Page 15 of Reaper's Ride
Where did the masked man go? I didn’t dare poke my head out to look. It was horror movie 101. Second only to the dreaded phrase “I’ll be right back.”
No one ever survived after saying that aloud.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the dirt as I slapped a hand over my mouth, trying not to betray my location. I heard them reach me... but nothing happened. No one appeared.
This cemetery was haunted. I was sure of that. Disembodied voices carried on the wind, some of them full of sorrow, others spewing anger at sins long forgotten. The fog grew thicker as I crouched in the shadows, clutching at my useless car keys.
“Lainey.”
A woman’s voice whispered my name in my ear, sending shivers down my spine as I startled, shifting my body to see who spoke. No one greeted me. Not even an apparition.
But that didn’t mean I was alone. This cemetery held more than a frightened girl, graves, and a masked hunter. The spirits of miners and Tonopah residents rested here. They kept vigil over the small town, wary of strangers.
If I lingered here, I would die. I knew it as certainly as I knew I had to run. The fog might be able to conceal me long enough to reach the SUV. I could use the fob to unlock it and start the engine, locking it again before the masked man could get inside. If he tried to break in, I’d run him over.
It seemed like a good plan.
You can do this, Snooki!
I decided to go for it since staying where I was only increased the likelihood that I’d be found sooner rather than later. I jumped up and sprinted toward The Clown Motel. Eerie wails seemed to flow from the headstones as I passed them.One screeched as I stumbled, almost faceplanting right onto the grave.
Move your ass, girl!
That was when I saw the masked man. He caught the movement and spun toward me, his heavy footfalls thudding the ground hard enough to shake it. I probably exaggerated that sound in my head, but fear did crazy things to your psyche. Trust me. I had experience with this.
Like the first time I saw Rael’s Reaper.
Focus!
Adrenaline flooded my bloodstream, and I raced faster than I would have thought possible. When I reached the SUV, I yanked on the door and opened it, slamming my ass on the seat as I shut the door. I swear I mashed the lock button seventeen thousand times before I felt like I was safe.
With my lungs aching and my ears ringing from the cool night air, I threw the car into drive and pressed down on the gas pedal. Never in my life had I driven that wildly, speeding out of the parking lot of the motel like the hounds of hell were on my heels.
When I glanced in the rearview mirror, I didn’t see the masked man. He wasn’t anywhere in sight as I juggled my focus between the road and the mirror, trying to figure out what happened to the guy chasing me. How could he disappear like that? There wasn’t anywhere to hide his big body.
What the hell was happening?
No way I imagined this. I saw him. He was real.
I battled that idea in my head the entire way to The Crossroads. When I approached the gate, waving like a crazy woman, the prospect Zane opened it and gave me a funny look.
I’m not crazy.
I parked and exited the vehicle, glancing around me like I expected the masked man to appear any minute. I sure wanted him to show up here. I fucking dared him.
The Tonopah GBMC always enjoyed a good reaping.
I rushed inside and nearly collided with Grim.
“Whoa.” He reached out and steadied me after I bounced off his chest. “You okay, Snooki?”
I didn’t have a clue.
Sudden exhaustion overwhelmed me. I had slept hours with Pagan, more than enough to keep me from feeling fatigued, but the ordeal at The Clown Motel drained me.
I needed to slide beneath my covers, close my eyes, and know that nothing could harm me. I was safe.
Grim escorted me to my room, clearly not believing me as I assured him that I was okay. Tomorrow, when I had a chance to calm down, I could repeat what happened.
