Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
“I-I’ll scream,” I threaten, trying to keep my voice from shaking. I fail, my voice holding all the confidence of a cornered church mouse.
His eyebrows raise and his mouth tilts up into a smirk. “Go ahead.”
I suck in a breath, forcing my lungs to expand beyond their capacity as I prepare to release the most blood-curdling screech I can muster. My mouth opens, but his open palm quickly covers it.
He leans in close, his breath dancing along my jaw. “But know that everyone who hears you, dies tonight.”
The statement makes my jaw drop, but the only sound that escapes is the soft whoosh of my breath. It wheezes from between my lips like a deflating balloon. My heart feels like it's doing the same thing, shrinking and deflating under the crushing weight of my fear.
“Your screams,” he says, his thumb caressing my bottom lip, “are for my ears alone, little bird.”
His arm drops away from my back, leaving only the chill of the night air in its place.
He steps back, putting space between us.
Looking at his long arms and the span of their reach, the few feet between us feel like only inches.
My knees quake, unable to remain still while the anxious energy zaps through my nerve endings like little sparks of lightning.
His arms cross over his chest and he waits, eyebrows raise in question. He’s testing me, daring me to defy him. Finding myself suddenly unable to meet his steely gaze, I look anywhere but at him.
My eyes dart back and forth, seeking out the lives that would be snuffed out if I cried for help.
Across the street, a group of college boys nearly tumble out of a bar with their arms linked to hold each other up.
Their laughter echoes on the breeze. It bounces down the busy street, passing a middle-aged couple leaving a restaurant holding hands.
It ripples through an alleyway where two young men kiss, their bodies molded together as they tease and giggle.
My heart seizes in my chest. I press my lips together tightly, forcing back the cry that begs to jump from my throat. My life isn’t worth all of theirs, but I don’t doubt his words. Not after what he’s done already.
My eyes travel back to the monster in front of me who has a cruel grin plastered on his face.
Panic squeezes its icy fingers around my lungs.
Chills skitter down my limbs, raising goosebumps on my skin.
My eyes connect with his for a moment and his lips tip up.
I don’t give myself a moment to think before I spin on my heels and run.
My heels clatter against the concrete as my legs pump wildly, desperate to put distance between us. I sprint down the sidewalk, flying past busy shops and restaurants. My body weaves, narrowly avoiding a collision with a man strolling leisurely.
He yells out, “Watch it, lady!”
I can only hope my panicked eyes convey my apology because I don’t stop. I cannot stop.
At the nearest intersection, I pivot my body hastily. I wobble on my feet, nearly pitching forward as I make the rapid turn.
The deep bass of his voice booms behind me, “Run as fast as you can, baby. You’ll regret it when I catch you.”
His laughter ricochets against the concrete and bricks around me, making it sound like he’s everywhere all at once. A sob rips from my throat and I push my legs faster, faster, faster.
Using what I hope is accurate information from every action movie I’ve ever seen, I careen down the streets, turning as often as I can. Streetlights whiz past, becoming a hazy blur against the tears in my eyes. I try to track my movements in my head. Left, right, left, left, right.
I sneak a glance at the nearest street sign, Layton Avenue. I don’t even know where that is. I have no idea where I am. Looking around, I realize that the bustling shops and businesses have thinned out, leaving me surrounded by only empty warehouses and construction sites.
The sounds of the city have faded, too. I can scarcely make out the sound of distant car horns over the rapid pounding of my heart.
Tears stream from my eyes, dribbling down my cheeks and neck.
My feet, having gone numb at least a quarter of a mile ago, quake beneath me, causing me to lose my footing and tumble forward.
My knees crash into the uneven concrete, sending a sharp pain vibrating up my leg.
Fire erupts in my palms as my hands slide against the ground.
Pressing my elbows into the road, I push myself back up just enough to stumble into the nearest alley before falling to the ground beside a rusted, metal dumpster.
Crouched down with my heels teetering beneath me, I fall apart. I press my aching palm to my mouth to stifle the sob that rips through my body.
How did this happen to me? How did I end up here? I should never have agreed to go on this stupid date. I should have hidden in my house with the doors and windows locked, praying he wouldn't come back. But now, he's here.
And he's pissed.
I squint, trying to adjust my eyes to the darkness around me.
Slivers of light fall from distant windows and sporadically places streetlights, illuminating just enough for me to see the place I may likely die in when he finds me.
Used tissues and empty candy bar wrappers skitter across the ground, pushed by a cold wind.
A wind that bites at my bruised knees and nips at my ankles.
I didn't think he'd kill me before, but now I'm not so sure. Is this really where I'm meant to die? Alone, cowering behind a damned dumpster?
My father's voice echoes in my mind. You're not strong. There's no fight in you, girl. You're nothing but a scared, little rabbit. I shake my head, forcing the thoughts to dissipate.
I can't die tonight. I won't. I just need to stay hidden. I just need to hide long enough that he gives up his search. I'm not worth the trouble of searching in the cold. Surely, he'll see that.