Page 30 of The Road Less Traveled By

“Bree, you’re going to be fine. It’s just someone trying to scare you.”It’s not. It’s him.

I hear my door creak open, footsteps slowly wading into my room as I try my best not to make a sound. “Wait, I hear footsteps.”

“Bree, call the police right now.”

I don’t have time to answer her before my closet doors are ripped open, and I feel two bare hands grab my ankles, dragging me out of my hiding place. “No! Please!” I somehow flip myself over as he drags me out, and despite trying to kick out of his grasp, it’s no use. I really hope the call hung up because the last thing I want Liv to hear is her sister being murdered over the phone.

I’m clawing at nothing. The carpet beneath my fingertips is useless. He’s too strong for me.

I’m not getting out of this alive.

I feel his hand grasp around my throat as he flips me over, my back landing against the frame of my bed.Fuck, that hurt.I feel my bed move from the sheer force of my body. He’s bigger than me, stronger, and has every advantage.

He’s in control, not me.

It’s now that I realize I can’t see his face. He’s wearing a ski mask over his entire face and neck, and the only thing not covered are his hands—the ones roaming all over my body.

No. No. No.

I see one of his arms shoot out against my bed, forcing it away so I can no longer lean against it. Tears fall from my face, from panic, terror, and I can’t do anything but sit here. I’m frozen.

I’ve always heard that when you’re in a dangerous situation, your body can react in two different ways—fight or flight. I guess I did fight a little at first, but now, I find myself frozen, laying against my carpet.

I don’t feel him on me anymore, but when I lift my head, I hear the lock of my door click before he turns around.

Even in the dark, his gaze disgusts me. I can feel it running all over my body, every hair on the back of my neck standing up.

I’m the prey. He’s the predator.

Shuffle away! Try to get out! Do something, Bree!The voice in my head is speaking, but I can’t find myself trying to do any of that.

I know what happens next. I know where this is going.

I’m going to die. He’s going to kill me.

I lift my head before I crawl back to where my bed sits. I need something to lean against, to tether me to this moment, so if I manage to get out of this alive, maybe I can help identify the guy.

But I doubt that’ll be the case.

“My sweet Bree. You’ve been a bad girl.” His words come out in a low voice, almost croaky, like a frog. I see his hand go into the pocket of his jacket, probably reaching for the knife.

“I-I don't even know you.” I manage to get the words out, but I immediately regret them when he lunges for me, landing a punch on my cheek that’s wet with tears.

“Don't crawl away from me. You know me, Bree! You love me!” This time, he kicks me on the side of my ribs, and I feel myself whimper at the pain. It feels like a firework exploded against my skin. My body hunches over, but his hand around my throat forces me back to sit.

Fuck, this hurts.

I can’t breathe, and before I know it, he throws my upper body to the ground, removing my tether, and I feel him crawl on top of me.

His fingers are calloused and rough as they wander over my body.Stop. Please stop. I don’t want this.

“Sit still, or this won't be that enjoyable. Haven't you dreamed of this day, Bree? Haven't you wished for me to do this to you? To sneak in late at night while you're alone and have my way with you?”

I can barely speak past the tears flowing down my face. “N-No. Get off!” I try to knee him, but his body is too much.

“I know you want this as much as I do, and you’re going to take it, Bree.”

“P-Please, get off me.” I can’t even tell if I’m making sense, but I need himoff. I need to wake up from whatever horrible dream I’m having. I want to wake up and call Liv. I want to call Teags and have a reading date like we did last week and tell her how much it meant to me because none of my other friends ever just wanted to hang out. They always had to post about it for the entire internet to see. I want to tell Tristan that I’m glad he loves my sister, that I’m thankful he’s offered so much support to us. He’s the big brother I never had.

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