Chapter Four
1275 Words
Amelia's POV
My heart slammed against my ribs as the window creaked open from my stupid push.
I ducked low as fast as I could, pressing myself flat against the cabin wall.
Oh God, what had I done? The sound echoed in my head, louder than it probably was.
Or maybe it was. As quiet as the night could be, it felt like a gunshot.
Inside, Chloe's moans had seized abruptly.
"Blaze, what was that?" I heard her voice ask heavily as she gasped.
"Stay here," I heard him yell and it sent chills running down my spine even through the wall.
Then footsteps approached the window and I held my breath, freezing every muscle in me.
If he looked out... if he saw me... I'd be done.
I could only imagine what he'd do to some creepy stalker girl spying on him.
My face burned from the shame of just thinking about it. The scar on my neck throbbed and I nearly slapped it out of annoyance.
The window slid open wider, and I heard him leaning out.
"Who's there?" He asked in a sharp, edged voice that leaned towards being deadly.
I squeezed my eyes shut, praying the tiny bush hid me enough.
Please don't come out, please don't. I begged as I held my breath.
It felt like hours hiding there, my legs screamed to run, but I couldn't move, I couldn't risk making any sound.
Till finally, after what felt like forever, he muttered something under his breath and I heard him pulling back.
The window then shut with a click, and their voices picked up again, softer now as I heard Chloe laughing it off as probably a raccoon.
I let out a shaky breath as my body trembled. That was too close. Way too close.
What the hell was I thinking? Spying on them like some weirdo?
But as the images flashed in my mind again. Blaze's muscles flexing, Chloe's moans, that raw intensity, my hands felt sweaty all over again.
It stirred that craving in me, that unwanted and confusing feeling that made my stomach twist.
I need to get out of here before I lose my mind.
I crept away from the cabin, staying low until I reached the tree line. Then I bolted, whipping at branches with my arms as I ran.
The woods swallowed me up fast and the path I'd followed earlier looked to have doubled or tripled.
Which way now? I wondered as everywhere grew dark fast.
But I kept running anyway, till my sneakers slipped on something and I stumbled, catching myself on a trunk.
"Come on, Amelia," I whispered, panting hard. "Just get back to campus,” I muttered.
The lights from the main paths had to be somewhere. I turned left, thinking that was the way I'd come, but after a few minutes, everything looked the same.
Just tall trees everywhere, no signs or trails.
I spun around a spot, wondering where to go till an idea hit me.
My phone, duh, you are smarter than this Amelia.
I pulled it out, fumbling over the screen but froze as nothing happened.
I checked and cursed aloud. The signal was crap, just one bar flickering. Great. No map, no help.
I turned on the flashlight and kept going with my heart still racing from the close call earlier.
Why did I have to follow them in the first place? Sophie was right, he was trouble.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours. I tried different directions, right, then back left, following what I thought was the sound of distant cars.
But the woods got thicker, and the trails got messier. My legs ached, and panic started creeping in for real.
"This is stupid," I muttered, stopping to lean against a tree and stare at my screen.
Still no signal still, and s**t, the battery had gone flat. Everywhere went silent, just the rustle of leaves and my own heavy breathing.
I slid down to the ground against a tree, hugging my knees to my chest.
I should just give up, just sit here till morning. Sophie would be worried as hell, she'd probably call campus security.
And Uncle Ben? He'd lecture me for days about my safety if he found out.
Tears pricked my eyes. I was lost, alone, and it was all my fault for chasing some dumb crush or whatever this was.
And that's when the burn hit hard again. My scar flared more than ever, actually hurting me now.
“Ouch!” I gasped, clutching at it as the pain was sharp and spreading fast.
"Ow—what the...?" I exclaimed as it wasn't the usual itch. This one was insane, like fire burning through my veins.
I stood up fast, wincing and scanning the darkness. Something felt wrong, the woods had gone too quiet, no crickets, no wind rustling. Just silence, thick and heavy silence
Then I heard a low growl coming from my left. My blood ran cold as I snapped my head in that direction.
An animal? Out here? I froze, searching around but finding nothing.
But the growl came again, closer this time around and from behind.
I spun around sharply, backing up against the tree.
"Hello?" I called out and couldn't tell why I did, but it was barely a whisper.
That was stupid, like whatever it was would answer, I cursed myself.
The growl came again, louder this time and pretty familiar.
Wait, a wolf? No, that was crazy. Those things only exist in movies.
But the sound circled me, like it was teasing me, or hunting me down.
It flashed by my right in an unimaginable speed. I shrieked and turned but there was nothing.
“This isn't funny!" I yelled as beads of sweat had covered my face despite the freezing cold.
The scar burned hotter, like it was screaming along with me.
I tucked my phone into my pocket and started running again, faster now, pushing through bushes and branches, hurting myself in the process, but I didn't care.
The growling followed, now with heavy quick steps from all directions, like it was toying with me.
A snap of twigs here and there followed by a huff of breath to my left.
"Leave me alone!" I turned and yelled while still running, but that was a bad idea as I tripped over a root, hitting the ground hard and scraping my knees.
“No, no, no. Get up, get up,” I muttered to myself as I scrambled to my feet, limping on blindly.
It was gaining on me and I could feel that presence closing in. My scar was on fire now and tears soon streamed down my cheeks, but I couldn't tell which pain caused it.
The fear? Or the burn?
Up ahead, I spotted a big tree between the darkness. I rushed as I could towards it, slamming my hands against the tree.
I thought of climbing but before I could try, I heard it right behind me and turned as it lunged at me.
I closed my eyes in fear and screamed as it pinned me to the tree. Its massive paws pushed against my shoulders and its hot breath fanned my face.
Whatever it was sniffed my neck, right where the scar was and the burn exploded.
I kept my eyes shut but felt its jaws pushing against my skin before what felt like saliva dropped on me.
I opened my eyes as it stepped back, only to catch sight of it howling once, before lunging its head with its mouth wide at me.
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