Chapter 10 Open World #2
Levi rounded the desk, intending to drag it toward his makeshift barricade, when his body froze mid-motion. The blood in his veins turned to ice as his gaze fixed on what lay on the office floor.
The stranger lay on a bedroll, his chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of sleep.
His features were relaxed, softened by unconsciousness, making him look almost innocent.
He’d removed his shirt, only wearing a too-tight black wifebeater that revealed a torso sculpted with lean muscle.
One arm was tucked beneath his head, using a backpack as a makeshift pillow.
But something was wrong with the scene. The stranger’s breathing was too regular, too controlled. His eyelids didn’t flutter with REM sleep, and his body held a tension that contradicted true rest.
He’s faking it. He’s been waiting for me.
Levi’s lungs refused to function. His heart hammered so violently he feared the sound might give him away. The stranger’s chest continued its hypnotic rise and fall, but now Levi could see the subtle signs of deception.
A hunting knife lay within arm’s reach of the “sleeping” figure, its blade gleaming dully in the dim light. Positioned too conveniently, too deliberately for someone who was truly unconscious.
Time stretched and compressed around Levi as he stared down at his tormentor.
The stranger looked different in this false repose—still dangerous, but somehow more human.
His face lacked the active predatory intensity that haunted Levi across multiple deaths, though the threat remained coiled beneath the surface.
I could end this now.
The thought crystallized with shocking clarity. Levi’s gaze darted to the knife, calculating the distance. Three steps. One quick movement. Drive the blade into the stranger’s heart while he maintained his charade. No more chases. No more deaths. No more loops.
His gaze traced the contours of the stranger’s exposed torso despite himself, following the elegant line of his collarbone, the subtle definition of his abdomen. The symmetry of his form seemed obscene in its beauty—like a sculpture come to life.
Stop staring and grab the knife. Now.
Shame burned through Levi at his hesitation, at the unwanted appreciation his brain betrayed. He’d seen this man murder his friends. Had felt his hands crushing his throat, drowning him, shooting him. Had tasted his lips in a mockery of intimacy.
He’s a monster. He deserves this.
Levi inched forward, each movement painfully slow, conscious of every creak in the floorboards beneath his feet. His hand extended toward the knife, trembling as his fingers hovered above the handle.
One quick thrust. End it.
The knife felt heavier than expected when he finally grasped it, the leather-wrapped handle warm against his palm—too warm, as if it had been recently held.
Levi positioned himself above the “sleeping” figure, raising the blade with both hands.
His arms shook with exhaustion and fear, the tip of the knife wavering in the air above the stranger’s chest.
Do it. He won’t show you mercy. Don’t show him any.
Levi’s knuckles whitened around the handle. His muscles tensed, preparing for the resistance of flesh and bone.
The blade plunged downward.
A hand shot up with lightning speed, catching Levi’s wrist mid-strike. The stranger’s fingers wrapped around his forearm with crushing force, stopping the knife inches from its target. The stranger’s breathing remained unchanged, maintaining the illusion even as he defended himself.
“That’s not very sporting of you,” he said, voice thick with mock disappointment and barely concealed amusement.
Terror paralyzed Levi as the stranger’s eyes finally opened and fixed on him with delight rather than anger. The stranger’s grip tightened, bones grinding together in Levi’s wrist until his fingers involuntarily released the knife. It clattered to the floor beside the bedroll.
“I was wondering when you’d find me,” the stranger said, sitting up with fluid grace, still maintaining his grip on Levi’s wrist. “I’ve been waiting. Though I must say, your approach lacks subtlety.”
Levi’s mind fractured with panic. He yanked backward, trying to break free, but the stranger’s hold remained unbreakable. His other hand scrabbled at the fingers crushing his wrist.
“L-let me go!”
“But you just arrived.” His free hand gestured around the small office. “Do you like my accommodations? Not exactly five-star, but it has a certain rustic charm.”
With a sudden twist, the stranger pulled Levi off-balance, using his momentum to roll sideways. The world tilted as Levi found himself pinned beneath the stranger’s weight, those impossible eyes hovering inches from his own.
“There you are,” the stranger whispered, his breath warm against Levi’s face. “Now we can have some real fun.”
Levi bucked upward, struggling to dislodge the weight pressing him into the floor. The stranger laughed and rose to his feet in an instant, retrieving the knife with a casual flick of his wrist.
“You’ve gotten bolder,” he observed, circling Levi as he scrambled upright. “I like it. Shows initiative.”
Levi backed toward the doorway, gaze fixed on the weapon. The filing cabinet and chair blocked his escape, trapping him in the small office. His back bumped against the desk, momentarily throwing him off-balance.
“Nowhere to run this time,” the stranger said. “Just you and me in this cozy little room.”
The stranger lunged forward, closing the distance between them with frightening speed. Levi darted sideways, avoiding the outstretched hand that grabbed at his shirt. His hip collided with the desk corner, sending a jolt of pain through his already exhausted body.
“You’re quick,” the stranger noted with approval, adjusting his grip on the knife. “But this room is very small, and I know every inch of it.”
They circled each other in the confined space, a deadly dance of predator and prey.
Levi’s gaze darted, searching for anything he could use as a weapon.
A letter opener on the desk. A heavy paperweight.
A brass lamp with a substantial base. All just out of reach while the stranger controlled the center of the room.
“What’s your rush?” The stranger’s voice dropped to a purr as he feinted left, forcing Levi to stumble rightward. “You went to so much trouble to find me. To find Riverbend.” He gestured with the knife toward the walls around them. “Aren’t you curious why I’m here?”
Levi’s shoulder bumped against the filing cabinet, momentarily distracting him. The stranger pounced, seizing the opportunity. But instead of going for the kill, he herded Levi toward the corner, using the threat of the blade to control his movement.
“I’ve been exploring,” the stranger continued. “This town has such interesting history. Would you like to hear about it?”
Levi feinted toward the desk, hoping to grab the brass lamp. The stranger anticipated the move, sliding between him and his target with fluid grace. The knife swept in a wide arc, not to wound but to discourage, forcing Levi back against the wall.
“The mine collapse of 1952,” the stranger said, pressing his advantage.
“Twelve men trapped underground. The town tried to dig them out, but the deeper they went, the more unstable the ground became.” His gaze never left Levi’s face, even as he maneuvered with spatial awareness.
“They had to choose between saving the trapped men or saving the town.”
Levi tried to duck under the stranger’s arm, but found his path blocked by the extended blade. Sweat dripped down his face as exhaustion and terror combined to sap his remaining strength.
“They chose the town,” the stranger finished, backing Levi into the corner where wall met filing cabinet. “Sealed the mine. Left those men to die in the dark.
With nowhere left to retreat, Levi made a desperate grab for the stranger’s wrist, trying to control the knife. For a moment, they grappled, Levi’s fingers wrapped around the stranger’s forearm, feeling the surprising warmth of his skin and the corded muscle beneath.
The stranger allowed the struggle to continue for several heartbeats, seeming to enjoy the contact. Then, with almost casual strength, he twisted free and slammed Levi back against the wall. The knife pressed against Levi’s throat, the cold metal a familiar sensation against his skin.
“There we go,” the stranger whispered, his face inches from Levi’s. “Isn’t this better? More intimate?”
Levi’s chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths. The stranger’s body pressed against his, bare skin radiating heat through Levi’s thin t-shirt. The knife pricked his throat, a pinpoint of pain that threatened to become catastrophic with the slightest pressure.
“What do you w-want?” Levi managed, voice cracking.
The stranger’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his mismatched eyes. “A real kiss this time.” His free hand came up to cradle Levi’s jaw with disturbing tenderness. “Not that frightened little thing by the river. Something you mean.”
Horror flooded Levi’s system as the stranger’s intention became clear. “N-no—”
The stranger pressed the knife more firmly against his throat, the sharp edge drawing a thin line of blood.
“You owe me. I let you find me, after all. I’ve been very patient.
” The hand on Levi’s jaw tightened, forcing his face upward.
“If you bite me, I’ll cut out your tongue. And then we’ll start over. Understand?”
Levi’s throat worked as he swallowed against the pressure of the blade. A small nod was all he could manage.
“Good boy,” the stranger murmured, voice warming with approval.
The knife eased slightly as the stranger leaned in, his lips brushing against Levi’s with unexpected gentleness. The kiss started soft, almost hesitant—nothing like the violence Levi expected. The stranger’s thumb stroked Levi’s cheekbone with something that felt disturbingly like affection.
Levi stood frozen, eyes wide open, watching the stranger’s face blur with proximity. The knife remained at his throat, a constant reminder of the threat beneath the tenderness. The stranger’s tongue traced the seam of his lips, seeking entry with patient persistence.
Bile rose in Levi’s throat as he forced himself to comply, parting his lips slightly. The stranger made a sound of approval—a low rumble that vibrated through his chest—and deepened the kiss. His hand moved from Levi’s jaw to the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair.
It lasted an eternity—gentle yet commanding, tender yet threatening.
Despite everything, despite the knife and the terror and the knowledge of what this man was capable of, Levi’s body began to respond.
Heat spread through his chest, his heart rate increased for reasons that had nothing to do with fear, and shame burned hotter than the arousal as his body betrayed his mind.
When the stranger finally pulled back, his mismatched eyes were dark with something that made Levi’s stomach twist. The stranger’s breathing had roughened, his pupils dilated.
“See? That wasn’t so terrible, was it?”
Levi couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. The evidence of his body’s treacherous response was obvious, impossible to hide in their close proximity.
The stranger’s gaze tracked downward, a smile spreading across his features like sunrise. “Well, well,” he huffed, voice rich with satisfaction. “Isn’t that interesting?”
“P-please,” Levi whispered, the word barely audible. “Don’t.”
The knife trailed down from Levi’s throat, over his collarbone, continuing its descent until it reached the hem of his t-shirt. With a quick, precise movement, the stranger sliced through the fabric, splitting it open from bottom to top.
Cool air hit Levi’s exposed chest as the ruined shirt fell open. The stranger’s gaze darkened further as it roamed over newly revealed skin, taking in every detail with hungry appreciation.
“Beautiful,” he breathed, the knife continuing its path along Levi’s sternum without breaking skin. The cold metal left a trail of sensation that made Levi shudder. “I knew you would be.”
Something snapped inside Levi. Terror overrode his paralysis, sending a surge of desperate strength through his limbs. He shoved hard against the stranger’s chest, the sudden movement catching his tormentor off guard.
The stranger stumbled backward, thrown off-balance. Levi lunged for the desk, fingers closing around the heavy brass lamp. He swung it wildly, connecting with the stranger’s shoulder in a satisfying impact.
The blow sent shockwaves up Levi’s arm. The stranger laughed—a sound of genuine delight—as he ducked the second swing with fluid grace.
Levi backed toward the filing cabinet, lamp held before him like a shield. The stranger advanced slowly, knife glinting in the dim light. His bare chest showed a reddening mark where the lamp had struck, but he moved with undiminished grace.
“You’re making this so much more fun than the others,” the stranger said, circling to cut off Levi’s path to the door. “They just cowered and begged. But you—you have spirit.”
Levi’s back hit the desk again. Desperate, he swept his arm across its surface, sending papers and office supplies flying toward his attacker. The stranger batted them away effortlessly, never losing his predatory focus, though his smile widened with appreciation.
“Resourceful too,” he noted, deflecting a flying paperweight with the flat of his blade. “I do so enjoy a challenge.”
Their deadly dance continued, Levi wielding the lamp with increasing desperation as the stranger toyed with him.
The killer occasionally let the knife nick skin—small, stinging cuts on his arms and shoulders that drew beads of blood but caused no serious damage.
Each cut was precisely placed, designed to wound but not disable.
“You’re learning,” the stranger observed as Levi managed to avoid a particularly aggressive feint. “Adapting. I wonder what else you’re capable of.”
A miscalculated step sent Levi stumbling over the bedroll. He crashed to the floor, the lamp flying from his grip and skittering across the wooden planks. Before he could recover, the stranger was on him.
The stranger flipped Levi onto his stomach and pressed a knee into the small of Levi’s back, pinning him to the floor with uncomfortable pressure.
“Careful now,” the stranger warned as Levi struggled beneath him. “You wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
One hand gathered Levi’s wrists, twisting his arms behind his back. The position sent spikes of pain through his shoulders, already strained from the earlier struggle.
“There we go,” the stranger whispered, his voice close to Levi’s ear, breath warm against his neck. “Much better. Now we can really get to know each other.