“Oomph.”
The brunt of the impact knocks the breath from my lungs, and I lose my balance. I stumble to the floor. Blink. Lights are flashing. Smoke is curling—wrapping around my neck like Static’s hand once did.
I reach up and copy the motion, needing to distance myself from the memory, but before my fingers wrap around, they’re ripped away.
“Too slow, darlin’…” His voice drawls heavily in my ear.
“O-oh, no…” I whimper.
Static chuckles, and Iburn.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Good Boy
Static
My little mouse looks so scared, and I’ve never been more excited.
He’s dressed in dark jeans and a faded green t-shirt that fits his slim, soft form perfectly. His eyes are wide as he stares at Mayhem with apprehension. I swear I can see his throat bob with a gulp as he closes the door to the car he drove, taillights reflecting in the fading light of the sunset.
“Here we go,” I murmur as I run my gloved finger along the edge of the computer screen. I decided to keep the security cameras up and running tonight, just so I can keep an eye out for my treat, and I’m so glad I did.
He looks absolutely perfect through a lens.
I watch Madison pull his phone out and send a text—which makes my own phone go off in my pocket. I pull it out and smirk.
Darlin:
I’m here.
He’s so precious, it squeezes my heart. He probably doesn’t think I can see him, but I can. I do.
And I know what he’s going to do.
Me:
Ever play hide n seek
Cause youre about to
And then, I throw my axe across the room, so it thuds against the wall, the sound reverberating throughout Mayhem.
Me:
Run
Madison screams, and it’s beautiful. He takes off running toward the motel, which I find surprisingly lovely. I kind of figured he’d take off in the opposite direction, but no. He’s coming toward me.
Like he actually wants this, too.
He rips open the door and disappears inside. I flip through the cameras on the other monitor until I find the hall he’s running down, and then, I smile.
There he is.
I push out of the chair and grab my axe to start my hunt.
I fuckin’ love some hide ‘n seek.
