Page 8 of Taking Me

What the actual fuck is going on? I can’t make out any of their faces with how dark it is getting. The shadow effect from a singular trailer’s light from a distance is no help. “Marco, you take the East side. Darian, West. Zion, you need to keep an eye on the exit points. I will be on the inside wearing my silver devil mask. If anything goes wrong, you guys know what to do.”

My stomach feels so queasy, and I can’t seem to understand why. Questions start scattering throughout my mind like, why is his voice so familiar? And who are they after? My mind is racing, and I can’t help but assume they are here for me. The text I received earlier could be very real. Is it him? Is Marklov here to kill me and finish off the oath he screamed that night? Shit.

Every shadow feels like it’s closing in, and every sound seems amplified. My thoughts are a whirlwind, and I can’t shake the feeling that danger is imminent. I must stay vigilant and figure out what’s happening before it’s too late.

I get pulled out of my thoughts from my phone, a notification that causes me to hold on to it, minimizing the noise as much as possible. It is Ghost. For a fraction of a second, I forgot all about him. Maybe I’m overthinking about all of this. But if I’m right, tonight, hell will break loose. Ghost is here, and that’s what I need to deal with right now. I can’t put myself at risk, and with him meeting me here, that potentially puts him in danger.

The men look around and begin to disperse. I go down and off the trailer, running back to my bike. I pull my phone and text Ghost, telling him where to meet me and to minimize any unwanted attention to our location.

Me: Make sure no one is following you and that you’re alone.

Ghost: whoa.. are you going to murder me or something…

Me: only if you’re lucky enough

Ghost: don’t tempt me with a good time, Little Killer.

I have no damn idea why I’m blushing at that. I can’t lose focus, but something about Ghost almost makes me feel…a sense of normal. I don’t need a distraction but at the same time, I do. Most of my meetups are short and done by now, and I wouldn’t be caught dead with anyone I am fucking out in public.

“Hey, Little Killer,” I heard a deep voice reverberate from behind me, causing me to almost jump out of my skin, making me reach for my bayonet. “Fuckin’ Christ, man, you sure know how to make an appearance.” While I gradually lower my knife down to spare his life. “What has got you so jumpy? Are you normally like this?” No, I am not usually like this. “You caught me off guard.” I let out a little laugh.

His presence is intense, and, damn, this man is stunning. Seeing him in person is nothing like his photos. A certain darkness about him makes a big part of me want to run away, like right now. But at the same time, his presence is making my body tremble, and I can feel a throbbing deep inside me. It’s like he’s a magnetic force, pulling me in despite every alarm bell going off in my head. How would one dark force work with another? I guess that is something I am willing to find out.

The intensity of his gaze is overwhelming, and I can feel my resolve weakening with every passing second. “So, what do you have in mind for tonight?” I asked softly. “I was thinking maybe we could scare the shit out of some people in the maze, maybe some other extracurricular activities as well. I just so happen to have a mask. Or does that make me look fucking psycho?”

Not at all. If only he knew what darkness lives inside of me. The maze would be a great place to stay out of sight of others. “Sure, why the hell not?” I replied, my voice tinged with excitement.

Getting off my bike, I reach into my bag and pull out my mask. Revealing it, I look up at Ghost, and a smirk spreads across his face. “What? Maybe we are both psychos,” I laugh out. He pulls his mask out, and as soon as I see it, my heart races. The design is perfect, almost matching mine—despite having more stressed features to it, which gives it character. Seeing his mask sends a jolt of electricity coursing through every piece of my body.

We exchange a knowing glance, both of us understanding the thrill of what we’re about to do. The maze, shrouded in darkness, awaits us. “Let’s do this,” I say, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

The maze has a line backed up with over two dozen people. My thoughts start to take over. I know nothing about this man; he could be deeply twisted for all I know, but would I really care? I am twisted. Maybe that’s what I need, and maybe two twisted souls make a goddamn masterpiece. Perhaps I need some

one’s darkness to match the void within me.

I pull my mask over my face. “You look fucking stunning, I must say.” he gave out in a deep voice. Oh fuck. All I can think about is tracing the snake tattoo that curls up and around his arm, up to his neck, with my tongue. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”Let the tricks begin, and maybe we can treat one another.

Nine

Ghost

Making our way into the maze out of sight from everyone else, I decided we could make a little bit of small talk. One thing I know for sure is that I plan on eating this man up tonight, and I wouldn’t care if he bent me over somewhere in the maze. I want him to take me, free me from all of reality.

However, I don’t want to seem unorthodox to this man. “Can I know your name? I realized your profile never said an actual name. And to be honest, I didn’t really give a fuck at that time,” I bluntly said but in a curious way.

“What made you want to know it now? How do you know Ghost isn’t my real name?” I take a second to think of something.

“Just a bit curious, I guess, and come on, it’s not. Is it?” I mean, I’m not lying. I am curious.

“Ghost, you can call me Ghost, as my profile says. Maybe… Maybe I can tell you my real name if tonight goes well.” His voice made my insides feel like an inferno, but the name made my blood instantly drain from my face, and goosebumps shoot up my spine.

Ghost is a name I haven’t heard in a while, and what are the odds someone I met online uses the same name? I really feel like some déjà vu shit is going on.

“Alright, now my turn.” Ghost let out. “Do you usually meet up with strange men at night time?” He said with a light chuckle.

“No, you’re actually the first,” I said timidly. “And I don’t plan on making it a habit either,” I said seriously.

“One more thing. Want to tell me your name?” He cocked his head at me.

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