Hands shaking I find the right key, missing the hole several times before the metal clicks into place, granting me entry. Flinging my entire body through the opening, I shut the heavy door behind me, locking it with tears streaming down my face.
I crumple, my legs folding beneath me before I even have a chance to catch myself.
I know I should move away from the door and check if this creep who messaged me is here, but my limbs feel like liquid. I can’t do anything but exist on this tiny pink rug in my foyer. It absorbs my blood into the fibers, leaving a stain. I’m faintly aware of my nakedness, still in disbelief at what I just did. Listening to some psychopath’s demands. They could have just been bluffing and I fell for their ruse, so desperate to keep my secrets. To keep this new life. To stay the hell away from Kingston and the nightmares that still plague me.
Trembling, I type out a reply to the number and the read receipt appears immediately.
I wait for those dreaded three dots to show, but it doesn’t. Another minute ticks by. And then another. Still nothing.
My heart rate slows, and the chill that’s settled into my bones begins to thaw.
Maybe they were just messing with me. And I was stupid enough to fall for it.
Crawling, I manage to pull my exhausted body up to standing. I feel like Bambi learning how to walk as I stumble down the hallway and into my bedroom. The silk red robe hanging in my closet beckons to me, so I snatch it from the hook on the back of my door and yank it onto my shoulders The slick fabric wraps around me in its familiar comfort. It takes everything in me to make it to my bed. My knees give out and I fall hard into my mattress, passing out before my head even hits the pillow.
CHAPTER 5
THE MISFIT
27 YEARS OLD
The fresh nightair greets me as the faint red glow from the Motel sign lights up the crumbling parking lot. My black Jeep and the night shift manager’s station wagon are the only vehicles occupying the expanse. The town is one that built itself with the expectation that people would want to visit such a quiet place. But with nothing of note nearby, only the residents and a few passersby frequent these streets. At least they’re populated enough to have a steady stream of chain take out restaurants lining the main road. They have enough people in this town to not raise suspicion of my being here. Not like back in Kingston where any outsider is immediately met with the neighborhood watch. Telephones ringing alerting people to the newcomer’s presence. Superstitious, small-minded fucks. It’s a miracle Hazel escaped that place like she did.
Most people don’t.
The place wraps a noose around your neck from the moment you enter, making it almost impossible to leave. Most of the students ended up staying on as counselors, or coming back as teachers. Or, if you’re like my brother, become the mayor of the whole fucking town.
I take the path that winds into the sparse woods tucked against the side of the building. It leads straight to her back yard.
Perfect.
Fine.
Another text comes in just as I’m arriving at her place. I sneak past the tall fence line that separates her property from the neighbor’s, to get to the front where I can see her clearly. They seem the type to keep to themselves. Closed off and self-involved. The ideal components for stalking the girl of my dreams.
The lights are all on in Hazel’s little one-story, ranch-style house. It’s homey and unassuming. A shadow passes in front of her windows, and my cock hardens knowing that she’s right within my reach. I pull out my phone from my front pocket and snap a series of pictures, as her form moves frantically to the door. I make sure to tuck myself firmly against the tree, molding my body to the bark.
She never saw me back at Kingston Prep. I was just a friend to her. But I’ll make her see me now. Now, she can’t ignore me.
The door opens with a jolt, slicing a sliver of light against the dark street, illuminating her perfect voluptuous silhouette. Golden hued hair hangs over her breasts as she clutches her hands around her body. Barefooted, she takes off at full speed, looking in every direction, trying to find me. Trying to see if anyone is watching her little escapade. Her feet slap against the pavement, breaking up the deafening quiet of the chilly autumn night. I follow, slow enough for her not to notice, but close enough to catch the way her body moves.
Terrified.
Sultry.
Fucking,mine.
She’s so close, yet so far from where I need her to be. But she’ll get there. I’ll break her down with this little game we’re playing, until she has no choice but to bend to my will. She’s already doing such a good job listening to my instructions.
Turning the corner, she trips, spilling out onto the rocky pavement.
I stop, making sure no one is coming.
She dusts herself off, clearly shaking before forcing herself to continue. Limping and visibly slower than she was just a minute ago, she forces herself forward, glancing behind her. Eyes wild and full of fear, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Oh, my little doe. I can’t wait to show you what true fear looks like.
Her pace speeds up. Clearly spooked by being out here, alone and naked for anyone to see. I wonder what she’s thinking right now. I wonder if she can feel me out here with her, lurking in the shadows.
I’ve waited for this moment for years, and now that it’s here, now that I’ve finally found her, it’s ten times better than I ever imagined. Playing with her, knowing that I’m the one causing her heart to beat fast. The one making her sweat.
