Page 122 of Catch
I flinch at his threat, but I continue to back away slowly. Renner’s a snake and any sudden movement might cause him to strike.
“Why?”
The question rolls out of me before I can stop it.
“Because I felt like it. Because I was pissed. Because I needed your fucking attention and you never listen to me!” he screams.
There’s no reasoning with him, but I make one last attempt.
“This is only going to make things worse,” I insist. “Walk away from me right now or I’m calling the police.”
If that doesn’t work, I’ll scream my goddamn head off. Only, if we’re alone out here, who’s going to hear me?
“You don’t get it, do you? You don’t get to walk away from me like I’m nothing,” Renner snarls. “Not after whatyou’ve done, you goddamn cunt. You hurt me, and now I’m going to hurt you.”
Run.
If I cut through the trail, I’m five minutes away from a main road. I have a split second to decide.
Run.
Do it now.
I burst into action, running as fast as I can. Renner calls after me, but I don’t turn around. I don’t look, I don’t hesitate. I keep running and running and thank fuck I’m an athlete because I’ve never sprinted so fast in my entire life. I don’t even pause when I hear the noise of a car engine.
I’m close to Main Street. Keep going.
When I finally get off the trail and hit pavement, I bolt for the nearest shop in town.
It turns out to be Boots n’ Burgers.
Oh God, please let them be open at this hour.
I knock frantically on the door and look over my shoulder to see Renner emerging from the woods, looking around for me.
Shit, I don’t have any more time…
The door of the pub swings opens and Phoenix, the owner, stands there staring at me.
“Jett? Are you okay?”
“No,” I gasp. “I need to call the police.”
Phoenix quickly ushers me inside the restaurant and locks the door.
“What’s going on?”
“My ex is harassing me,” I pant. “I hadn’t seen him in weeks, and then today… he followed me from school… he… shit, he’s really angry.”
“Sit down. Do you need anything? Water?”
I shake my head. I can’t breathe. The room starts to spin. Shit, I’m hyperventilating.
“I can’t… breathe.”
Phoenix grabs a chair and motions for me to sit.
“Head between your legs. Slow, deep breaths. You’re safe, everything’s okay,” Phoenix urges. “You’re safe.”
