HUNTED - A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance

CHAPTER TWO - EVELYN

My chest burned as I tried to intake deeper breaths. It didn’t work. Instead, I took rapid gulps of breaths as my mouth hung open in a silent scream. My legs throbbed as I doubled my pace. My sides prickled painfully, urging me to slow down, but I couldn’t.

They were near.

I couldn’t see them, but I could sense them.

FUCK. f**k. f**k.

They were toying with me. The monsters. Those hideous disfigured creatures that I released. They blended well in the shadows of the already dimly lit forest. It was more frightening this way. More so than if I could see them. I would regularly turn my head to search for them, but I couldn't see anything. Instead, I had to listen to my surroundings. I had to listen for the scuffling of heavy feet - hooves - trunks? Many sets. All around me.

I had to pay attention to the crunching and breaking of the endless looping of branches and vines. But what was worse, what was hair-raisingly, spine-tinglingly, bone-chillingly worse, was hearing the occasional grunting and groans as they neared me, circled me. Though I had no reason to think so, I knew in my heart it was them communicating a way to bring me down. I bit down a scream at the thought of being caught by them and pumped my poor legs harder.

FUCK. Don’t stop! Damn it!

I willed myself to keep going. Lied to myself that the clearing was near and that I would be saved, or at least I hoped. But I was already slowing down. And they knew it. One monster darted - NO - zoomed in front of me, still running. They were circling me. I couldn’t shake these bastards off.

I felt like the animals I had watched in nature documentaries, like a gazelle who tried her might to avert the lioness, but we all knew that it was a matter of time before they caught it. I was so f****d.

The grunting grew louder, the sound whizzing by my right ear. It was so unnatural, unlike anything I had ever heard, and it wavered as if to mimic the sound of laughter.

“Oh God! Help me!” I heard a distant cry. No… Poppy... I pushed my legs faster, praying that the clearing was near with my eyes stinging with tears. I couldn’t reach her and, even if I could, I had no weapons to defend us. No, the best course of action to take is to call the police, the army or something! Just hold on a little longer, Poppy!

“Yes!” I screamed, my throat hoarse. I could just make out the edges of the clearing now that I was free from the thick fog. That was all the motivation I needed to triple my pace. I’m going to come back! I swear I am going to come back for Poppy and Alice.

The thundering footsteps behind me restart my worries. I couldn’t let these things escape into the town. But I had nothing else. I had to risk this.

“Help!” I bellowed, my voice cracking. I continued running even after leaving the clearing but stumbled on a rock. Limping and holding my aching sides to the odd posts placed around the clearing, I waited fearfully for the monsters to strike. But all was quiet.

Frantic and losing patience, I spun around, my damp hair whipping around my face, the sting felt like nothing. I saw them gather at the edge of the forest. Bright lemon eyes watched me. I could just about make out their form, something like a wolf but larger. Their fur was dark, too dark to tell under these conditions, but I realized there were many of them.

What the f**k?

I struggled to walk backwards as I kept my gaze on them. Why weren’t they attacking? I was practically easy prey with no fight left in me.

One creature clawed at the ground before it, as if there was an invisible door keeping them from leaving. Several of my heavy pounding heartbeats later, they whined - twice - and disappeared into the cloak of branches. I looked down at my arms and saw that the bracelet was still on and was now brighter. It was warm to the touch and try as I might, it wouldn’t come off. I left it alone, I have more important worries.

My heart dropped to the soles of my feet as I thought of Alice and Poppy. Neither had left the forest yet. And the tortured scream I had heard earlier only heightened my fears. Now that the monsters have left me alone, who knows what atrocities they could do to my friends? Losing my footing again, I dropped to my knees.

Fuck. Why did I not stop this?

I couldn’t weep. Not now. I had to be strong for them. Have hope they are safe somewhere. I needed to - to get help. Yes! Help! A search party!

With newfound motivation, I forced myself to stand. I had to help them, anyhow I could do so. I started a light sprint. The ‘Keep Out’ signs were fewer now, which was good.

I went into a full run as I reached the main road. I was back to the normal world. I observe my surroundings. It was around the time children would be done with school. f**k. I let those monsters free in this town, and none were the wiser of what evil lurked so close by.

But who put up those signs?

Somebody or some person knew and tried to prevent this from happening. What the hell else lived among us? Fairies? Vampires? Time-lords?

I couldn't deal with this.

“Help!” I attempted to shout. My throat was so dry from the chase and my emotions were taking hold of me.

“Please, someone help. My friends- “I tried again but stopped as I buckled over, my body now registering the amount of pain it was in.

I almost cried tears of joy at the sight of a police car parked a street away. And though my vision wasn’t at its best, I could make out two individuals sitting in the front.

With no patience left and the urgency over my best friend’s lives, I sprinted again. Though I did not suffer in silence. With each step, I yelled aloud. I shout anything from profanity to pleas. I knew I looked like a mad woman, but I was desperate. As I drew closer to the car, I waved my arms to attract their attention and sent out a silent prayer to my friends.

Please let them be safe.