“What is it?” I ask not really interested because I didn’t care for his games, not really.
“Its called ‘hunt thy prey’. It’s a simple. Game, all you have to do is run and the hunter will hunt you down and catch you.”
“Like hunting for animals?” I ask.
“Exactly, except humans are much more fun.” He winks. “Hunters, grab your masks and find your prey.”
He doesn’t wait for a response. He gets up and leaves the room while everyone starts running. I watch as they get hyped to find their prey and roll my eyes at them all.
It was like some rich society that played a game for their own enjoyment. If this was a horror movie, they’d kill them once they caught them—I was grateful it wasn’t.
I dart in and out of the throes of people that scattered around the house and quietly stepped outside, walking into the woods where I would hide until their silly game was over.
Nobody would find me out here.
Out in the creepy woods, I would be safe.
11
ASHTON
The chase was on, and I had a little bird to catch.
I slip into the shadows as I watch them all scurrying, eager to play tonight’s terrifying game. They thought I’d planned this game for them, but I had planned it for her.
It was all for her.
She didn’t know it yet, but this was the last game she would play with them and then we could really have some fun.
I know where she’s headed. A little brave, if not stupid, I watched her dart outside among the trees. She thinks she’s smart, dodging all the others who scattered around the estate because she doesn’t think anyone is hunting her.
She’s wrong.
Alone.
In the dark.
In the woods.
I knew my little bird would make my hunt delicious. I climb the stairs to the trophy room. Each mask is laid in a glass case surrounded by lights.
Once upon a time, there were many men who would choose a mask to hunt their prey, taking on a different persona, and now it was just me.
My fingers tap against the glass as I choose a mask befitting a beast that would hide my true identity, hide my true voice.
My fingers tease over the glass box with a black mask that has crosses for eyes and joker smile for a mouth, little scars under the eyes imitate crosses painted in red, my fingers press the red button to release the box and show my baby to me.
Yes, this was perfect to hunt, my little bird.
Placing the mask across my face, I look in the adjoining mirror and smile. Not that you could see it, although the mask held a permanent smile.
I walk through the estate and watch as they chase there willing victim through the house, none of them had a clue how to do it properly, stopping by the kitchen, I find a twisted straight piece of metal and skewer a toffee apple on top of it, sliding it in my pocket I smirk as I feel my knife hit against it.
I was ready for her.
I shake my head as I make my way outside. Feeling the cold autumn air swirl around my body, the excitement pumps through my veins.
I’d given her a head start. She should be deep inside the forest by now. So deep that nobody would hear her scream.
