Ruthless

16

Upon waking, I felt as if a train had run me over. A persistent, rhythmic hum irritated my ears, adding to the throbbing headache. I attempted to deaden the pain by rubbing my temples, but it only offered little relief. Yes I was still feeling like a shit.

Clearing the haze from my eyes, I discovered I was in the back seat of a moving vehicle. Confusion engulfed me as I tried to comprehend how I ended up there. The familiar figure of the masked man behind the wheel caught my eye.

Recollections of unsettling events flooded my mind—mass killings, Allison, Stephanie, betrayal, and the masked man. Each memory stirred a profound fear within me.

Surprisingly composed, I refrained from creating chaos. No shouts or pleas for answers escaped my lips; instead, I clung to outward calmness although my heart threatened to give way beneath.

Sitting in the tense silence, the only sound being the distant hum of an engine, I desperately tried to formulate a plan to escape the dangerous circumstances I was stuck in, but my mind drew a blank.

The enclosed area of the car added to my vulnerability, intensifying the sense of dread. The journey continued into uncertainty, the purpose of this abduction looming larger.

The car abruptly halted after navigating numerous twists and turns through the secluded wilderness.

Peering through the windshield, panic set in as I realized the car had stopped in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an unending ocean of trees and nature. My heartbeat echoed in my ears. Dozens of troubling thoughts started to permeate my mind, each one surpassing the previous one in unease.

One of the thoughts that crossed my mind was that perhaps their initial plan involved taking me to an isolated place to kill and bury me. However, the next second, I dismissed this idea as me not making sense. Considering the number of bodies already present, the addition of mine wouldn't significantly impact their situation. After all, it's not as if my lifeless form would suddenly illuminate and reveal their evil deeds.

Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I knew I had to be brave and smart. One mistake, and my life could be over.

*******************************

The door to my left swung open, revealing a masked man whose towering presence loomed over me. "Step out of the car," his command was firm, leaving no room for disobedience.

An impulse to slap the car door shut, lock it, and escape the area with his vehicle tempted me—only if I had the key.

Nodding, I cautiously slipped out of the car. Dizziness swept over me, a harsh reminder of how I had been knocked out. Leaning on the car for support, I closed my eyes. Upon reopening them, I noticed the man was nowhere but he distanced himself far.

His nonchalant demeanor struck me. Instead of scrutinizing me with an eagle gaze, he seemed more like a weary husband avoiding his wife.

Speaking of husband, Adam, crossed my mind, but I dismissed them. I found solace in not being married to someone like him.

The urge to escape tugged at me, but the realization that it wouldn't be easy held me back. He knew I couldn't get away.

Reluctantly, I followed the path he had taken through the forest. Wanting to avoid becoming wild animal fodder, I jogged to catch up with him.

As he led me deeper into the heart of the forest, questions again raced through my mind, building a sense of dread and tension.

Unable to restrain myself, I blurted out, "Where are we going?" and a series of other questions followed nonstop.