Page 33 of The Truth Between

I pushed forward, my lungs burning as I raced across the lawn. All my focus was on making it to the woods so that I could disappear. I was so close that I could taste my freedom.

But then it felt as if my world ended. I was suddenly grabbed from behind, causing me to scream just before a hand covered my mouth.

I struggled against the grip, but it was no use. Whoever had their hands on me was strong and determined to not let me go. I screamed against the hand, trying to get someone’s attention, but all my efforts were in vain. In fact, I now realized the irony of waiting until nighttime to avoid being seen by anyone when that environment meant no one would be able to hear me scream.

Fear and adrenaline took over as I tried to think of a way out. I kicked and thrashed, doing whatever I could to break free, but nothing worked. The person’s grip only tightened, and I was beginning to think that there was no way out of this. Tears began to stream down my face as I realized my chance at escaping this hellhole had probably been taken away from me.

“Not so fast. Where do you think you’re going?”

I froze at the sound, a chill racing down my spine that had nothing to do with the season. I don’t know why I was surprised that he’d figured out my plan and found me.

“Let me go!” I yelled, but my voice was muffled against the hand that covered my lips.

“Now, why would I do that, especially when you can’t seem to understand how to not disobey me?”

I was impressed he was able to make out what I said. Soren’s words struck deep as I tried to stop the tears that were falling from my face.

He brought his lips close to my ear and said, “When will you get it through your head that you can never escape me? Do you know why?”

I hesitated before I shook my head. He chuckled in my ear before he said, “Because I won’t allow it.”

Soren’s hand moved from my lips and turned me around so I could face him. My eyes widened in shock when I found that he had a mask on. If he’d had enough time to put it on, that must have meant he’d known I had this planned. Before I could say another word, his fingers moved to grip my chin, forcing me to look up at him. I almost closed my eyes to avoid looking into his because I was afraid of what I might see.

“How did you find me?” My voice shook as I asked the question.

“I have eyes all around this place, petal. You should have known better.”

His other hand came up and started tracing the line of my jaw. I shuddered under his touch as I wondered what he was going to do next.

“Please,” I whispered. The single word fell from my lips, and I waited with bated breath for his response.

Soren’s mouth curved into a cruel smile, and I swallowed hard. “Petal, you’re begging already? We’ve only just begun.” He leaned in closer, fingers tightening on my chin. “Clearly, I’ve been too lenient with you, but now all of that changes. I can’t wait to see the change in you once I’m through with you.”

A whimper that had been caught in my throat made itself known. I squeezed my eyes shut, but it did nothing to hold back the tears that were now in free fall down my cheeks. Thoughts of what he could do to me now that he’d caught me again filled my mind.

“I won’t do it again.”

“I know because I’ll make sure of it. It’s time you understood that you can run all you want, petal. But I’ll always be waiting in the shadows, ready to catch you.”

I swallowed hard as Soren crowded me even more, forcing me deeper into the forest.

20

IRIS

Soren pushed me through the forest until my back ended up against the bark of a tree. His dark stare bore into mine, and I could see the pure evil within its depths.

“What I can’t understand is why you fight me when you want this as much as I do.”

I thought about spitting on him, but all it would do was land on the mask. I struggled against the grip he had on me as panic crashed through me.

He leaned in, his lips grazing my neck as he found a sensitive spot there. A shiver ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold. “Do you remember what your safe word is?”

“Yeah, it’s fuck you,” I said as I tried to fight against his hold. But my efforts were in vain. He was way too strong.

Soren tightened his grip, his eyes narrowing. “Cute, but insulting me won’t save you.”

If I’d had any faith that I might be able to get out of this, it would have dropped to negative numbers at this point. There was no way I was going to be able to get away from this monster. Having him admit that he would always be there to bring me back to him was frightening as hell because I believed every word. He would chase me to the ends of the earth if he had to, and clearly, he had nothing to lose.

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