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But, still, more and more often, I’ve had the feeling that someone is hiding.
But I have no choice. I either have to walk through the woods or camp out at school tonight. My dad will already be half-drunk by this time of the late afternoon and my mom will be at bingo, probably. Or a bar.
I’m an only child. An afterthought, or not even a thought at all. I don’t have one of those families that people would envy. I can’t wait until I finish high school so I can get the hell out of Dodge. I’m going to travel the world, and live by the beach, maybe, so I don’t ever have to walk through the woods again as long as I live.
I walk deeper into the dark forest. I’m used to how spooky it is. It never gets less spooky. I try to hurry, but it’s dark and I don’t want to trip.
I’m about halfway when I get that feeling again.
The prickling awareness that someone is following me.
I look behind me, but I can’t see anyone. The darkness is murky.
But then I hear the snap of a twig.
My instincts reel with panic.
Someone’s here.
Someone’s getting closer.
I try to run, but before I can get very far, I trip over a root and fall to the ground.
And then, someone is on me. I feel the vice-grip of inhumanly strong arms, like a hug. I try to struggle but he’s far too forceful. I can smell him. Woodsmoke and autumn leaves and a hint of whiskey.
I want to scream but a damp cloth clamps over my mouth and nose. It smells like alcohol, or something similar.
If only I could cry for help!
But it’s too late.
He’s taking me.
And the world, all of a sudden, goes dark.
