Longing

Chapter 4 - Hunted

-Sir- 

At first she seemed hesitant, so grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

"Run, little one, run", I whisperedin her ear, as I let go of her arm. She instantly took of into thelush summer night, headed for a line of brush, leaving me smiling andin anticipation of the hunt that would now ensue.

I took my time, leaving her lingeringin fear and uncertainty, knowing that all her attempts at escape where futile.

I advanced the line of low brush she disappeared into, looking for tracks she undoubtedly must have left here. The dry shrubs cracked under my boots, as they did before under Helena's naked feet. Once I identified my preys trail, I followed it,slowly, careful, as not to disturb any of the wildlife sleeping in the trees above my head. I didn't want her to be warned when Iassaulted her. While I left the low bushes and her tracks faded, the walls of the left small village towered in the bright moonlight. I could see a few of the graffito some punks left here, probably not to long ago, but I made sure no one would disturb me tonight.

-Prey-

My lungs burned when I finally reached the empty buildings. If I wanted to have a chance, I needed to hide, somewhere he couldn't find me.

His voice alone send shivers down my spine and his mere touch made me quiver. I had absolutely no idea why he had that kind of effect on me. In his presence I felt small. I felt helpless when his gaze would strike me and yet, I adored him like a god.

But I could not let him win, I didn't even know what he was going to do me, or why he let me go in the first place. Even though I was afraid that in reality I had no chance to escape and he would certainly catch me, I shoved that thought to the back of my head, telling myself that I had to try, that I could not stay with him, that I could get away. This small sliver of hope had been keeping me up since he took me away from everything I knew. I slowed down once I entered, looking for a place to lie low to catch my breath. I finally found a corner of what seemed to have been a church, at least before it became an empty ruin for addicts and homeless to sleep. The moon cast shadows through the beams that once held the roof. They made me feel comfortable. As if no one could see me here. Looking down myself, I realized that the branches ripped my shirt and left marks on my jeans. I cowered down and forced myself to breath slower, more controlled. This could be the only chance I had at fleeing, I would not let it be ruined by my poor condition.

- Sir -

As I entered the premises, I looked around and decided to check house by house. The first few empty, not even a trace left there. As I expected, she went right past the outerline of ruins, heading straight towards the middle of the towns square. The buildings that lined it where big, and she must have felt that they where the safest option. How naive, I thought to myself and I grinned sheepishly into the night. I looked at the cityhall, than at the church and decided that she probably hid somewhere in there. The other houses where spacious too, but so rotten and decrepit, that noteven druggies used them for shelter. Getting closer I saw a strip of white cloth hanging from the churches door handle. I laughed.

- Prey -

Suddenly I heard steps. And then laughter. His laugh. Even though there seemed to be some distance between the two of us, it made me tremble. I bit my lip. Not now, please, not now. But my body seemed to have a mind of its own, and its own plans. I felt myself getting warm and wet. And I couldn't help it but imagine what he would do to me. No, I told myself, you have to stay focussed, now matter how he makes you feel. He is not even taller than you, you can resist his attempts of overpowering you. From my hiding place, I heard steps getting closer. Fear overcame me. Could he see me? Could he hear my heavy breathing or even smell the sweat running down my back?