Page 63 of Freshmeet
As I left the glow of the bathroom, I turned my phone’s flashlight on.
They should put some lights out here.
I walked for about a minute before a rustling in the bushes caught my attention. I swung my phone toward it, catching the sway of branches, as if something had run through them.
“Hell no. I donotdo wild animals,“ I muttered, picking up the pace. I’d worn non-functional, cute sandals, not expecting to be speed walking through the woods, so I felt every tiny rock in my soles.
There was a heavy thud to my right, and I started to jog. My sandals squeaked with each step until the sparkly strap between my toes snapped. Before it registered, I fell face-first into the brush. My palms and knees scraped across exposed tree roots as I caught my fall. Pain shot up my arm on impact, and a loud snap rang in my ears.
I cried out, cradling my right wrist to my chest. There was no way it wasn’t broken. Tears welled in my eyes as I tested my ankles. Thankfully, they seemed fine, so I cautiously stood,peering into the darkness as if I would suddenly develop night vision.
Swallowing down the pain, I started toward the campfire at a much slower pace. The fall had jarred my joints, leaving me sore. The trees thinned, the path opening up to reveal the glow of the fire. Relieved, I took a deep breath and pressed on despite the growing pain in my knees.
The party came into view, and I parted my lips to shout for help, but was jerked back in between two large trees. A large, gloved hand covered my mouth, smothering my shrieks. Panicked, I clawed at the leather, kicking my sore legs, relying on the adrenaline to drown out the pain.
Their hand slid up, covering my nose. Deprived of oxygen, I flailed helplessly. Tears streamed down my cheeks, itchy and hot.
“Stop moving,” a deep voice gritted out.
I fought harder. If they got me into the woods, I was done for.
As they dragged me backward, and the glow of the campfire disappeared from view, I fought with everything I had. I kicked wildly and grabbed at branches, trying to make as much noise as possible.
“Enough,” they growled, and a sharp pain pierced my side.
I stilled, my eyes wide as I tried to see in the dark, but I couldn’t make out a fucking thing.
The pain plus the lack of oxygen acted as an off switch, and, try as I might, I lost consciousness.
Something rough rubbed against my neck, tightening until I could barely breathe. Gasping around a ball of fabric, I came to, my good hand going to the rope around my neck.
“Welcome back,” my attacker said, shrouded in darkness. They were tall and broad, and purposefully kept out of sight.
My bound wrist throbbed as I tried to loosen the rope around my neck. I tried to scream, but it was muffled by a crude gag.
The shadowy figure yanked me off the ground by the rope, and my whole body exploded in pain. The wound on my side pulsed with each heartbeat. It was just a matter of time before I bled out.
They led me towards the tree line, using the rope as a leash, stopping behind an enormous tree trunk.
I vibrated with pain as we stood, waiting for what, I didn’t know. Closing my eyes, I worked up the last bit of strength left in my battered body.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
I lunged away, immediately tripping and falling on my wounded side. My attacker barked out a laugh, and I went still.
I know that laugh.
Wide-eyed, I looked up at them, my mind filling in the gaps caused by the darkness. Blood thundered in my ears as I tried to make sense of everything.
“Showtime,” he said, hefting me over his shoulder. Every step he took pulled at my wound, making it feel like I was being torn apart. Moving quickly, we broke through the tree line, and he dropped me on the ground. A car door slammed, and I jerked towards it, begging for them to see me. The rope around my neck tightened, and I was yanked up like a rag doll. My toes barely scraped the grass, then there was another tug, and I was swinging in the air.
My lungs burned as I struggled. With every second, the pressure in my head grew. I fought to keep my eyes open, to stay present.
I can’t take much more.
My attacker stood in front of me, holding something at his side.
A car started, and the hum of music met my ears.
