Page 26 of Pretty Little Fears

Hislips curve into a huge grin, attempting to win over her and her friends.Hesays something that makesBlairlaugh and she throws her head back, her smile growing bigger by the second.Redstarts to seep into my vision as she playfully pushes her hand against his chest, givingBraxtonthe chance to catch her hand, and using the opportunity to lead her outside.

Lettingout a frustrated breath,Ifollow them to the back of the house.Theytake a seat next to the fire pit and continue talking.Themusic carries to the backyard, causing them to lean in closer to be able to continue their conversation.Seeinghim whisper in her ear and making her giggle, makes my blood boil.I’vehad enough and willnotallow this to go on a second longer.

Sheis mine.I’mtaking what is mine.

Peeringthrough the dark holes of my mask,Ipull out my phone to send her a text.

Me: Sweet, sweet girl. You may be a fallen angel tonight but your heart’s too pure to let anything happen to Braxton, isn’t it?

Me: Don't test me, Blair.

Ilook up and see him tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.Mygrip tightens on my phone andIsend her another text beforeIgo over there and snap his fucking neck.Ihit send, then pocket my phone and leave the backyard, walking towards the cemetery.

Me: I don’t make empty threats, little obsession. Meet me at the graveyard behind campus or he’ll be in pieces at your doorstep. Wrap it up. You have ten minutes.

Tuggingup my hood,Iwalk, thinking of all the waysIcan killBraxton.

Enteringthe graveyard,Imake my way to stand against a tree, allowing me to be hidden by its darkness.Myjaw clenches with annoyance asIwatch the minutes tick by.Almostfifteen minutes pass beforeIsee her walk through the smokey front of the cemetery.

Iput my hand in my pocket, feeling the sharp edge of the knife against my fingertips.Blairdecided to disobey me.

Braxtonwas a dead man walking, anyway.

BLAIR

Comingto a stop at the front of a large wrought iron gate,Ican see breath clouds form in front of me with every exhale of air.ThecoolOctoberweather chills my skin while the alcohol keeps my insides warm.

Ilook down at the textIgot fromEmmett.Lickingmy lips and looking back up,Iglance around the cemetery.Squinting,Isee a large figure in the center of the graveyard, which must beEmmett.

Rubbingmy arms asImake my way over to him,Iattempt to ignore the ominous atmosphere sending a shiver down my spine.

AsIget closer to the figure,Irealize it can't beEmmettbased on its massive size.Theleaves and dirt crunch under my boots with every step, asIinch up slowly to what looks like a weeping angel.I’mreaching up to feel the cracked paint of her tears under my fingertips when something cold and sharp presses against my neck.

Pureterror shoots down my spine andIfreeze.Myfingers start to shake against her face, causing some of the paint to chip further, making thicker patches of tears.Hotbreath caresses my neck, causing goosebumps to appear in its wake.Mypulse is pounding against the tip of the object.Theylean in andIfeel their lips against my ear.

“You’relate.”Hewhispers.Iknow that voice.It’sEmmett.

Hebrings his arm back to his side, the sharp object leaving my throat.Fora moment,I’mable to breathe again.Stilljust an inch away from me, he whispers again, this time, an instruction.

“Run.”

Idon’t hesitate for a second.Itake off through the graveyard and dart into the woods behind the cemetery.I’mnot able to put too much distance between us becauseI’min heeled boots and prayingIdon’t end up twisting an ankle.

Thefucking angel wings don’t improve my situation either as they hit against tree trunks and branches.Myshoes slow me down andIwill my legs, pumping faster.

ThefearIfeel right now is…different.Adrenalinepumps through my veins and my cheeks stain red at the realization that heat is forming in my core.Ilikethe fear he’s giving me right now.

Whatthe fuck.

Continuingto test my body,Iurge it to keep going despite the burningin my lungs.Mymorning runs have not prepared me for this moment.Iattempt to steady my breathing as best asIcan and fall into a steadier pace.

I’mdeep into the forest now and don’t hear anyone or anything around me.PositiveI’velostEmmett,Ihunch over, hands on my knees, and gulp down much-needed air.

“Fuck,”Iwheeze as every inhale burns through my lungs.WhenI'veregained my breathing,Istand back up and survey my surroundings, wondering where to go from here.Atree branch crunches andIwhip my head in the directionIthink it came from.Spinningin a circle as my hair whips around my face,Icheck my surroundings.Itry to listen to the sounds of the night but the thumping of my heart in my ears is allIcan hear.

Snap.

Myhead whirls around again, my hair whipping in front of my face, butI’monly met with darkness.

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