Page 147 of Psycho

I had wanted to get out of the barn, but I didn’t want to get out of there in his arms. I didn’t want to know what plans they might have for me.

He pushed me down when we got to the edge of the cornfield.

I fell onto the ground, my knee and palm scraping against the dirt from the impact. I winced from the pain.

I looked left and right, fear making my heart slam harshly against my chest when I found two men watching me with amusement.

I had never seen these men before in my life.

The light outside the barn, plus two streetlights nearby, made it easy for me to see my surroundings.

I turned around and slowly stood up as I watched them.

“I wouldn’t run if I were you,” Tyler said, a cruel twist to his lips.

I didn’t say anything as I looked behind me.

“At least, not yet. See, we’re gonna play a little game.”

I turned back to Tyler and the boys, taking a small step back.

Tyler laughed. “You can run. And these boys, as a reward for doing such a good job for me, are gonna chase you. And boys? The first one to catch the bitch can do whatever the hell you want with her before I take her home with me.”

I froze, so sure he hadn’t just said that.

But no, he had said that.

He wanted me to run, just for Josh, Dylan, and Ricky to chase me as if it were some kind of game.

I looked at the boys, hoping they might show disgust at what Tyler had said.

It wasn’t disgust on their faces.

I took a step back, then another, because as much as I hated this fuckinggame, I knew I would be running.

It was my only chance to escape.

The boys watched my every move keenly.

I shook my head, and Josh’s smile widened.

He really did enjoy this.

My foot touched the edge of the cornfield.

I looked behind, then out to the vast corn stalks before me, and then back at the boys.

I was about to take off when a distant humming caught my attention.

Tyler stilled and frowned.

He heard it too, even if the boys were oblivious.

It almost sounded like…

My eyes widened.

No. It couldn’t be, could it?

---