The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 16

I wake up the next morning by feeling sluggish, having hardly slept. I debate whether I should stay in bed or not as I had nothing to do with my day, but that can be a slippery slope. So I drag myself out from under my duvet, forcing myself to face the day. 

The idea of wasting a whole day sitting in front of the TV, wallowing in my own misery just sounded to sad.

'I need to get out.' I tell myself, feeling a little bit of cabin fever set in.

It doesn't take me long to get dresses into a pair of jeans and a top. I make the effort to brush my hair, but only bother to put a little bit of make up on. Just enough so I don't look like death, walking around town.

The dry autumn leaves crunch under my feet and the bitter cold wind snaps at my face as I walk, making me really wish I had a car. I'll have to make that a top priority. When I get back to the cabin I'll start looking for a little run around.

'Fancy running into you here.' A familiar voice says as I realise I'm walking past the ruins of the old Conri house.

'Do you not have a job or anything better to do then skulk around the woods all day, everyday?' I say with a sarcastic tone.

'I'll let that one slide as today's the big day, but make sure you don't talk to me like that again.' Archer says with a bit of a bite to his voice.

'Whatever.' I say, holding my head up as I carry on walking.

He makes a move towards me, not stopping until he's standing directly in front of me, forcing me to stop.

'What?' I snap.

'Listen here...' He says, getting in my face. '...Just because your Apollos little play thing now doesn't mean I'll put up with any of this. You're beneath me.' He growls.

'One, I've never even spoken to your brother and two, If I'm so beneath you then why do you bother talking to me? Why don't you just leave me alone?'

Archer lets out a chuckle, as he invades my personal space.

'What?' I ask harshly.

'I know he's been visiting you at night. I can sense it.' He says, pulling at a strand of my hair, twirling it between his fingers. 'And I find it... hard to leave you alone. You intrigue me.'

I swat his hand away which seems to anger him as he grabs hold of my jacket, forcing me backward until I hit a tree. 

'What...What are you doing?' I stammer out in a panicked voice.

'When he gets bored of you and trust me he will, I'll do whatever I want with you.' He whispers into my ear, making me wince from his promise. 'Or why wait?' He adds, slowly sliding a hand up the inside of my thigh.

I try to push at his chest to put some space between us, but he doesn't budge. So I start swinging my hands at him, trying to hit him hard enough that he gives up his mission. But my blows do nothing to deter him as his hand moves higher and higher.

Then suddenly a large howl rip through the woods, instantly stopping Archers hand moving any further up. He takes a step away from me as he looks over his shoulder towards the origin of the terrifying sound. I look past Archer to see what he's looking at. A large black wolf, standing at the top of a hill looking down at us.

I let out a gut retching scream as the animal comes running towards us and I waste no time in turning and running back to the cabin. I don't look back to see what's happening behind me as adrenaline courses through my veins pushing me to run faster and faster to save my life. The wind whips past my ears and tears run down my face as I push myself as hard as I can. I make it to the steps of the cabin, not letting myself look back until I'm inside with the door locked. I peek through the window of the door looking for any movement in the woods. There's nothing. The beast must of got Archer. I didn't like the guy, but I didn't want some wild animal to tear him apart and kill him. But I wasn't about to go out there and try to save him either... I'm not stupid.

After a short while of staring out the window I run to the kitchen and grab a knife out of the top draw. Then I run upstairs and lock myself in my bedroom, hiding just in case the beast tries to find me after it's done with Archer. I try to find my mobile to call someone, but I must of dropped it in the woods while I was running. Not feeling brave enough to leave the room I just sit there feeling like a coward, thinking about archer lying there needing help. My help.

I lose track of how long I sit on my cold bedroom floor with my back to the door, holding that knife. Outside, the sun is starting to set and suddenly a hunger swells in my stomach causing me to look through my bedroom window. I check to see if the coast is clear and when I'm satisfied I can't see the wild animal I dare to go downstairs. I rush into the kitchen, looking at the phone hanging on the wall. I quickly dial 911, desperate for someone to come out and shoot that beast lurking in the woods. Just as the line starts to ring, an excruciating cramp rips through my stomach, crippling me, sending me down to the floor as I gasp for air.

'911, what's your emergency?' I hear the operator say down the phone.

I try to move towards the phone to call for help, but the pain keeps me pinned in one place, unable to scream or even utter a syllable. I single tear slides down my cheek as I fear death has come for me. I need to move. I need to get help. Move...

I slide my arm along the floor in a slow tortuous movement, my finger tips stretching out to reach the receiver. A sigh of relief feels me when I touch the white wire cord at the end of the phone, pulling it towards my body.

'Hello?' The operator says, as she hears the scratching of the phone being dragged along the floor.

'Help.' I whisper, but they don't here me. The phone is too far away from my mouth.

As I keep slowly moving the phone up my body I keep trying to call for help.

'Help' I mouth as any noise refuses to come out.

Then suddenly the phone is lifted out of my grasp. I watch as it's moved back to its base, ending the call, cutting me off from any help. My eyes follow the hand back to the person who's denying me what I need. I lock eyes with him as I lay in the floor writhing in pain... Apollo.