18. Alexis
CHAPTER 18
Alexis
R olling over in my bed, I pick up my phone, squinting at the time and groaning.
It’s 7:30 a.m. Why the hell am I awake?
With a long sigh, I roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling.
Go back to sleep.
But I can’t.
I heave out a sigh, haunted by the dream I had last night.
I should be ashamed for dreaming about a hot man wearing a Ghostface mask chasing me through the woods. Especially since that actually happened to me yesterday.
My dream rolls through my head. I picture the way his tight tee strained against his muscular torso. When he ran, his defined quad muscles strained against the material of his sweatpants as he chased after me. It was so hot that my body was on fire. Although I was putting on a good show, I wanted to be caught.
Somehow, I knew he wasn’t going to kill me.
Even through the mask, the desire burning from his irises told me he had something else in mind entirely.
Ugh. Stop it. It’s a sick fantasy. You need to get it out of your head.
Frustrated by my thoughts, I climb out of bed. Maybe a run in the woods will unscramble my brain. I made the mistake of going at twilight, but surely it’ll be safer during the day.
Besides, Evan mentioned a party last night, so most students will probably still be passed out. It should be safe.
My eyes go to the gloomy gray landscape blanketing our apartment. For a minute, doubt rolls through my head as I shiver.
I shake it off. I can’t let fear control me. I’ve done that enough in my life.
I pull on a pair of running tights and a short-sleeved tee before grabbing my running shoes.
Moving to my bedroom door, I quietly open it, peering across the hallway to Evan’s bedroom. The door is closed, so I assume he’s still sleeping.
I tiptoe to the bathroom and go through my regular morning routine. After putting my hair in a ponytail, I quietly exit and move to the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of water, I open it and drink the entire thing before heading to the front door and entering the outside world.
I ease into the run, warming up my tired muscles as I head to the same trail I ran yesterday.
Evan is going to be so pissed when he finds out.
The thought makes me smile. Even though we had a good night together, I feel foolish in the harsh light of day. I willingly flung myself into my enemy’s arms, seeking comfort.
I’m lost in thought when my foot slips. My arms fly out for balance, keeping me from falling. I glance down at the rock as I keep moving, berating myself for the distraction.
Focus, Lexi.
Looking up, I blink in surprise at the fog blanketing the forest. It’s thicker out here, so dense I can barely see the trail in front of me. The gloomy atmosphere gives me goosebumps.
I whirl around, intending to return the way I came, but I stop when I see him blocking my path. My eyes widen as I stare in disbelief. It’s Ghostface.
He’s so close to me—too close.
The masked man cocks his head, his chest heaving beneath his tee. That slight movement is enough to trigger my fight-or-flight response.
Whirling around, my heart pounds inside my chest, terror coursing through my veins as I run into the thick fog. I hear his feet pounding on the trail behind me, and I pump my arms, my leg muscles and lungs burning.
What does he want? To kill me or… something else?
Knock it off. He probably wants to kill you. Not fuck you.
My speed slows as I run uphill. Panic grips me, and my breaths are shallow as I push my thigh muscles harder, my arms pumping. Please, legs, don’t fail me now . Not when his footsteps thunder inside my ears, matching my erratic pulse, growing closer and closer.
Relief fills me as I reach the top of the hill. Although the fog is thick, I glimpse the downward slope of the trail, which will be easier on my aching quads.
I make the cardinal mistake of looking over my shoulder. My eyes bulge from terror as I see the black and white mask right behind me.
Before I turn around, my foot slips. My ankle twists, and I gasp before crying out in pain.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I brace myself for the fall, praying I don’t fall and can escape the man behind me.