Page 7 of Slay All The Way

As we walk, his phone dings again, and without hesitation, he’s back to scrolling, completely oblivious to the beauty around us, to me, to anything that isn’t contained within that glowing screen.

By the time we reach the cabin, darkness has settled around us, the world outside illuminated only by the soft glow of the holiday lights. I step inside, feeling a rush of warmth envelopme, and I glance at Mark, who heads straight for the couch and flops down.

“Are you going to watch something?” I ask, my voice tinged with hope.

“Yeah, I’ll find something,” he replies, his attention already back on his phone.

Disappointment floods me again, but I push it aside. I head to the small kitchen area, placing the ornaments on the counter, their beauty contrasting against the rustic wood.

I quickly make myself a mug of hot herbal tea, watching the steam rise as I think about the day. The festival was magical, but it felt like I was living in a dream while Mark remained in a separate reality.

I return to the living area, sitting across from him. “Mark, can we talk?”

“Sure,” he says, barely looking up.

I take a deep breath, trying to muster the courage to express how I feel. “I feel like you’ve been really distracted since we got here. I thought this would be our time to reconnect.”

He finally looks up, his brow furrowed slightly. “What do you mean? I’m here, aren’t I?”

“That doesn’t mean you’re present,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just... I miss you.”

He shrugs, leaning back into the couch. “I’m busy, Alaska. You know how it is.”

“Busy with what? Your phone? It’s like I’m talking to a wall,” I say, my frustration bubbling over.

He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to catch up on some work stuff. Can’t you give me a little space?”

“Space? Is that all you think I need?” I can feel my voice rising, but I can’t help it. “I want to be with you, Mark! I want toenjoy this holiday together, but you’re so absorbed in whatever is on your phone that I feel invisible.”

His expression hardens, and he stares at me for a long moment before muttering, “Maybe you need to find something to occupy your time.”

My heart sinks, and I feel the walls closing in around me. “Fine,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do that.”

I stand up, grabbing my coat from the hook. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Alaska, wait?—”

But I don’t stick around to hear his excuses. I step outside into the cold night, the air crisp against my skin. I need to get away from him, away from the suffocating silence that seems to hang in the air like a heavy fog.

The snow crunches beneath my boots as I wander into the forest behind the cabin. The trees loom overhead, their branches heavy with snow, and for a moment, I feel a sense of freedom. The world feels quiet, almost peaceful, as I let the cold air fill my lungs.

Suddenly, a noise catches my attention—a rustle in the bushes nearby. My heart skips a beat, and I turn quickly, scanning the area around me. It’s probably just an animal, but a shiver runs down my spine, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not alone.

“Hello?” I call out, my voice echoing in the stillness.

Silence.

I take a step back, my heart racing as I feel that familiar sensation creeping in. Someone is watching. The thought sends a thrill through me, a dark excitement I can’t quite explain. It’s both terrifying and alluring, and I can’t help but feel drawn to it.

As I stand there, the cold air biting at my skin, I realize something. This feeling—the thrill of being noticed, the pulse of excitement from the unknown—it’s what I’ve been missing for solong. Maybe I’ve been afraid, pushing it down, telling myself it’s wrong to feel this way. But right now, standing here in the snow, I’m not so sure. Maybe this is exactly what I need. Maybe it’s time to stop pushing it down.

After all, Mark did say I should find something to entertain myself. He’s made it clear he won’t be paying me much attention. So, maybe I’ll do just that. Maybe I’ll lean into this feeling, let myself explore the thrill of being watched, of being wanted.

A slow smile spreads across my face, the thought sending a rush of excitement through me. My pulse quickens, a new sense of energy buzzing beneath my skin. I can feel the edges of something new, something dangerous yet exhilarating, creeping into my thoughts.

With a final glance at the snowy trees and the quiet night around me, I smirk, turning on my heel to head back into the cabin.

Let the games begin.

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