THE HUNT BEGINS
808 Words
DIANA POV
I died the moment he pulled the trigger.
My eyes squeezed shut, waiting for the pain. A tear slipped down my cheek as the thought crossed my mind that I was going to die without fulfilling my dream or finding Maxine. My family was going to lose another child.
A second passed, and I felt nothing.
Instead of a gunshot, I heard only a sharp click.
My eyes flew open.
He pulled the trigger again. Nothing happened.I had seen enough movies to know what that meant.
He was out of bullets.
"Thank God," I breathed in relief, but I celebrated too soon.
Without a word, he tossed the gun aside. It clattered against the ground before he picked up the bloodstained hammer.
My heart nearly stopped.
I sprang to my feet and stumbled backward. It was a big mistake. My back slammed against the cold brick wall, before I could move again, he was already standing in front of me.
I swallowed hard, silently praying to God, Allah, and Buddha all at once, because right now, I needed saving.
My gaze dropped to the hammer in his hand.
Fresh blood dripped from its metal head.
My knees nearly gave out.
He slowly raised it.
"Please..." My voice broke. "Please don't kill me. I promise... I promise I won't tell anyone. I'll forget everything I saw. Just... please let me go."I rambled incoherently.
Lowering my head, I clasped my hands together, begging for my life.
"Please..."
As if hearing my plea, his hand slowly lowered. Seeing the hammer drop, I cautiously looked up.
"Let's play a game, señorita."
He stepped closer until there was barely any space between us—so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin.
My subconscious screamed at me to run, but my feet refused to move.
No.
I was trapped.
"I'll count to five. You hide..." His voice was calm yet commanding. "...and I'll hunt."
He paused before adding, "One more thing... don't let me find you."
The threat in his voice was impossible to miss.
My mouth went dry as I forced myself to meet his eyes. Fear tightened its grip around my chest, yet somehow I found myself asking,
"What happens if you catch me?"
He fell silent for a second.
I didn't fail to notice how his eyes lit up. Then, a slow, dangerous smirk curved his lips, sending a chill racing down my spine.
"Only a few live long enough to tell the story." He added, shooting a glance at the body behind him.
I understood exactly what he meant.
My palms turned sweaty as I tightened my grip on my phone. I was sweating despite the cold night air.
He took a step back.
His gaze studied me like a predator watching its prey.
"Run." The single word snapped me out of my fear.
I didn't hesitate.
I ran as fast as I could.
One of my heels slipped off somewhere behind me, but I didn't stop to pick it up.
Nothing mattered except getting away.
I sprinted out of the alley and into the empty streets.
I didn't know how long I ran—ten minutes or maybe an hour.
I only slowed a little when my apartment building came into view.
Even then, I didn't dare use the elevator.
What if he was behind me?
I rushed up the stairs two at a time, my lungs burning with every step.
By the time I reached the fourth floor, where my apartment was, I could barely breathe.
I fumbled with my keys, threw my apartment door open, and slammed it shut behind me.
Leaning against the door, I struggled to catch my breath.
"Diana?" I flinched and turned to see my mom.
She stood in the living room, staring at me with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Mom." I forced a smile that even I knew looked fake and walked toward her.
"Is everything alright?" she asked softly. "You're sweating."
"I was... exercising." The lie sounded ridiculous the moment it left my mouth.
"I mean... jogging."
"At this hour?"
"Yeah."I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.
"I... I should freshen up."
She continued looking at me as though she knew something was wrong. I avoided her eyes and hurried to my room.
The moment I closed the door behind me, I collapsed onto my bed.
My chest rose and fell violently.
I had never run that much in my entire life.
What if he followed me?
The thought sent me rushing to the window. Peeking through the curtains, I searched the street below.
I didn't see anyone.
I sighed as relief slowly washed over me.
There was no way he could have caught up with me.
Just as I was beginning to calm down, my phone started ringing.
- Writer
