Page 4 of Sinner

There was nothing wrong with my devilish ideas. Nothing at all.

Ping.

I was halfway across the parking lot when I heard a sound. The girls liked to try to scare me every chance they got. I spun around. “Stop it. I know what you’re trying to do.” I craned my neck, scanning the parking lot and surrounding area.

There was no one there. Not a single soul. There were also maybe four vehicles and none of them close. I knew this side of town wasn’t a hot spot, but I’d never expected it to be so desolate. I stopped briefly when I couldn’t find my keys in my purse easily, surprised I felt anxious. I heard another sound. Was that a whistle?

My nerves instantly shot to the edge and I didn’t bother turning around, heading quickly and directly to my car. Still searching for the keys. The moment I managed to grab them I felt a presence behind me, but didn’t have the chance to cry out before a hand was slapped over my mouth. I was jerked back by several inches, fighting to free myself. Somehow, I had the resolve to fist my hands, even cracking a hard punch against the assailant’s face.

“You fucking bitch.” He squeezed his hand around my throat, his stale breath stinking up the air around me.

Stars floated in front of my eyes and I did what I could to remain calm. I stopped struggling on purpose, hoping he’d make a mistake and I could escape.

“That’s more like it. You’re looking awful lonely, princess. I think you deserve some company.” The man’s voice was raspy, his hot breath tickling my ear. I wasn’t prone to panic attacks, but knew I was in a very bad position. I started struggling in his hold,my instinct telling me if I didn’t break free, I’d be kidnapped or worse.

His hold was strong, so much so he lifted me off my feet.

No. No. No. This couldn’t be happening.

Another strange noise assaulted my senses and seconds later, I was freed. Had I heard a whooshing sound? Gasping, I spun around, noticing a flash as the man who’d attacked me was yanked several feet into the air. I didn’t have time to react and a scream stuck in my throat.

As if waiting for the moment of utter horror to sink in, the man who’d come to save me lifted his arm. A sharp blade glistened in the overhead light, capturing my attention just seconds before he brutally dragged the knife from one of the man’s ears to the other.

There were no gurgling sounds, no noise whatsoever except for my labored breathing. The assailant’s neck had been cut almost clean through, blood spurting from the horrific gash. I was stuck in a frozen moment, unable to think or breathe.

Finally, my savior slowly turned his head, allowing me to see his face. A mask. His entire head was covered with a mask, the ominous shadows of the forest allowing the black material to fade into a wall of oblivion. He was wearing all dark attire, yet the bleak clothing couldn’t conceal the bulky thickness of his muscles. The man was huge, towering over me by several inches.

The material covering every inch of his face was marked with neon green x’s for his eyes, and a strange evil grin, every line illuminated in a greenish glow as if from a blacklight. His aura reeked of power, a dominance that went far beyond anything traditional.

I couldn’t stop trembling, my pulse racing as my heartbeat ticked a solid rhythm in my ears.

In seeming slow motion as if direct from the earlier movie, he opened his fingers, allowing the dead man’s body to slump to the pavement. Then he turned his full attention on me.

There was no chance of unlocking my car, getting inside and slipping away.

Instinct.

Intuition.

Terror.

My heart hammered between my temples, my blood pumping with such ferocity I was lightheaded. I couldn’t make a single noise because I couldn’t fucking breathe. Terror clamped down on my vocal cords and my body refused to obey my internal commands. I studied him, taking in every inch of his massive form.

Even with his face covered by the mask, I could sense the savage’s excitement by the rise and fall of his chest. A body was draped around his feet yet the powerful man with broad shoulders remained still. I was drawn to him. His power. His strength.

His cunning.

“Why?” My question seemed like something a stupid victim would do in the very movie I’d just convinced myself I’d enjoyed. Yet right now, I made myself a promise I’d never watch another horror flick again if only I managed to escape unharmed.

The stranger took a step closer and every inch of my body became electrified. It was a nauseous reaction I’d question later.

“Because a beautiful woman should never be allowed to be accosted by an asshole.”

His voice was deep, more so than any male I knew, but raspy as if an attempt made to hide his real tone. It was possible it was electronically altered. I couldn’t be certain. A strange warmth spread between my legs from the sound of his voice as well as from the intoxicating scent of him. The fragrance of exotic wood and spices was a far cry from the stench of blood.

“But… But you killed him.” Why was I stating the obvious? Blood was splattered against my shoes, my arms.

“Yesss…” He elongated the ‘s’ as if a snake and I blinked several times, fighting with the need to stare down at the bloodied dead man. Static electricity remained in the air, swirling around us as if ready to drag the both of us into the fiery depths of hell.

---