When fantasy becomes reality

Chapter 21

My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing the fear coursing through my veins. Falcon's cold smile creeps me out, and I quickly realize the gravity of my mistake. Running into the woods alone was reckless, and now I'm trapped. A voice inside me screams, Get out, get out! And without a thought, I obey.

I turn on my heel and bolt towards the way I think I came from, the branches slapping against my skin as if punishing me for my foolishness. How could I be this stupid? The underbrush claws at my legs, and every step feels like an agonizing eternity. I can hear Falcon's footsteps behind me, heavy and relentless, a predator closing in on his prey.

And that's when it hits me. He is a werewolf. How am I supposed to outrun a werewolf? I push myself harder, my muscles screaming in protest. The forest around me blurs into a haze of green and brown. I stumble over roots and rocks, the terrain unstable and unforgiving. Falcon's voice cuts through the air, mocking and cruel.

"Running won't save you, Ellen!" he calls out, his tone dripping with malice, and I can practically feel the smile on his lips. "You can't hide from me."

Panic surges anew, and I force myself to run faster. But my strength is waning, my body protesting against the pace. The voice inside my head grows louder, more insistent: Get out, get out! But then, my foot catches on a hidden root, and I go sprawling to the ground. Pain shoots through my ankle, but I scramble to my feet, ignoring the throbbing ache. I can't let this be the end. I won't let him take me again.

But it's too late. Falcon is upon me, tackling me down to the ground. His hand gripping my arm with a vice-like hold as he turns me over on my back. I twist and turn, trying to break free, but he's too strong. His fingers dig into my flesh, and I cry out in pain.

"Let go of me!" I scream, my voice echoing through the forest.

But my pleas fall on deaf ears. Falcon's grip tightens, his expression is of a ruthless determination as a slow, cold smile spreads over his lips. He straddles me and glance down on me. My heart is pounding in my chest as I realize the danger I'm in. Falcon doesn't even look tired and I realize that this is just a fun, simple game of cat and mouse for him.

The realization freezes me and Falcon smiles in triumph. His grip on my arm loosens slightly and I take the opportunity to punch him. With all my strength, my knuckles slams into the side of his jaw. The blow forces his head to one side, and I feel him stiffen above me. Desperately I try to push him off of me, but he won't budge. His weight feels heavy over me. That's when I realize that this was probably my second big mistake today.

I watch as he crack his neck and lick his lips. His gaze penetrates me to the ground, never have I ever seen a gaze that dark and cold. I swallow hard. Without warning his hand quickly wraps around my throat, weakening my ability to breathe. Instinctively I claw at his wrist as I try to pull his hand away with both my hands. My nails tear at his wrist, but he doesn't even flinch.

"Enough of this," he snarls. "You're coming with me, whether you like it or not. You're only putting yourself and your friends in danger by pissing me off, especially that cute little brunette whom I wouldn't mind sinking my teeth in"

At the mentioning of my friends, I become still under his grip. Quickly he pulls us both up on our feet's before he removes his hold on me. He tilts his head slightly while regarding me, as if daring me to try to escape again. But I remain still in front of him, I have realized that I'm only making this worse and that I don't stand a chance against him. Not now and not here.

I let him forcefully drag me through the forest. He moves with quick steps, and I have a hard time keeping up with him. Disoriented I have no clue anymore in which direction we are walking in. Eventually we break through the tree line, emerging onto a deserted road. A car is parked nearby. He shoves me forward, and I stumble, barely catching myself before falling.