Mounting Danger

Chapter 15: Not a damsel

My bare feet slammed against the cold gravel outside as I dashed wildly for the bush surrounding Ricky's house. It hurt to push myself but I did it regardless. 

I saved myself--and possibly killed Ricky. Still, a nagging thought refused to leave me. What if he survived?  There was no doubt he'd come back to kill me. I didn't want to live a life where I was constantly looking over my shoulder. 

I made a sudden stop.  After brief contemplation, I beelined back to the house like the idiot I was. Going back now when I was free was foolish, I knew that but I had to be sure he was dead. Not only for my own safety but to get justice for Karina and every other woman he tormented. 

The garage came into view, still eerily quiet. Oddly enough, there was still no trace of a guard around. I snuck back inside, my eyes instantly locking onto Ricky's. He was gasping for air, his own eyes bulging. Blood leaked from the sides of his mouth and his throat, making a faint gargling sound.

I knelt beside him, guilt pricking my insides. There was something about a human on the brink of death that was jarring. I took him in now, sprawled on the floor. I hadn't realized until that moment he had soiled himself. 

His pitiful state made me almost want to help him...almost.

"You smell like shit." I held my nose and fished through his pockets with my free hand. As expected, a pistol was inside. I whipped it out and pressed it against his forehead. A cold sweat broke out on my skin. I was worried, not for Ricky but for myself. I knew what I was getting myself into with the Hunters when I agreed to help them but what I was about to do was crossing a line I couldn't go back on.

Ricky began sputtering louder, his arms jerking and falling in an attempt to reach out to me.

 How would I sleep at night knowing I took another human's life?

I closed my eyes and squeezed the trigger. Liquid splattered on my face and lips, making me cringe. I inhaled deeply before opening my eyes. The gaping hole in Ricky's head stared back at me. I put my finger on the trigger again, this time placing the gun to his temple and keeping my eyes open. 

Another bloody hole appeared in Ricky's head. He was dead and the sight of his deformed face was now engrained in my memories. Still, I felt no guilt meaning I had the answer to my question.

I'd sleep like a baby at night.

I quickly rose to my feet and stalked back to the garage door checking how many bullets I had left. Three more. Enough to kill anyone that got in my way. I crouched slightly as I moved forward, trying to keep in the shadows. Soon, I was past the house again, then into the woods.

It was dark and murky among the bushes and tall trees but it offered shelter from whoever could be lurking around Ricky's horror house. I relaxed a little, letting out a deep sigh. Unfortunately, my relief only lasted a moment. There was a crack somewhere behind me that was unmistakably something moving. I wasn't familiar with the area or the animals that roamed about but I'd bet that was a wolf.  With no phone or flashlight to check, I was forced to rely on my hearing. 

Crouching to the floor, I listened intently for another step. There was none. The only sound that floated through the air was from a sudden cold gust of wind that nipped at my skin.

"Selene." I thought I heard my name being called out. I listened closely until my name was called again. The voice was familiar but I couldn't place it. I didn't respond. 

"Selene." The voice whispered again. The hair on my arms stood on end. It was Eli. He had killed Karina and was coming to finish me off before I could let everyone know he was a traitor.