Chapter Six
Summer?
Feeling the tense muscles in my body begin to loosen with each step, I feel an odd surge of adrenaline rush through my body but, at the same time, an unbelievable exhaustion that I’ve never felt before. Putting it down to the intense day, I continue down the street. After a few moments, I begin to look at my surroundings. Quickly realizing I’m lost, I look around the street, hoping to see something familiar from earlier, but it’s no use.
As the dark evening has descended, the entire street looks completely different. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I pull my phone from my purse, admitting defeat and searching for an Uber. As the app opens, I feel a presence approaching, but before I can turn, I feel myself being shoved into the adjacent alleyway. Losing my footing I hit the concrete floor with a thud. Blinking a couple times, a large silhouette stands in the entrance of the alleyway. Spotting the knife in their hands, I beg.
“Please just take it.” I throw my purse onto the floor in front of them. “Just take it.”
My pleading words appear amusing to the figure as they chuckle. I squint a couple of times as they lift their balaclava off, revealing a familiar tattooed face from the McDonalds last night. Moving from my side, I sit on my ass, trying to ignore the pain and blinding fear.
The figure takes a couple of steps forward, and squatting down, he reveals a crooked smirk. His facial tattoos make him appear more than unsettling. I study his face, but he seems to be taking his time with his mugging.
Shit has he been following me?
Every hair on my body stands up on end as the thought of him raping and killing me here in this alleyway sends my soul into a spiral. Shuffling back slightly, he allows the light to reflect off his knife, drawing my attention to the shiny blade.
“You’re in big trouble, Summer.” His tone is haunting and sarcastic. His sinister smile stays etched on his face, whilst he continues. “You can’t just walk away from Mr. Maine without repercussions.”
I swallow hard as my hands dig into the dirt. My eyes don’t move from the man while he blocks my exit from the alleyway and continues his taunts.
“What do you want?” I ask with fake confidence, knowing as the figure cocks his head to one side that he can see right through my fa?ade.
“Well, it’s kind of my choice.”
I blink a few times, trying to process his chilling words.
“Mr Maine kinda left it up to me. If I teach you a lesson, he’s happy.”
“A lesson?” I ask hesitantly as my lips quiver.
He nods, focusing on the long blade he holds between his fingers.
“Maybe if I cut that pretty face, those scars would be a constant reminder of who not to fuck with.” I feel my blood run cold through my veins as he continues. “Or maybe, I could destroy that sweet cunt of yours. Mental scars can be crippling.”
I feel the bile rise in my throat; a cold sweat begins to run down my back. My eyes dart in between the two buildings, and cars whizz past every few seconds, but I know no one would hear my screams back here. I would be found days later, mutilated by some fucking monster.
A monster paid by another monster because he’s too much of a fucking weak coward to come and get his own hands dirty. Pushing off the floor, I slowly rise to my feet, the stranger follows. His large frame looms over me, standing at what feels like a foot taller than me. As my entire body shakes with fear, I have no escape plan. My eyes dart around, but there’s no weapon to hand. I feel truly lost for this moment, with no glimmer of hope in sight.
Taking a step towards me, I take two back. His large hand surges towards my throat, wrapping it around my neck tight. Stumbling in my boots, I feel my body being slammed into the stone wall, and a garbled cry escapes me in the process. His body pressed into mine, shuddering when I feel his disgusting hot breath on my ear.
“We’re gonna have some fun, Summer. You’ll never forget our time together.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the strength this stranger has. I’m thrown back onto the floor even harder than before, causing me to skid in the dirt. My skull bounces off the hard surface, laying on my side, and my vision is blurred. A high-pitched noise rings in my ears, unable to focus on anything else. Feeling disorientated, I see his silhouette begin to approach me with my shaky vision, but it’s the figure standing behind him that causes me to scream.
Spotting a heavy pair of black boots approach, I lift my head enough to look past a stranger threatening me. A large, hooded figure stands behind the stranger, but he’s wearing a black mask as he raises his head. The attacker turns immediately, and like a caged animal, I faintly hear him speak, slowly raising his hands in defense.
“Woah, this is a fucking mistake.” Before he can say anything further, I see the blood fall from his body, splattering at his feet before he drops to his knees. I watch in horror as he falls to the floor, a garbled moan escaping his limp body before he stops moving altogether.
Taking a calm step over the body, the masked man halts in front of me. All dressed in black, it’s like having the grim fucking reaper staring down at me, holding my life in his hands. I fight with everything in me to run, but it’s no use. The feeling of falling washes over my body before my mind gives up. The noises from the street drowning out my internal screams, and the cold night air consuming me.