Page 6 of Damon

I thought about ditching the heels but decided my best chance of losing this guy was to flee into the trees. Running barefoot through the forest may be faster, but it would also be a lot more painful.

The sick bastard counted out loud, shouting each number. That only induced more panic. When my heel caught on a fallen tree branch and I hit the ground hard, I decided it was worth the risk to get rid of the heels. Taking them off, I tossed one aside and clutched the other, prepared to use it as a weapon. Then I shoved to my feet and kept moving.

Running through the forest in the dark with only a sliver of light beaming between the trees to guide my way was not how I’d expected this night to end. Goddammit, I should have stayed at the restaurant with Kevin/Devon. I may have had to listen to him drone on about himself for another hour, but at least I wouldn’t be here with a maniac chasing me.

As I drew further away, the sound of his counting faded. I wasn’t sure how much time I had before he came after me. It couldn’t be more than a few seconds. My bare feet pounded into the ground as I ran, finding tree branches and rocks. Things that slashed at my feet and dug into my sensitive soles. Only the adrenaline kept me going, helping to numb the pain as I zigzagged through the trees.

Tripping over a tree root I couldn’t see in the dark, I fell down on my knees with a cry. Immediately I slapped a hand over my mouth. Feeling like my high heel shoe wasn’t enough, I groped about the forest floor for something else. My hand closed around a stick with enough weight to make a decent weapon. Doing my best to stay quiet, I stood up and listened hard.

Nothing but silence in every direction. I wasn’t sure how deep into the forest I’d gone. I could no longer see the graveyard through the trees. There was no way of knowing which way my captor would come from. No way of knowing which direction I should head. Maybe it would be safer to stay put.

Making my way to the closest tree with a thick trunk, I pressed myself against it and waited. With a stick held in one hand and my shoe in the other, I was as prepared as I possibly could be for a fight. This psychopath had no idea who he was dealing with.

I’d never been more terrified in my life, yet I didn’t plan to make any of this easy for him. Thinking ahead, I tugged a few strands of hair free, draping them over a nearby plant. Just in case I went missing and the authorities looked for me. They would know I’d been here. For good measure, I also pulled off the bracelet I wore and tossed it between the trees.

For the longest time all I heard was the sound of my own heartbeat and shaky breaths. I tried so hard to breathe as quietly as possible.

My legs began to ache. It felt like I’d been standing there pressed against the tree for hours now. Maybe I’d lost him or he’d given up. Of course he’d taken my phone and I had no other way to check the time. A glance up at the moon overhead told me nothing. Shit.

Deciding to take a chance, I took a tentative step away from the tree. Then another. I wasn’t even sure how to find my way back to the graveyard. I may have to wait until sunrise.

Turning in the direction I thought the graveyard was, I walked straight into the silent figure standing in my path. A scream erupted from me as I instinctively swung the stick I still held clenched in my sore fingers. We were both surprised when my stick slammed against the side of his head.

Unfortunately, he was ready for the second swing. Catching the stick before it could hit him again, he twisted it in my grasp, sending a shot of pain blazing through my wrist as he forced me to release my weapon. That didn’t stop me from swinging the high heel.

Too bad now he was ready for a fight. He backhanded the shoe aside, sending it crashing through the trees.

“Look at you all puffed up and ready for violence.” Again the horrifying chuckle that made my skin crawl. He rubbed the side of his head where the stick had connected. “Damn that one is going to bruise. Nice job.”

Reaching into his hoodie pocket, he withdrew something I struggled to make out in the dim lighting. Moments later, the sound of tape being unrolled told me everything I needed to know. I turned to run, but he had already grabbed me, jerking me back against him.

“The time for running is over, sweetheart. You did good though. It took me a while to find you.” While I struggled and flailed about, he all too easily strong-armed me into submission. Trapping my wrists tight in one hand while using the other to secure them with heavy duct tape.

“Why are you doing this?” My voice was high and shrill. My desperation showing. “What did I do?”

The next thing I knew he’d slapped a strip of tape over my mouth, effectively silencing me. I stared at him with wide eyes, straining to see beyond the outline of his psycho bunny mask. Being unable to see his face or look into his eyes made this whole ordeal even more unnerving.

He stroked a hand over my disheveled hair, pausing to drag several strands between his fingers. “So soft.”

I trembled beneath his touch, unable to shrink away. He pressed too close, fogging me with his woodsy scent. I squeezed my eyes shut tight. I couldn’t bear to look at him anymore in that fucked up mask. Even in the dark forest light.

“I wonder,” he continued in a voice husky with menace. “How someone so beautiful can be such a bitch. You’ve made yourself some enemies, Athena. It’s time for you to learn what happens when you mess with the wrong man.”

My eyes popped open as I completely came undone. Begging and whimpering despite the tape over my mouth that muffled everything I tried to say. I didn’t deserve this. Nobody did.

Continuing to stroke my hair like an absolute maniac, he slowly guided me down to my knees on the forest floor. I braced myself for the worst. Something horrible was coming.

He crouched down in front of me, still touching me. Trailing a finger over my cheek and onto the tape covering my mouth. My entire body quivered. His soft laughter told me that he liked it.

“All right, Athena. Now we get to the part where you have a decision to make. But first, I’m going to answer the question I know you’re dying to ask.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone, turning on the flashlight. I squinted against the sudden harsh light as it lit up the night surrounding us. With one hand, he slowly reached for the mask, training the light on himself so I could see clearly.

My lungs froze. My breath held. I watched with trepidation as he slowly pulled the mask up to reveal his face. Almost passing out when I saw him clearly.

My abductor was Damon fucking Price.

CHAPTER FOUR