"RUN"
What would you do if you heard that word hurled into the woods, rumbling like thunder in the sweltering air?
It was a beautiful day; only a few fleecy clouds grace the sky, a cool breeze alleviating the bright heat. This was my favourite time to go for a walk—quiet, long, beautiful walks down the beaten path bordered by bushes and trees that quickly grew into a dense woods. The neighborhood was peaceful and lovely, with lush greenery all around.
The street was emptier than usual today—not a single person in the last half-hour that I'd been casually strolling, hopping up and down the path up a short dirt and sand incline. My mid length flare gown snagged on bushes as I ducked under a branch. Walking, humming and simply enjoying the day. I wasn't really thinking about anything. It was nice to let go of the world sometimes and I found it quite fulfilling since moving into the new neighborhood.
I wasn't sure when I realized that someone was behind me. Further back and walking slowly, this person was quiet.
After walking a few distances, I mostly forgot about him. But whenever I turned to look at something that caught my eyes, I caught him out of the corner of my eye. 'Just someone out on a nice day,' I told myself.
But a few minutes later, I sensed him a little closer and I turned to have a good look at him. He was taller than me—maybe six and a few inches. His strides were naturally longer and when I looked up, by God I almost stumbled. The man was staring straight at me with a scowl. I must probably be mistaken because when I blinked, he was staring at his left, into the woods.
I turned to see what might have taken the stranger's attention and for a moment I forgot about him again. A small colourful bird that I seem not to remember its name, flew away from one of the branches and another chased after it, chittering.
I laughed a little as the birds flew to another branch still chittering. I glanced sideways at the man and caught him watching but now without a scowl. Or was he staring at the path ahead? That I can't really say. Shrugging, I flashed him a nervous, friendly smile. Turned and kept walking. I was just being paranoid for no reason, I assured myself. He was just minding his business walking on the path with little me in front.
Smiling at my overactive brain and silly thoughts, I stopped, seeing a very small frog hopping. And I swear to the heaven above, I sensed the man stopped too. Or was it my imaginations playing tricks on me? I started walking and so did he. I sped up a little and so did the man.
I walked faster
His pace matched mine. Every time I hurried, he did as well. Now I was a bit nervous. I still haven't seen anyone else and my house was a half-hour walk in the other direction—his direction to be precise. The dried leaves crunched beneath my shoes. He was closer and I could feel his eyes on me, watching.
It must really have been my imagination that his steps were faster too. I glanced back. He was even closer than I imagined and still staring intently.
My palms began to sweat. He wasn't doing anything terribly odd. Maybe the staring. The scuff of my shoes sounded louder but his own was close to nonexistent. I don't know how he did it with all the dried grasses and leaves strewed on the path, his footfalls were quiet. Too quiet. I might not have heard it but I knew he was close. Too close. Like a predator stalking its prey, I could feel his eyes on my scruff.
He was following and staring. I was in danger, that much was obvious and my phone was at home on the TV stand, charging.
The hair on my arms and nape stood on end. The soft warm breeze felt cold on my sweaty skin.
And then I heard it. Heard the word as clear as day.
It wasn't shouted or particularly loud but it carried somehow, just like his laughter Carried, bouncing off the trees, coming from all directions.
I ran. Yes I did run, like my life depended on it.
Wild and stumbling. My feet crushed dried leaves and grasses while slow, evil, rolling laughter chased me.
I turned blindly into the trees, hoping to lose him. I didn't know where I was going. I just ran,Kicking my legs free of tangling vines, dodging trees and bushing aside hanging brushes. All sense of direction gone except AWAY. Away from the mocking laughter and the stingy eyes.
The branches tore at my gown but I kept on running.
He was fast.
I rounded a corner to find a thicker patch of trees in the distance that could give me better cover. If only I could reach it.
Oh yes! I reached and continued running for several minutes before sinking to my knees to rest.
Sweat dripped into my eyes, chest heaving. Every moment was a chance to be caught.
It was best to move on.
I quickly scrambled to my feet and took off again. The urge to look behind tingled at my spine. I couldn't help it, I looked over my shoulder.
Nothing. He was gone and so was the laughter.
My head swung in all directions and my heart skipped a beat as my eyes met those of my pursuer, he was crouched in the trees no more than thirty feet away from me. I panicked and ran, attempting to get a head start before he could get up. Too slow, too slow! My brain chanted as I stumbled on the uneven ground.
He seems to have stopped pursuing me. Or he was just enjoying the chase. Either way, I didn't stop to ask. His laughter echoed as I stumbled again, almost falling face down. He was now playing with me, enjoying the chase.
I reached the top of a small hill within the woods and cried out in shock as I realized the ground dropped out from underneath my feet and I didn't have any hope of stopping in time.
I fell through the air and landed with a thud on the uneven floor. The breath knocked out from my lungs. I tried to roll over like I do see those actors do in movies but a large hand dragged me backwards with my thighs exposed for my pursuer's scrutiny.
My yelp of shock became a scream of pain as he flipped me roughly on to my back
"Quiet" he snapped.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him. I was caught, caught! A soft whimper escaped my lips.
"Get up."
I couldn't, I was beyond terrified. I couldn't cover myself enough to stand on my feet.
A painful wail left my mouth as he yanked me to my feet and didn't let go. He wrenched my arm back, causing my voice to rise a note higher.
He was strong. His grip was steady like a vise. I was certain if he had exerted more pressure, my arm would have popped out. I couldn't break free even if I tried.
His other hand settled on my cheek wiping a stray tear from it. "Open your eyes," he demanded and I did as instructed. If only he could release me from his death grip. I prayed to the heavens to come to my aid.
"That's very good of you," his breath fanned my face and I flinched. My entire body trembled from the pain in my arm and the all consuming fear. No doubt he could feel my quivering muscles. A whimper escaped my lips again.
" Shh," he cooed. "You're alright. Everything is okay." He lifted my chin.
Tears pricked my eyes. I didn't know the man, I'd never seen such crazy eyes before. And here I was, trapped in his hold. Forced to look at his face.
"You walk this path every weekend. Hopping up and down like a child with no care in this world." He leaned his mouth close to my ears. "Humming and sometimes singing. Don't get me wrong. You've got a nice voice and a beautiful face to go along with it."
Cold sweat broke on my back. He had been watching.
His hand moved from my face to press into my lower back. "That's admirable, seeing someone with no worries. And I'd like us to be friends."
"Won't you like that?" a different wave of fear came crashing within me as I felt him squeeze my bum.
"I think a yes or a no is in order." He sounded a bit reproachful, releasing my bum to draw circles on my lower back.
My head bobbed up and down. I didn't trust my voice at that moment.
"Wonderful! Now I'm going to release you and we will get to know each other just like those birds." He sounded too sweet but the threat in his eyes was unmistakable.
You've to escape this monster. You've to get far away from this madman and fast. A voice chanted in my head.
"And for your own sake," he went on, "I hope you don't do anything stupid because…"
Was that the sound of a truck in the distance? My ears peaked up. Though my heart was pounding in it, muffling other sounds. I tried my best to focus on the sound of the truck.
Ah! The main road must be behind, somewhere in the distance and I must get to it. Yes I must.
"Do you understand?" He snapped, bringing back my attention to him.
My throat bobbed. "Y_Yes Sir," I whispered.
"Very good. You can call me Jacob." He said, giving me a toothy smile before releasing his hold on my numbed arm.
I breathed in deeply and pushed him with all the strength I could muster before turning on my heels.
And ran.
Screaming, launching myself forward, branches tiring at my gown and skin. A few steps. I could see the road.
A few more steps and I would be free from crazy Jacob.
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