Page 7 of Taking Me

“You’re so… fucking sweet,” he said as he locked eyes with me and licked his fingers. His hand grip became weak, and this was my opportunity to do something. I quickly grabbed his hand near my mouth and bit down until something was just sitting in my mouth with the taste of copper. I just bit his finger off. “AHH!! YOU FUCKING LITTLE BITCH, I’LL KILL YOU.” He screamed at me, yanking me off of him by the hair on my head, throwing me to the ground, and cupping his hand.

I quickly took off to the front door and ran out. I swore to myself that no man would ever get to hurt or touch me ever again. And one day, his head wouldbe mine. I ran to our neighbor’s house and asked if I could wait for my mother to return. They made me explain what happened, and the look of disgust on their face made me embarrassed. When my mother got back home, I ran over to her before she could go into the house. I tried telling her about what happened, but she was too high to even focus on my words. Her eyebrows furrowed as if she was in denial. I knew then and there that I needed to leave. I needed to disappear from here. I’ll stay at my uncle’s place for a while until I figure something else out.

* * *

The thoughts crashing over me of that night took me into a dark place. I need to get back to reality. I take a shortcut leading me to the back of my garage; there is a back door I can go in through without being seen from the street view. I get in and jump on my bike. I always keep a bag prepared for emergencies so that I am set to go and able to get the fuck out of here as quickly as possible. I put my helmet on and guided her through the doorway I had just entered. Once I leave the garage, l walk her a little up the alleyway. I didn’t want to let anyone around know that I was home. Finally, I start her up, and she purrs, ready to get on the cool pavement and take me where I want to go.

I tear down the open road, letting it take me wherever because riding always seems to clear my mind—the library.We have a little one in the town over, and it is calm, plus you have to be quiet there. I could use that right now. The chilled wind ripples through my hair, hanging out of my helmet, and raises my shirt enough for a cool breeze to sneak in, causing goosebumps to spread all over my skin. The vibration of my bikesends a tingling sensation deep into my core, making my legs tremble. I need someone to fuck my brains out.

No cars are here. Is this the best idea I have had? No. But what else can I do? I park my bike near the side of the building, next to an emergency exit door. It is better to be safe than sorry. Contacting the authorities would be useless. They would probably laugh in my face and tell me I was crazy and to get lost.

Thankfully, the emergency exit door is unlocked. Creeping my way in, the warm heat makes me feel a sense of relief and safety. The library smells of old books and polished wood, instantly bringing a sense of calm and nostalgia. I find an area not too far from the check-out counter where an older woman is sitting and reading a book, probably something smutty.

I settle into a seat and pull out my phone, opening Tinder with a mix of anticipation and desperation. Swiping through the profiles, nothing grabs my attention—until suddenly, there he is. A stunningly sexy man appears on my screen, and my heart skips a beat as I scroll through his photos. He is the color of sweet, delicious caramel, with hair as dark as the night. His body is incredibly muscular, each muscle defined and sculpted as if by an artist. The veins on his arms and hands look like an intricate maze pulsing with life. His eyes are deep and mysterious, like pools of onyx, drawing you in with their intensity. His jawline is sharp and strong, adding to his commanding presence. He is covered with beautiful ink, and in one of the photos, he is shirtless, reflecting in the mirror. His V-line calls out to be traced by my tongue, making my pulse race with excitement.

Every fiber of his being seemed to be fluid and purposeful, exuding confidence and strength. I clicked on his profile to his “About me,” which says, “6 ft of pure chaos, the nightmare that will surely haunt your dreams. I’ll captivate your mind and your heart, but don’t expect them back without a price. Dark humor courses through my veins, late-night snacks feed my soul, andmy bike is my steed of shadows. Swipe right if you dare to embrace the darkness.” holy shit. I swiped right, and the words “It’s a match, say hello” popped up as soon as I swiped and got a little flushed. I can feel the heat radiating from my cheeks all the down to my moistened lips.

Me: Hey, so how dark are we talking when it comes to dark humor?

I re-read the messages from the unknown number in disbelief. I’ve done nothing but run for my whole life. I’ll be damned if I let someone take this life away from me. I know I’m no Saint hell, I’m not even a hero, but I don’t need this shit.

Eight

Tinder Guy

Isat looking out the window in the library, waiting impatiently. My nails were already bitten down to the nub, and I find myself gnawing at them again. My leg bounced uncontrollably, a rhythm of anxious energy I couldn’t stop. No amount of medications could take away the demons that controlled me. Outside, the world seemed to mock my restlessness. The sky was a heavy, dark gray, with thick clouds hanging low and wind rippling through the trees, their leaves rustling like whispers of secrets I couldn’t hear. The usually busy street was quiet, with only the occasional car passing by, its headlights cutting through the gloom. The scene outside was dark yet mesmerizing.

A ding from my phone pulls my attention from gazing out at the creeping night. My screen is lit up with a Tinder message notification. It is him. His name on Tinder isGhost. There is a Halloween festival in town, and I could go for somethingentertaining. Maybe we could fuck on a ride or in a haunted building.

* * *

Ghost: That is a valid question… The more morbid, the better. Do you wanna meet up? I could show you.

Me: I am about to head out to the festival in town. You should meet me there…

Ghost: Oh, asking me on a date? I like a strong-willed woman. Count me in. I’ll see you in twenty.

Me: See you soon.

Before leaving, I scan the area to see if anyone suspicious is around me. So far, everything seems good.

* * *

As I approach the festival, the lights are bright, and the sight is pure bliss. Laughter and screams from the rides fill the air, and the scent of cotton candy and pumpkin spice fills my nostrils.

I parked my bike near a bunch of horse trailers, put my kickstand down, lay back using my helmet as a pillow, and pulled out my phone, which had a message from the Tinder guy in its notification bar. The anticipation of our encounter sends a shiver down my spine. Every move, every word, will be carefully calculated. Tonight is going to be mine. Little does this man know I will be his worst undoing yet; it could be good or bad.

After all, I am a little nightmare in my own way.

The thing about Halloween is that not many people bat an eye when someone is screaming. The spooky atmosphere, the constant pranks, and the haunted houses make it all seem likepart of the fun. It’s the perfect cover for anything horrible lurking in the shadows, blending in with the thrills and chills of the season.

My past shaped me into a monster that sometimes I can not contain, and my present represents every touch of darkness that has ever consumed me. Someone’s life will be mine. Hopefully, it will be Marklovs and soon.

While waiting for Ghost’s arrival, I heard a group of men whispering near my position. I can tell something is happening near me. I have a sixth sense for this kind of shit. I don’t have the time for this when I am supposed to be waiting for his arrival any minute now.“Fuck me,”I gritted through my teeth. I swallowed hard and cracked my neck.

The group of men seems to be planning something. I just can’t figure out what. I need to get closer. It is dark, too dark for the naked eye to see me, especially since I am wearing all-black clothing. One of the men steps out and away from the group, and holy shit, this guy is a fuckin’ giant. His arm could easily crush my head like I was nothing. He seems to be scanning the area for anyone that may be near. I found a spot at a closer distance to them. I climb on the back of an empty trailer, stealthily climbing up on top of it and low crawling to position myself closer to them.

As I lay here trying to focus my vision with the help of the moonlight, the massive fuckin’ man called out “all clear” to the other guys, and I stayed hidden down low and out of sight. Zeroing in on their words as much as I can, I hear them saying something about capturing someone and I couldn’t help but recognize one of the men’s voices. “She will be here. I know she will. And when you see her, don’t you fucking dare make a fucking scene. She is mine. I have waited too long for this, so don’t fuck it up, or you’re all dead.”

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