Dark Intentions

15: Hide and Go Seek

Chapter 15

I run. I run and run and run until my lungs burn and my muscles ache. I don't look back, I just keep running forward. The trees rush past me, pushing my hair back and the wind howling past my ears. My dream went exactly like this, except that it was real, and that it was currently happening right now.

I was scared, and the adrenaline pumping through my veins were fueling me. I was a burning fire, about to be put out really soon. I was going to be a smoking memory that will hover over everyone that I once knew, soon to fade away afterwards. And I didn't want to be put out, and I needed a way to prevent that from happening.

What did Devon mean by my consequences would get worse if he had to look for me? Does that mean that I have to make this easy for him? Does that mean that I have to actually find him? This is such a twisted way of changing my childhood game Hide and Go Seek. Why would I want to go after a guy that's kept me in his house for two weeks, tortured me, and is currently in possession of weapons that could kill? There is no reason why I would want to.

I slow down and take a break, gasping for air. I lean against a tree for support, taking a break. However, my senses are perked, my eyes searching for any movement, my ears tuned for any type of nearby sound.

I sit down against the tree, closing my eyes.

I don't know how long I can bare this.

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My eyes shoot open, reacting quickly to the disturbance in the silence. I sit up straight immediately, my eyes frantically scanning the space around me. But there is nothing there that could ease my senses. So I slowly get up and spin in a circle, trying to spot the thing that disturbed my nap.

But then I could see him. He's slowly picking through the twigs and leaves looking for traces of my steps. When he's done he swings his shot gun over his shoulder. He starts to make his way in my direction, being as silent as he can.

My heart beat picks up and so does my breathing. I'm frozen, my eyes locked onto Devon. I watch as he takes his precise and careful steps, his eyes searching for me. I suddenly have no idea how to react, how to get myself to safety. I don't know why, but everything just happens slowly at this point.

I start to run, pumping my arms and legs as fast as they can. My breathing becomes more labored, sweat starting to build up on my face. I can hear the loud gunshot right after I start to run away, encouraging me to take me farther away from Devon. I can hear him running after me, his pounding steps coming right after me. I will my muscles to move me farther away from him, trying my best to keep myself alive. The wind howls loudly in my ears, reminding me that this might be my last moment on this earth. After awhile I can hear Devon fall back, probably getting tired for chasing me.

"You won't get far Steph! I'll always find you!" Devon yells behind me.

I don't stop to look back, but I just keep running. Maybe if I run far enough, I can finally get myself away from Devon and his games, going back to my old life. However, some small part of my brain tells me that I won't be able to, that what Devon said was true. I can never get too far without Devon breathing down my neck.

When I'm too tired and I can't run anymore, I just trek through the dead leaves, pushing the piles of them to the side with my feet. The setting sun rays shine through the bare branches of the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. I don't look back, I just keep my face pointed forward, taking in the bright rays of sunshine.

After awhile of walking I slowly start to sag, the routine of shuffling through the dead grass and leaves becoming distant. I wanted to end this already, and go back but I had had to no idea how. I knew I just had to play this game, and keep Devon amused as much as possible if I wanted to keep myself alive. But I didn't want to face the beautiful and crazy man that was chasing me. He was molding me into a weak and languid willed person, disciplining me into something that I don't want to be. It hurt and angered me to know that I was giving up and giving into Devon's demands, but I also had no choice.