Page 25 of Ghostface Killer
“I love this part of the hike.” He peeks over my shoulder.
“It’s just another check on the ‘experience natures beauty’ list,” I muse.
“The main attraction is still to come. Ready?” Baz’s excitement is palpable. His presence like gravity. I’ve never enjoyed simply standing next to another human being the way I love standing next to him.
“So ready.”
“Then let’s go.” He stalks around me.
“Should we race?” I challenge him.
“Do you have any idea where you’re going?” He folds his arms haughtily.
Good point. I bat my eyelashes playfully. “No.”
“How ‘bout we just hold hands, then?” he offers an alternative. I look down at Baz’s extended palm, and a funny feeling tingles in my stomach. A ridiculous, giddy sensation.
God, I’m such a damn girl. When did that happen?
Just as I go to take his hand, the earth gives out from under his feet, and he stumbles back.
“Baz!” The alarm in my own voice startles me as I snatch his backpack straps and yank him back on solid ground.
With hammering hearts and short breaths, we both stand perfectly still, processing what almost happened.
“Holy shit, I almost just bit it.” Baz looks down with his arms locked around my chest. “You saved me, Stevie.” The stupid idiot actually has the audacity to laugh, while I’m rendered speechless.I did just fucking save you, didn’t I?
What. The. Fuck? Who am I right now? Who the hell is this person Benjamin Sabatino makes me?
“I think we should go.” I can hear the slight shakiness in my words.
“Good idea.” Baz hesitates an extra few beats before releasing me. Static snaps between us as we back away from the ledge and Baz entwines his fingers with mine. My pulse accelerates in a way I’m unfamiliar with. With a quiet excitement. An adolescent enthusiasm. I’m all over the fucking place.
We walk hand in hand through the woodsy terrain, stealing heated glances here and there until we come to the boulders Baz spoke about.
“The spring is right over the rocks,” he explains as he helps me maneuver through the cracks. He makes every effort to touch me as we climb the rocky hill, and my dumb ass loves every second of it.You’re supposed to kill him, not want to fuck him.
But the thought of hurting Baz just isn’t an option at the moment.
“Okay, wait, wait.” He forces me to stop just before we climb over the last rock.
“What?”
“Close your eyes.”
“What? Why?” Suspicion and resistance are present in both my questions.
“C’mon, just trust me.” Baz persuades me with his glittery green snake eyes.
I swear they’re fucking hypnotic.
Trust him?What an ironic twist.
I do as he asks, lowering my lids until the world disappears.
“Okay. Don’t freak.” Famous last words as he lifts me off the ground.
“Baz!” I clutch onto his neck as he moves effortlessly with me in his arms. I want to look. I want to open my eyes so bad. But I also want to trust him. In a flash, I’m perched on a rock with what sounds like a small babbling brook below my dangling feet.
