Page 21 of His to Slash

The Hollowed Man had marked this place with the symbol of the Bone Keepers, claiming it as his own. It was a declaration of ownership, a taunt directed at me. My breath quickened as I realized the killer wanted me to find this place, to witness the horror he had unleashed.

Just then, I heard the faint sound of movement behind me. My heart leaped into my throat as I spun around, my eyes widening at the figure standing in the doorway. It was the Hollowed Man, his face hidden in shadow, the blade in his hand glinting in the dim light.

I backed away, my heart hammering in my chest. He moved with eerie grace, his steps deliberate as he advanced towards me. I could see the madness dancing in his eyes, and the hair on my arms stood to attention as I realized he was studying me, assessing me like a hunter would his prey.

His blade sliced through the air, a whisper of metal, and I barely dodged the attack. Pain flared in my still-healing body, but I forced myself to move, to stay out of reach.

He lunged again, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. I felt the wind of the blade as it passed by my face, and I stumbled backward, my heart pounding. He was toying with me, I realized, a chill running down my spine as I anticipated his next move.

I lashed out, kicking up dirt and debris as a distraction, and sprinted for the door. I had to get out, to put some distance between us, or I knew I'd never stand a chance. My legs burned as I pumped my arms, racing through the woods back toward my house, but a burning pain in my pelvis made me stumble, causing me to fall and tumble down a small slope.

The killer didn't say a word, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation and enjoyment. He was savoring this moment, and it sent a chill down my spine.

I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the protesting cries of my injured body. I had to keep moving, to put as much distance between us as possible. But as I turned to run, the Hollowed Man was already there, blocking my path. His blade flashed in the dim light, and I felt a sharp sting as it grazed my arm.

I cried out, more from surprise than pain. He was herding me further into the woods, away from any chance of escape. I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move, and I knew he was savoring my fear.

Cornered and desperate, I searched for anything I could use as a weapon. My gaze landed on a fallen branch, and I lunged for it, brandishing it like a sword. He laughed, the sound sending shivers down my spine, and then he lunged.

I swung the branch wildly, connecting with his arm. He grunted, more in surprise than pain, and I took the opportunity to bolt, choosing a different direction from the one I had intended to escape. I had to lose him, or it was all over.

I burst through the trees and onto the path that led to my house. I could see the silhouette of the old building, a beacon of hope in this nightmare. I pushed myself to run faster, my heart pounding in my chest.

But then, as I drew closer, I saw movement in the shadows. My eyes widened as I realized it was Grayson, his eyes glowing with an unearthly light, standing protectively over the entrance to the old house. He had been waiting for me.

I skidded to a stop, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. I saw the Hollowed Man emerge from the trees, his blade glinting in the moonlight. He advanced towards me, his steps purposeful, and I felt trapped between two predators.

Grayson roared, the sound echoing through the trees. It was a primal sound, filled with rage and protection, and the Hollowed Man paused, his fun fading. In that moment, I knew that Grayson was my only hope, my only chance of survival.

The Hollowed Man lunged, his blade slicing through the air. But this time, Grayson was there, moving with inhuman speed. He collided with him, their bodies blurring as they struggled.

The force of Grayson's attack sent the Hollowed Man reeling backward. He stumbled, righting themselves before disappearing into the shadows. I stood there, my heart pounding, as I realized the Hollowed Man wasn't finished. The smile in his eyes haunted me, a promise of things to come.

Grayson stood in front of me, his eyes burning with an intense gaze. For a moment, we were motionless, catching our breath after the encounter. I felt a strange mix of emotions—fear, relief, and something else I couldn't quite name.

His touch was gentle as he reached out to me, and I flinched, unable to shake the memory of his previous assaults. But this time, it was different. His hand hovered as if he sensed my conflicting emotions, and he paused, waiting for my consent.

The moonlight shone on his mask, and I saw the determination in his eyes. He was offering me a choice, a moment of connection amid the chaos and terror. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared up at him, realizing that in this moment, he wasn't my tormentor, but my protector.

I knew that by accepting his touch, I was crossing a line, stepping further into the darkness that entwined us. But with the threat of the Hollowed Man looming, I found myself seeking comfort in the one person who seemed to understand the darkness that haunted me.

So, I nodded, giving him my silent consent. His fingers brushed mine, and I felt a spark pass between us. It was electric, a connection that spoke of shared trauma and an undeniable pull. As he pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me, I felt a moment of solace in the storm, and I knew that, for better or worse, my destiny was now irrevocably intertwined with his.

twenty-one

I neededto get out of the house. The walls were closing in on me, and the constant reminder of Grayson's presence was suffocating. I decided to head to the diner, hoping to see the kind waitress who had shown me a glimmer of normalcy in this twisted town.

The bell chimed as I pushed open the door, and the familiar scent of coffee and grease wafted over me. I slid into a booth, my eyes scanning for the friendly face I'd come to associate with this place. But she was nowhere to be seen.

I ordered a coffee, wrapping my hands around the warm mug as if it could shield me from the horrors I'd experienced. The diner was nearly empty, save for a few locals who cast furtive glances in my direction. I tried to ignore them, focusing on the steam rising from my cup.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thick with tension, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Before I could react, three figures slid into the booth, effectively trapping me against the wall.

My heart raced as I recognized them from the photos in the town hall—the town elders. Their faces were etched with grim determination, and I knew instantly that this wasn't a social call.

"Miss Vesper," the oldest one said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We need to talk."

I gripped my mug tighter, my knuckles turning white. "About what?" I managed to choke out.

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