Chapter 6
Atlas
I heard my newly gained property noisily escaping from the den as I went to the kitchen. Smiling, I figured she would try to run. I certainly would have tried to get away if I were her.
I know she won’t get too far without sneakers on her feet, clad only in a tee shirt and panties.
She isn’t aware that I have already mapped out the woods behind her house, and I can make my way through the thick brush with no issues.
I have been trained to apprehend and destroy the enemy on much worse terrain than in her backyard.
She isn’t my enemy and never was, but now I consider her my prey. I smiled; a shit-eating grin spread across my face. I was enjoying every minute of my depravity. It’s time for the hunt. I love a good chase. It excites me.
I slowly walked out the door, closing it behind me. Before taking off, I warmed up by stretching my arms, neck, and legs. I cracked my knuckles, inhaled deeply, and was off.
I sprint towards the woods like a hungry lion looking for its next meal. I’m unconcerned about how far she has gotten. I am much quicker than she is, plus I’m also wearing boots, which gives me more leverage against the elements.
I have had expert training in invading enemy territory, and in my mind, I am out for the kill. I pick up speed, my Timberlands pounding swiftly on the solid surface.
The rush of adrenaline courses through my veins, boosting the energy needed for the task ahead. My legs carry me deeper into the dense brush, my eyes keen and hyper-alert to my surroundings.
Although it is warm tonight, I’m not even breaking a sweat. The moon threw off a slight glow, illuminating the trees, but other than that, there wasn't a speck of light back here. I know the darkness will also slow her down.
My legs are strong and in great shape, allowing me to keep up the pace easily. My heartbeat remains low and steady as my feet hit the messy terrain faster. Most of the ground is dry, but other parts are coated in mud. It doesn’t deter my speed as my boots glide through the thick, slippery surface.
I dodge between the trees, keeping my eyes and ears trained on the sights and sounds around me. She can’t be too far ahead unless she’s a track runner, which I know she isn't. Maybe if she had on sneakers, she might evade me, but there was not even a slim chance of that.
When I hunt, all my senses are on high alert, turning me into an animal.
I am surrounded by nothing but vast blackness.
Grabbing my cell phone, I switch on the flashlight.
I move it from side to side but see nothing in the immediate vicinity.
I slow down to keep a steady momentum to avoid becoming winded and sweaty.
I know she can’t be very far. I am in the thickest part of the woods now. I keep the light trained around the parameters, searching for any movement from my prey. All I can see are rows of trees, and I hear the faint sound of an owl in the distance. I hope there aren’t aggressive animals out here.
The thought of one chasing my girl worries me. I’d hate to shoot the creature, but I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. As ruthless as I am, I love animals and didn’t relish the thought of hurting one.
I dismissed the intrusive thought, focusing on the mission ahead. These woods lie isolated from the road. As far as I can see, there is only one way in and one way out. If I were a serial killer, this would be the place to take a victim.
There isn’t a soul around, and it’s eerily quiet out here.
This is another reason that I want her with me.
She lives out here all alone, and that makes her very vulnerable to the creeps concealed in the dark.
It would be so easy for some dick to take advantage of her and even kill her with no one knowing about it immediately.
The thought makes my head pound. That can’t happen on my watch. Look what unfolded tonight with the scum bag she invited over. I constantly worry about her. She is always in my head.
At least I know I won't kill or seriously hurt her.
I admit my intentions are for my own filthy needs, but I will treat her well.
I always take excellent care of my property.
I am jolted back to the present when I hear something.
My ears perk up as the sound becomes more pronounced, like a low, timid squeak.
I slow down as I breathe in deeply. Her scent assaults my nostrils. I look to the left of me, then to the right, but still see nothing. I chant in a low whisper.
"Here, kitty, kitty. Come on out. I want to play with you."
The ping of shallow breathing assaults my ears again.
It sounds like she is covering her mouth, trying to muffle a scream.
I can feel her fear engulfing my body like a fiery flame.
Her scent becomes much stronger, exciting me.
She isn't far. I am surprised at how animalistic I sound, but this is what she does to me.
My dark, cruel side rears its ugly head whenever I think about her total servitude. Her voice, her scent. All of it drives me out of my mind with depraved lust. As I inch closer to the noise, I realize it is coming from above. I can smell her sweet, musky scent. I know she is near.
I inhale deeply, sniffing like a wild animal.
"I know you're close, Kitten. Come out, come out, wherever you are. I can smell your cunt."
I aimed my phone toward the top of the tree. There she is, sitting on a low-hanging branch with her hand covering her mouth, stifling back a scream. She didn’t get far at all. I can see why as I assess the torn-up slippers on her feet. They are barely hanging on by a thread.
I smiled at her. "Nice try, pet. I warned you earlier that there was no escape. The sooner you accept it, the better shape your pale ass will be when I take you over my knee. Now get down from there.”
I can hear the anger in her voice.
“I am not moving. Do you think I am crazy? You will probably murder me for trying to get away, and I find the way you talk disgusting.”
A small sob escapes her lips.
I grinned at her. I'm not that angry because I knew she was going to pull this shit, and I can’t say I blame her, but there are still consequences for her actions. I can’t coddle her. She will learn to do as I say.
“You don't find my verbiage acceptable? I have an exceptional sense of smell, so what about it?"
I folded my arms across my chest. My tone was stern.
"If I have to come up there, Kitten, your punishment will be much more severe. I will not kill you. Unlike you, I don’t lie. Last warning. Get your ass down here now!”
I kept the light pointed at her face.
She has tears in her eyes.
“I can’t get down. My feet hurt, and they are bleeding."
The damage is visible from where I’m standing, and it pisses me off. I don't like any scars on my property, especially if I didn't put them there.
I put my arms out in front of me.
"Jump; I'll catch you.”
Her voice was shaky. “A... A... Are you kidding me? You want me to jump into your arms? I don’t care if flames were licking at my feet; I would never go to you willingly. I am not an idiot. You’re completely out of your mind, and I don’t trust you won’t hurt me."
I lay my hand over my heart, feigning sadness.
"Your words wound me, Kitty. You have not seen the mean, rotten side of me yet.
If you keep busting my balls, you will witness a part of me you won't like, and yes, I am going to hurt you for disobeying me; you can count on that. Now, jump! I promise I will not murder you, and I won’t drop you. "
She started screeching at the top of her lungs. “I hate you!!! Leave me alone. This is WRONG, you goddamn nutcase!”
I shrugged my shoulders, then made my way up the tree.
“Okay, pet. Have it your way. You should have done what I asked. That is two strikes against you.”
I can see the color draining from her face as she tries to move further away while I climb up to fetch her disobedient little ass. She kicks her legs towards me, losing both shredded slippers as I inch closer to where she is perched.
I grabbed both legs in one hand, stilling her. She continued lashing out and yelling. I can feel my anger rising as she keeps struggling. “Be still, Kit! Knock it off before you fall and break your goddamn neck.”
She is crying hysterically. “I don’t want to be with you!! Leave me alone! You’re a freak!!”
Her body is shaking violently as she continues to sob. My black heart feels nothing as I watch the girl frantically weep. The only thing that worries me is her getting hurt and ruining my fucking plans.
As far as her crying and whimpering, I could not give two shits about her feelings. They mean nothing to me. She is still going to be punished for her actions.
I am going to have to take her out to the island. I doubt she will behave here, and my gut tells me she will try to run again if given the chance.
Her fate is sealed. She is coming home with me tonight. I know she will adjust when given the proper training and attention. She is my property and will do what she is told. I’m finally at eye level with her.
She isn’t very far off the ground, but it is high enough that she will fuck herself up if she falls.
“You stop it, this instant!” I growled.
“Stay still so I can get you down from here. If you continue to act hysterical, I will slap the shit out of you until you snap out of it. Do you understand me?”
I would never strike her, not in the mouth, anyway.
She looked at me, a shocked expression spread across her face. She immediately stopped struggling. Maybe she realized if she kept up her crazy behavior, she might fall on her damn head, or I was going to indeed slap the hell out of that pretty face, which I would never do.
She is slight compared to me, plus I don’t bitch-slap women. That was my father's specialty, and it’s abusive.