Page 4 of Mayhem

The figure, dressed in all black, doesn’t look my way though. It continues to move past me. Closer to the house I know is somewhere secluded in these woods.

Once the figure is past, I stand and start making my way back to where I belong.

Freezing once again, I peek back over my shoulder.

I really should warn them. That would be the nice thing to do. I mean, I do camp out in their woods a lot, even if they have no clue.

Shaking my head, I take another step forward.

Not your business, Willow. Nate was an asshole to you today. Why would you help him?

Stopping once again, I curse to myself. All I can see arehiseyes. I could let this man continue his mission, which likely means hurting them.

Fuck. I can’t though.

How could I go home knowing that some creepy as fuck dude is up to no good in my woods? Okay, their woods, but still. Could I in good conscience forget what I saw and live with the outcome?

No. I couldn’t handle it if tomorrow one of them wound up dead. Blame my barely beating heart.

Turning toward where the man went, I give him a wide berth but follow in his direction. Once I spot him, I stay silent, moving closer to the house I can just see through the foliage.

The man stops, looking around. I freeze.

Can he see me?

When he doesn’t stare in my direction, I let out a quiet breath. He can’t see me.

For the second time tonight, I ask myself what the hell I’m doing. When I see him reach into his pocket, I know it’s go time. I can’t hesitate.

Rushing out of the woods between him and the house, I shout.

“Hey. I see you. Get out of here. You better get the fuck off this property.”

The man freezes, then charges me.

Fuck. Not what I expected.

My fight-or-flight kicks in immediately. I turn to run back into the woods. My body is like a live wire, prickling with anxiety as I run for my life.

A couple of feet in, I feel him grab the back of my jacket. I shrug out of it and keep running.

Not fast enough, though.

The man tackles me to the ground, getting close to my face. Up close, I can see that he has on a ski mask, but that doesn’t hide the scar across his dark brown left eye.

He’s so close, I can feel his breath against my face. The smell of something rotting causing me to gag.

My breaths come fast, my heart thundering at a painful pace. Dizziness sets in as my mind races through all the possible outcomes.

I could die tonight.

“You fucking bitch. I’m going to enjoy you. You made a mistake stepping in tonight. Know that I’m watching you now. Wonder what I can do to you before anyone can save you,” he growls.

He places his left arm across my throat, keeping me in place while his right hand slips up the inside of my leg.

My body shakes as I fight the urge to puke. My nostrils flare. My muscles twitch. I try to take a deep breath in, but all I can smell is the rancid stench of his breath.

I buck, refusing to go without a fight. “Get off of me,” I gasp.

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