Page 17 of Devious Delusions

His eyes aren’t visible, and I continue walking backwards. There’s no movement on the other side of the glass as I reach the front door. Without turning and giving the ghost my back, I reach behind me for the handle, ready to run.

But he slams his hand on the glass, making me jump.

Slowly shaking his head, he slams his hand on the glass again and I struggle to take in a full breath. It comes in twos.

Knock.

Knock.

Fuck this, the creepy little fucker won’t be able to catch me with the size of the house. I turn, uncaring about anything. My sanity is intact, and I refuse to be some moron’s idea of a victim.

The front door clips my shoulder, but I don’t feel the ache as I run. Little stones dig into my socked feet, the cool air is warm against my skin, and my heart beats so loudly it fills the undisturbed air.

Sound is distorted as I pump my legs, running down the driveway. Asher took the car for work and the only thing I have to save me are my own feet. My legs burn to match my lungs as I run faster and phantom-booted steps chase after me.

I don’t turn.

My eyes remain ahead. As long as I can see I’ll be fine. There are no neighbors to witness proof of my sanity, but I can’t sink into the comfort of trusting my mind with the adrenaline and fear coursing through me.

A heavy weight slams into me and I hit the driveway, the loose stones crunching together as I slide across it. The weight is still wrapped around me, adding more heat to my overworked muscles.

“HELP!” A scream tears through my throat as I kick back. “HELP ME!”

The arms banded around me tighten, keeping my arms stuck against my ribs, painfully so.

“Knock. Knock.” The dark, gravelly whisper has me fighting harder. “Beautiful Delilah.”

The air is squeezed out of my lungs as he tightens his arms around me. His weight pushes me further into the small stones,they dig into my cheek as he straddles my ass. They continue crunching together as I kick and buck my hips while screaming.

But he overpowers me and presses his knees into my biceps.

The blood supply to my hands is reduced as he pushes them under his shins and bites out the same two words against my ear.

“Knock. Knock.”

His deep raspy voice is barely louder than my heart. It brushes my skin, and my cheek is cushioned by the gravel, bringing with it the smell of the sand and soil hidden underneath them as I lie, “My husband is inside.”

The ghost tuts and threads his fingers through my hair. The gloved digits slide through the strands effortlessly and I suck in a breath of earthy air as he yanks my head back. His free hand slides across my neck until he’s holding my throat. There’s no scent, or distinguishable marks. The long-sleeved tech t-shirt only highlights how muscular he is while the mask distorts everything.

“Don’t lie to me, koukla mou,” he whispers, full of threat.

I’m hyper-aware of how I’m currently dressed. Asher’s t-shirt has ridden up in our scuffle, but the man sitting on my back applies his force on my neck. Pulling my head further back, his fingers tighten around my throat to the point of pain. He doesn’t cut off my air fully as he adds, “Don’t lie to yourself.”

I nod, hoping it gets him to relax enough for me to run. But his fingers flex and I splutter, “Please don’t.”

They loosen a fraction and I throw my head back before my lungs can fill up fully. There’s a dull thud and my scalp burns as I pull my head forward, uncaring about the bald spot that will form. Kicking back for purchase, I shake and twist my entire body until I can get a foot to push myself forward and free my arms.

I don’t stop moving as the gloved hand presses against the side of my face and blocks my vision fully. One side has thegravel chips digging into my skin, the other is just pressure pushing me further into it. The heel of his palm presses deeper under my cheekbone, and I can’t open my mouth to beg him without the stones falling into the small crack between my lips.

“Knock.” He presses harder. “Knock.” He shifts his knees to straddle my thighs. “Beautiful.” Cool air kisses my icy cold skin as the -shirt is shoved up. “Delilah.”

My left hand is freed from the pervert’s movements and tears burn the back of my eyes as I swing back, aiming for his body. He catches my wrist as my fist hits air and roughly yanks the limb. It works in my favor as I’m turned, and I kick my legs free. My foot connects with his inner thigh, and I slip as I push myself to stand.

The stones make it the worst terrain possible, but I run. My steps aren’t cushioned and the crunch of his boots following me shows there’s barely any advantage. My hair whips behind me and I look over my shoulder, expecting a greater distance than there is, but he’s right there, hand outstretched reaching for me, and I scream as I pump my legs faster.

“HELP!” My entire body aches and I hit a soft spot in the gravel that takes one foot out from under me. An unyielding hand grabs my hair, stopping my face from smacking off the floor. “Get the fuck off me!” I shout and kick my leg back.

Fingers wrap around my ankle, and I’m dragged backwards literally kicking and screaming. He doesn’t say anything as I claw at the ground and dig my knee into the stones. It leaves behind deep grooves and I push all my weight forward as I keep attempting to free my ankle from his hold.

---