Page 107 of Things I Wish I Said
This is what I wanted, I think. To numb my thoughts. To forget how people you love leave. My father. Rachel. Ryleigh.
I close my eyes against the spinning room, wild bursts of light appearing behind my eyelids. The sounds around me rise, amplified as though I’m in an amphitheater instead of a bar.
My stomach lurches, and I straighten, blinking my eyes open at the sound of Dustin’s voice.
I glance over at him, frowning. He’s talking about me, but I don’t know what he’s saying.
As if on cue, Dustin turns his dark gaze to me, his eyes glinting in the dim light. “I think it’s time you go, De Leon.”
A prickling sensation crawls up my spine, strong enough it forces me to my feet. “I can’t drive like this,” I say, blinking, my lids heavy like lead.
Dustin stands, his jaw locked as he meets my eyes. “Isaid, you need to go. Now.”
His dark tone is a warning; so is the dead look in his eyes.
I mumble something incoherent, then take my leave, expecting him to follow, and surprised when he doesn’t. My paranoia mounts as I step outside, glancing around me for signs someone is out here, waiting for me.
The air is thick and ripe with the scent of coming rain, the sky so dark, there’s not a star in sight. A handful of cars dot the gravel lot.
I stumble toward my car, unlock it, and slide inside, resting back in my seat and closing my eyes. The strange visions are still there, dancing behind my lids. It’s an array of dark shadowy figures and shapes followed by a burst of bright color.
I bring my hands to my head and shake it as if I can wipe my mind clean, but I can’t, and I debate calling Ryleigh before I think better of it. I don’t want her anywhere near Dustin Fields.
Remembering the warning in his tone, I start the car and pull out, my tires spitting gravel onto the road.
I shouldn’t be driving, but my head is a fucking mess. Besides, when Dustin gives you a warning, you listen.
My stomach churns, but I ignore it, taking the back roads into town where there are infinitely less people.
The familiar growl of a truck echoes in the distance, growing louder by the second and spiking fear in my blood. I glance in the rearview mirror, and my eyes widen when I spot the silhouette of Dustin’s pickup in the dark.
Dread twists my guts when his headlights flick on, piercing the twilight like daggers.
“Shit.” I accelerate, my heart pounding in sync with the screech of my tires. “Come on,” I mutter, weaving through the desolate country road.
Trees blur past me as my speed increases, but my lead is short lived. Dustin closes the gap between us, the front of his truck so close to my car, I can no longer see his front bumper.
My stomach squeezes as I press the gas a little harder, but it’s not enough. Dustin’s truck surges forward, slamming into the rear of my car with a sickening thud. The impact jolts my entire body, rattling my teeth.
I grunt, trying to gain my bearings while my heart slams into my ribs.
Somewhere inside my car, my phone rings. The glow of the screen catches my eye on the passenger seat, along with Dustin’s name.
I pick it up, answering in the hope he’ll back down if he knows he gave me a good scare, that he got what he wanted.
“What the hell are you doing?” I snap.
“Think you can run?” Dustin’s voice crackles through the line along with the roar of his engine. “Payback’s a bitch, De Leon.”
A jolt of adrenaline surges through my veins as the line goes dead, and I drop the phone.
“Fuck!” I slam the wheel with one hand, instantly sober with the complete certainty this is more than just a game or a chance to scare me—Dustin is hunting me. This is how he gets even.
I slam my foot on the gas pedal and my car jolts forward at the same time Dustin’s truck sunges again. This time, he moves into the left lane, coming alongside me before he rams the side of my car.
Metal shrieks as I fight to maintain control, swerving dangerously close to the guardrail that separates the road from an ominous drop-off.
I grip the steering wheel harder until my knuckles turn white, trying to pull ahead, but every time I gain ground, he closes in on me.
