Page 12 of Muted

With a sad shake of his head, he presses a firm and quick kiss to my forehead. “No, you need to keep going, sweetheart. I’ll be alright. Please, Susanna. Please run.”

Hiccupping back a sob, I throw my arms around his neck, only to have him shove me away from him. Uncle Ronnie doesn’t look at me again as he takes off toward the towering tree and starts climbing the rope ladder, struggling to keep his feet from slipping off the rungs.

I watch for only a moment before I feel darkness enveloping me. Chills covering my body even though I haven’t felt hot or cold up until this point.

He’s here.

With my uncle’s voice echoing in my head, I turn and sprint away from where he’s still panting and fighting his way through the ropes. I sail across the field until I find the edge of the trees again.

Pausing, I let the thickness of the woods cover me as I stop, turning back to look one last time. That’s when I see HIM.

He steps from the opposite tree line like he hadn’t been exerting himself to follow us. The moonlight glimmers off the shine of his shoes as he refastens the buttons of his shirt sleeves.

His eyes scan the field and settle on me for a moment before the corner of his lip tilts up in a sneer. We both hear my uncle’s cry as he loses his footing once more in the tree and our gazes fly to where he’s about to reach the first branch.

I let my eyes drop back to HIM only to see him lean back, head tilted to the sky, then open his mouth to let out a silent roar. I don’t hear a sound, but I feel the waves slam into my body, forcing me to stumble backwards. Then, faster than my eyes can track, he sprints toward the tree and scales the ropes with ease.

Uncle Ronnie finds his footing on the branch only to gasp when he sees our pursuer gaining on him. He turns to scan the edge of the woods until his eyes fall on me. There’s no way he can see me, but I know the moment he feels my eyes locked with his.

He nods once and then runs to the edge of the branch and leaps in an attempt to draw HIM after.

My scream tears through my throat as I watch my uncle fall…

Chapter 3

Muteness

Susu

“Susanna!”

My roommate’s voice rips me from the throes of my nightmare and my eyes fly apart to stare at my ceiling.

I can’t fucking breathe.

My throat is closed up as I attempt to suck in mouthfuls of air. I slam my eyes shut when Miriam flips my overhead light on and pads over to the edge of my bed.

Sitting down next to me, she reaches a hand out but pulls it back just before she touches me. I’m not sure what she can read on my face, but I know I’m still battling for oxygen and I’m fucking terrified.

“Susanna? You… you were screaming.” My eyes fall to her face, but I still can’t speak. I feel bad when I see the worry and fear gripping her, along with a bit of confusion. She’s never heard my voice before, so the fact that she heard me scream must be confusing.

Finally, my throat unlocks, and I suck in the precious air I need before I’m scrambling for my phone. Picking it up, I quickly tap in my password and text my aunt.

Me: I’m sure you’re both alright, but I need you to respond. I’m sorry about the time.

It’s so early in the morning, but I blow out a sigh of relief when I see the bubbles pop up on the screen to indicate that she’s responding.

Aunt Elaine: You know we’re up early. Are you okay? What’s going on?

Me: Nightmare

Aunt Elaine: Oh, honey. Would you like me to call?

Me: No, I’ll be okay. I just needed to make sure.

Aunt Elaine: Your uncle is currently complaining that I’ve made the coffee too strong again and paging through the paper. All is well in the land of Florida.

Smiling at my phone, I tell her I love her and then turn it off to face Miriam, who’s still sitting on my bed, watching me. My smile falls when I see her heavy frown.

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