Page 17 of The Wallflower

BEL

For a second there,I thought I might make it. Everyone else is distracted by sex, fighting, or drinking. I've caught sight of a few campfires with all kinds of things happening around the soft light. Mostly, though, everyone has been running. But I haven't seen anyone for the past twenty minutes, not even a couple of the girls who kept pace with me.

I'm exhausted. When he grabs me, a tiny part of my brain saysthank goodness...because I'm exhausted.

But what the fuck am I thinking? It'shim. The one watching me, the football star from the library… Some part of me knows he’ll make me pay for getting free from him yesterday.

I kick off and try to squirm free. The other man who caught me is limping in the opposite direction.

He grips my hips tight enough I'll have bruises. "Where are you heading in such a rush, little wallflower? We haven't had the chance to chat yet."

I screech and try to pull free, but he's got me tight. "Fucking let mego."

I manage to get out of his hold, but I yank so hard my momentum takes me down to the brush. Then he’s there again, behind me, his hands on my hips at a new angle.

"By all means, if you can get out of my hold, please do. It'll make things even more fun. I can do whatever I want to you...but you can also do whatever you want tome."

I kick out, and I’m satisfied when my foot lands against his solid thigh, but all he gives me is a grunt. "I don't want to do anything to you. I just want to make you disappear."

He chuckles softly and molds his hands to the shape of my hips, spreading his fingers wider so he can touch more of me. "You think that now, but by the end of the night, you will be begging me to take the edge off."

I roll my eyes and wiggle harder, but he's like iron around me now. "I'll never beg you for anything. Now let me go."

I'm pulling so hard that when he releases me, I skitter forward on my hands, mud caking my nails and between my fingers. I don't even think about why he let me go. I clamor to my feet and rush forward into the dark. He'll catch me. I'm already winded, and he's a fucking football player, but maybe I can get to the cabin first.

I crash through the trees and the bushes, not bothering to stay quiet. What's the point now? No one in these woods is attempting to be quiet.

Leaves crunch underfoot, and I kick them up as I go. They crackle behind me too, and I know he's following, no doubt walking to match my slow-as-hell pace. I'd hoped I could put more distance between us, but shit, I underestimated how many just wanted to roll around and rut in the dirt.

Someone cuts close to my right, and I swerve around a tree and cut west. That's all I can do for now. I'm scared of being caught by him but even more scared of being caught...I guess by a different stranger.

I run faster and faster, trying to get as much distance as I'm able. When I can't run any longer, I slip behind a large tree and brace my back against the rough bark.

Why am I doing this to myself?It's supposed to be a damn game, yet my heart pounds and my blood whooshes in my ears so loudly, I couldn’t hear if someone were to sneak up on me. If I think logically about it, a game with a massive prize wouldn't be an easy win.

At this point, I'm regretting joining this stupid race. All of it. It might not be worth it, especially if he catches me. The only one who has been chasing me from the start.

I hear a call in the dark. "Littttlllleee walllflower...where are you?" His low timbre taunts, haunts even.

Shit. I know I can't just pop out and say sorry, made a mistake, I give up. He won't give a shit, and he won't let me walk away.None of them would.

I slide down the tree, the rough bark catching against my clothes as I hit the hard ground. My legs tremble from exhaustion, and my fingers are freezing. I hate this so much. I'd much rather be in my bed, cuddled in with a cup of tea and a book.

Who thinks this sort of thing is fun?

I wrap my arms around my knees and listen to the darkness, trying to pinpoint where he is. It's been quiet for a couple of minutes, but I don't trust it.

Up ahead, a woman comes crashing through some small trees, pushing off anything she can find to try to get some distance between her and her pursuer. A man appears only a couple of minutes later, following close. I press hard against the tree, attempting to make myself as small as possible so he doesn't notice me. Then again, I shouldn't be worried. He has his sights on his own prey.

He tackles the girl, and they land in the underbrush. I keep quiet as she fights, rolling onto her back to grapple with him. It takes seconds for him to secure her arms and pin her hips down underneath him.

She screams, a loud wail cutting through the night. I jolt and press against the tree, using it to get to my feet. One more scream like that, and I’ll have no option but to interfere. I won't sit here and be a witness to her rape.

She makes another small scream, then it shifts as he drags her underwear down and sinks inside her. I look away, not wanting to see, even as my body grows hot from the grunts he makes and the noises spilling out all around through the night.

What the hell am I doing here? This isn't me. I've never even had sex...and now...the prospect of losing my virginity in the mud is harrowing.

I take another deep breath and start walking again, heading deeper into the woods, hoping for a glimpse of the cabin every second. Even a hint, so I know this is worth it, and I can actuallymake itthere.

---