suspicion is gone as if by the wind. He was with me when the people were murdered. Guilt hits me, knowing I’ve now been suspicious of him multiple times.

“Are you okay? I couldn’t find you after I went to the office. I couldn’t find a phone.” His green eyes look into mine, and it suddenly feels as if I’m swallowing glass that tears through me.

“Didn’t you c-come back?” I stare at him.

“I did, but you were already gone. You made me worried when I couldn’t find you after.”

Bile burns my throat.He never came back.Then who did I fuck? Nausea rattles my stomach as the realization hits me—I was so caught up in the moment, so turned on, that I didn’t stop to think about who I was with.

“Eveline, are you okay?” Nadia asks, worried eyes looking me over.

“Yeah, you look pale,” Max chimes in.

My mouth dries. “I’m fine,” I lie.

Eros’s eyes catch mine with a worried glance, but all I feel is a sick twist in my stomach.

“Let’s go,” I say, and we scramble toward the exit. “Y-you said there wasn’t a phone in the office?”

He shakes his head. “I was thinking we could get to my house and call the cops. Right now, we need to get to safety.”

I glance at Nadia, knowing she’ll go home with Max—they cling to each other like they might never let go. Max steps forward to push the gates open, which are luckily unlocked, and the four of us scramble to get outside.

“You shouldn’t be alone tonight,” Nadia says, hugging me in silent approval.

“If you’re not comfortable with that, I can drive you home,” Eros offers, and Nadia’s eyes catch mine, a glint of mischief shining through.

“Call me tomorrow,” she says, though I can tell she’s too preoccupied with hugging Max to pay me much attention—traumatized from the night’s events. So am I.

“Yeah, fine,” I whisper, watching as my best friend and Max dart from the park, as if the devil himself is hunting them.

Eros takes me to his car, and I can’t help the trembling in my body. My mind is still unable to process what happened before—a surreal dream I can’t escape.

“Shhh, don’t worry. We’ll be home soon,” he says, fingers squeezing my thigh as we drive away from the amusement park. The car door locks, echoing how trapped I suddenly am.

That tone—it’s the same the murderer used when he fucked me deeply.

“Shhh, don’t worry. You will soon come.”

Chapter 7

The Puppet

---