“Mine…or hers?” When I heard him grunt like a swine, I assumed he was swiftly growing tired of my shit. My eyes rolled over to the heap of pine straw and dead leaves. “I forgot the fucking shovel. You think it’ll be alright if I picked a good spot and covered her with nature?”
“…Amateur.”
“Yeah, well…that’s why I haveyou, Mr. Miyagi. She didn’t give me much, but I do have a couple names you can look for in that file.”
“Send text. I wait. Hurry.”
“Thanks, pal. Be there soon.”
No sooner than I shoved my phone back into my pocket, I heard a twig snap. My heart thudded and I looked towards the sound, but didn’t see anything. I am in the damned wilderness, though…and I wouldn’t blame some creature with claws and teeth for having my ass after inviting myself into their home and dumping trash in their living space. I hauled the flashlight out of the waist of my jeans and shined it in that direction just in time to see movement between two scrawny trees. I stopped dead. Not a single feature visible, but it’s damn sure a silhouette—and it’snotan animal.
I’m busted. Fuck, I really am an amateur.
My heart sped up and the sweat on my back went ice cold as it dripped down my spine. If I was winded before…I’m forgettinghowto breathe, now. It’s obviously a man. A tall one at that. Broad shoulders. He looks like he’s wearing a hooded jacket, but I can’t tell what else. I have no idea if he’s packing, carries as many knives as Malek usually did, or has something more handy than a cheapflashlightto whack me with. Hestepped forward and I was only able to make out a pair of worn black chucks. He’s either got his hands in his front pocket, or he’s getting ready to shoot my ass.
“I dunno who you are…but if you take another step, I’ve already found a great hiding spot for your body.” The beam of light teetered while my hand shook, and I used my other hand to peel my bloody knife from the sheath on my belt. “I’m not fucking around! I’ll carve you like theGreat Pumpkin, asshole!”
I could have sworn I heard him chuckle a little and he’s not stopping. He came into the light, hood pulled up and a full black ski mask with black paint around his eyes, and contacts the color of acid. Like a nightmare in neon.
That’s um…that’s kinda hot. I’ll still kill the bitch, though.
He closed the space before I could think clearly and I went straight into defense—with the wrong fucking hand. The light bounced off of every tree in the woods while I swung the flashlight, missing him by inches and he snatched my wrist with a gloved hand. I growled, bashing his fingers with the head of the light, knocking the knife from my hand and causing the cheap lamp to burn out. Now we’re in the fucking dark. Lovely.
Simon’s gonna have to forgive me. I clocked the guy good enough on his knuckles that they snapped back, giving me a chance to make a break for it…and that’s precisely what I’m gonna do. I took off, running blind through the woods and picking up my pace every time I thought I heard him gaining on me. I’ve never been scared like this. It’s not easy to do, honestly. It’s equal parts a thrill, and a struck match lighting a fuse that’s got me more pissed off than I usually am. This wasnothow this night was supposed to go. Branches slapped my face as I hauled ass through bramble and brush, and I have absolutely no clue where I’m going.
What seemed like an hour later, but probably was only about twenty minutes, I’m down to my last dregs of energy.I don’t hear him. I don’t hear much of anything, actually. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, reminding me how idiotic and unseasoned I am when it comes to this kind of stealth. I could have probably already made it to my car if I’d remembered the fucking thing was still in my jeans.
“Simon?”
“Take long. Still wait.”
I deliriously fidgeted with my apps and pulled up the hotspot from my car, waiting for my phone to catch up and tell me where to go. “I’ve got a problem.”
“Several.”
“There’s somebody out here. I dunno who it is. I think I’m pegged. He chased me through the woods and I lost your knife.” Simon sighed hard and I gnawed on my lip, stumbling towards my right, where my ticket outta here blinked on the screen.
“Shamrock kill me. Safe?”
“Don’t you dare call him. I’m good. I lost him, but I’m pretty sure he knows what I was out here doing.”
“Get out. Straight here. We check later.”
“Okay.”
What’s left of my senses are on high alert, but it only took me about ten more minutes to find the dirt path where I parked. There’s still blood all over the ground. I kicked the dirt around, covering it, and slammed my car door shut as I flopped into the driver’s seat. I made a truly horrible three-point-turn…fine, an eight-point-turn, and bolted down the pathway. My brakes screeched and dust flew up in front of my headlights as that same asshole stood with his hands in his pockets—right in front of my car.
Okay, fucker…now I’m bigger and tougher. Dare you.
He stood there like a smug ass, and I revved the engine. Not a single movement. He’s toying with me. No wonder I didn’t hear him behind me. He’s gonna out me instead. Now,I’m fucking feral. My foot stomped on the gas pedal, and I could feel the smile through his mask as the car squealed and jolted forward. Don’t ask me why…but I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the thump of the second body I’d leave in these woods tonight.
…Only there wasn’t one…
I slammed on the brakes, checking every angle and seeing nothing. He’s gone. Completely disappeared.
I’m so fucked.
I shifted gears and left Witherle in the dust.
