Page 87 of Monsters

“That’s a girl. Now come all the way around.” He gestured with the Glock. Trembling, I did as he said until I was silhouetted by the headlights.

A silent standoff ensued until he gave his next instruction. “Drop it,” he said referring to the blanket. I gripped it tight not wanting to be without. “Don’t test me, Gemma. Drop. It.”

Sobbing, I let go, the blanket pooling at my feet. I stood naked, fully exposed to him.

“Mm-mmm,” Mason sounded through pursed lips while drinking me in.

“Where’s Lucas? What did you do to him?”

“You sure you wanna know?”

I stopped breathing for what felt like an eternity.

I’d left Lucas to die.

I ran, and Mason killed him anyway.

“Why are you doing this? How could you hurt your own brother?”

“Because he was going to hurt me for you,” he spat angrily, holding the gun to my forehead. I staggered back until the car touched my legs. “So, I’ve revised the game.” Mason gripped my throat, his fingers digging deep. “I’ll give you a ten-second head start. But after that ten seconds, I’m coming for you. And no rules apply. I’ll do with you what I wish. Understand?”

“This isn’t a game,” I seethed

“Oh, it is to me.”

I shuddered under his glare.

“Understand?”

“Yes!” I spat, bitterly.

Mason jerked my head before releasing his grip. He took two steps back giving me space. “Go on then, your time starts… now.”

I panicked, my legs struggling to move

“One. Two. Thr—”

I turned to the right, taking to the darkened woods. I navigated through the obstacles, my heart pounding, my breath the only thing I could hear. Until somewhere between it all, I heard Mason’s maniacal laugh. Low hanging branches tore through my flesh, but I barely felt it in my desperation.

I turned, facing where I’d come from. The dark silhouettes of the trees gnarled as if they were coming to life to personally taunt me. Worse still, Mason was nowhere to be seen. Spinning on my heel, I resumed my journey, the soles of my feet tearing against the rocks and stabbed by the fallen pine needles. Four steps further and I met a punishing blow from behind, the force knocking me to the ground. I fell awkwardly, my outstretched hands desperately seeking anything to break my fall.

There was nothing.

With a sickening thud, my head thumped against a rock or tree stump. My cheek burned, the debris having torn it up. Groaning, I tentatively touched the side of my head and winced against the pain. My fingers were coated in a sticky blood, the fresh night air stinging the open wound. I was light-headed and dizzy, the woods spinning around me.

Mason laughed.

I couldn’t see him, but he could see me.

He relished my vulnerable and now weakened state.

“Where…” I started, but the need to vomit stopped me. Boots crunched the earth, circling me. Everything was a blur, but that didn’t stop the need to escape. Dazed, I crawled on all fours, my knees and palms screaming in pain. Like a moth to a flame, I gravitated to the light, back on the dirt road.

Mason was still in earshot.

He was laughing, heckling as if he had bets on my survival. I was concussed, blood now dripping from my forehead and down my right arm.

Emerging from the woods, the stones on the road cut into my flesh. I stopped, disorientated and unable to find my surroundings. My eyes flittered, barely holding consciousness. The world continued to spin until I could no longer stand. I fell on all fours, waiting for my stomach to lurch. I glanced ahead, wishing for the sanctuary of my rental car.

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