Page 23 of Once Upon a Fable

Run!

I spun and sprinted down the corridor, racing for a bedroom.

“Stop, please!” I screamed as he leaped the final distance to the landing and gave chase. The strength of his strides shuddered the carpet beneath my boots. “I only wanted—”

He snarled again.

No words.

No warning.

Just a beast about to tear me to pieces for trespassing.

I’d die here in this mysterious mansion in the middle of nowhere.

“No!” I careened into a bedroom, swinging on the door handle as I struggled to shut it. I slammed the door as fast as I could.

I scrambled with the lock.

No lock!

The door exploded inward, bashing me off my feet and sending me sprawling to the floor. He stalked over the threshold. His dark eyes manic and long hair tumbling as if it was a shaggy pelt and he wasn’t human.

I crawled backward, my boots skidding on the carpet, my palms burning. “No, wait. Please. I—”

He stood over me, his nostrils flaring. He glowered at me with such loathing, his entire face bathed in evil. I scurried backward, but he dropped to his knees, imprisoning me between his spread legs.

His hands wrapped around my throat. A heady scent of rivers and woods filled my nose.

I instantly clawed at his wrists, digging my nails into his violent hold. “No, wait, I—”

“How dare you,” he hissed, his fingers looping tighter around my neck, his touch shaking with anger. “Howdareyou!”

“Stop!” I gulped and gasped, writhing beneath him, slashing at every part of him that I could reach. My fingernails scratched deeply but he didn’t seem to notice or care—impervious to whatever pain I granted.

“Please...” I struggled harder. “Let me—”

His fingers noosed tighter, his eyes flashing with hate.

His entire presence overwhelmed me, taking master of my senses, crushing me deeper into the carpet. His skin was scalding hot. His muscles rock hard. His cock pressed against my belly as he continued to squeeze. And squeeze.

I choked.

I couldn’t breathe.

My eyes felt as if they bulged with pressure, and my arms grew too heavy to fight. I kicked and kicked. My legs danced uselessly beneath him, unable to connect, unable to save me.

“Stop!” I fought until I was too feeble to try.

Get your knife!

I fumbled for my pocket.

I fought against the heaviness, the sluggishness.

My fingers didn’t work properly.

My kicking grew jerky as air retreated from my blood.