My legs start to tremble as I think about what he might do if he were really riled up. I know it’s only a matter of time until I find out exactly what horrors he has planned for me, and the looming dread saps the strength from my limbs.
“What are you doing, exactly?’ I ask, trying to get a few steps ahead of him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you,” he answers, easily keeping pace with me. “You won’t like it, after all, and I do so love surprises.”
“I bet you only like it when they’re surprises for other people,” I mutter.
He laughs, and it’s a surprisingly gentle sound. “You’re right, babe. I don’t particularly like them when it’s me who gets the surprise. Still, it does make life interesting.”
His casual tone and comforting voice make me feel completely off balance. He sounds as casual as if we’re out on a date, just enjoying each other’s company like we used to. Part of me even feels like I could trust him, as if the situation isn’t threatening at all, and maybe I’m being irrational.
Jesus…fucking…Christ. I’m dealing with a complete psychopath!
I keep my head down for a bit, just watching my feet and the rough ground. A little way ahead, I see a wall of low bushes, and decide to make a beak for it when I get close.
I could go underneath it easily, but he wouldn’t fit; he’d have to go around. If I turned back towards town, I might make it. I just need to put some distance between us…
I stumble a little, hoping to throw him off guard. He follows behind me, whistling a little tune as if we’re just out for a nice stroll in the woods.
The second I get close enough, I leap over the small embankment, bolting towards the thick scrub. I pump my arms, gratefully thanking Paul for not tying my hands—and wondering why he didn’t.
Something hits me in the back, and I smash into the ground, all the breath slamming out of my lungs. Paul grabs me by the shoulder, turning me over and throwing himself on top of me.
“Naughty girl,” he says, waving a finger. “I thought you were going to be good—but now I have to punish you.”
“No, Paul,” I gasp. “Please, don’t. I won’t run away—”
“I know you won’t,” he says coldly. “Because I’m going to give you something to remember in case you even think about trying it again.”
He grabs my shoulders, pinning me to the ground, then leans down and kisses me. His lips are soft, and the kiss is sweet and gentle. I lay frozen under him, trying to accept the kiss even if I can’t reciprocate.
Maybe I could distract him like this, and—
Pain suddenly blasts through me, and I scream louder than I ever have in my life. I buck and squirm under the weight of Paul’s body, watching him sit up above me and laugh as he looks down on my face.
My left shoulder radiates with pain, so intense that it numbs my arm and floods through my every cell. At first, I’m not even sure what he did, but then I see the small knife in his hand.
“That one was just for fun,” he says, twirling the bloody knife in his hand. “Next time, I’ll hurt you properly. Do we understand each other?”
I nod, biting my lip to stop from screaming again. My focus has flipped from getting out of this to protecting my baby at all costs.
I can’t give him another excuse to hurt me. I have to play nice and just hope I get an opportunity to get away.
Paul gets off me, and I stand up slowly, watching him. His easy smile is back, and he flicks the knife closed, putting it back in his pocket without cleaning it.
That’s why he didn’t tie my hands. He can catch me whenever he wants!
I put my palm over the small puncture in my shoulder, feeling the warm blood leaking into my hand. My breath trembles in my chest, and I start walking ahead of Paul, trying to keep it together.
Paul follows behind, his step slow and casual, whistling his tune again. The sound grates on my nerves, and nausea rises in my guts as the blood flows down my arm, making me feel shaky and cold.
Every now and then, a branch bobs down and gently touches me on the head. I know I’m not running into them, because I carefully judge the distance before I walk through any overhanging branches.
The only explanation is that they are bending down to touch me on purpose.
I remember how I always felt guided when I was on the run, and even when things looked completely bleak, I managed to find food, water, and shelter. I know that nature is reaching out to me, trying to help me, but I have no idea how to use my powers in this situation.
I try focusing on the plants around me, but I’m too tired and in too much pain to pick up the vibrations.
