The Things that Chase us (Knightfall Security #1)

Prologue

Scarlett

“Sometimes surviving means running until someone finally gives you a reason to stop.”

I run through the trees as branches whip across my face and the forest floor tears into my bare feet.

My heart pounds faster with every step, beating so hard it feels like it might burst from my chest.

I have no idea where I’m going, I just know I need to get away from the monsters chasing me.

I can hear them behind me, calling my name as they crash through the woods. How could I have been so stupid?

I knew better than to leave my door unlocked while Celeste had people over. In public, we’re the perfect family: my dad, her mom, and then us. My dad had been so happy when he met Clara and discovered she had a daughter my age. He thought it would help me cope with losing Mom.

It didn’t.

Celeste is the epitome of evil. In front of our parents and everyone else, she plays the role of the perfect daughter.

But the second no one is watching, she turns into something cruel and vicious.

Our parents force me to be friends with her and her inner circle of assholes, which is exactly how I ended up sprinting through the woods wearing nothing but a ripped bra and a pair of cheeky underwear.

I run fast as I hear them getting closer.

“Scarlett, you can’t run from us!” one of the guys screams through the forest. “We’re going to get you, you little bitch…and when we do, you’ll learn what real pain feels like.”

Terror surges through me as I hear them gaining ground behind me, their footsteps pounding against the earth like a countdown to my death.

I try to force my body to move faster, but I’m already falling apart.

My bare feet are shredded and bleeding from thorns and broken branches.

Every step sends agony shooting up my legs.

My arms are scraped raw, and the bruises from their attack are already darkening into deep shades of purple beneath my skin.

I reach the top of a steep hill and nearly collapse with relief when I spot an opening in the trees.

Beyond the forest sits what looks like someone’s backyard.

Hope.

I sprint toward it as fast as my battered body will allow.

Behind me, I hear them climbing the hill, yelling and laughing like this is all some sick game, to them it is.

Who can break me first. My hands shake violently as I slam my finger against the doorbell over and over before pounding desperately on the door.

Please. Please let someone be home.

The door flies open, and I fall forward as the last of my strength gives out beneath me.

Strong arms catch me before I can hit the ground.

I look up and find myself staring into the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.

They aren’t quite green and not fully brown either, but a mixture of both; like autumn leaves just before they fall from the trees.

“What the fuck?” he growls. The words sound distant as panic and exhaustion drag me under.

I hear the door slam shut behind us before he lifts me effortlessly into his arms like I weigh nothing at all.

Heat radiates from his body, solid and safe, and for the first time all night, I don’t feel afraid.

I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as darkness finally pulls me under.