Twisted Devotion

Chapter Seventeen

Ava's legs burned as she pushed herself forward, pulling Jess with her through the dense trees. The air was cold, but sweat slicked her skin as the adrenaline surged through her veins. She could still hear Dominic's voice echoing in her mind, soft, pleading, filled with a twisted sort of love that made her stomach churn.

How could she not have known? The memory of his face back at the party, the fleeting conversations they'd had, all seemed so innocuous then. She hadn't even given him a second thought. He had just been a guy in the background. But now, knowing how deeply his obsession ran, every memory of him took on a darker, more sinister edge.

"Ava, we have to stop," Jess gasped, her voice ragged, pulling Ava back to the present. Jess was barely keeping up, stumbling over tree roots, her body weakened by fear and exhaustion.

Ava slowed slightly, looking around in desperation. They couldn't stop. Not here, not yet. But Jess was right—they couldn't run much longer, not in this state. The sound of Dominic moving through the woods behind them wasn't far off. His footsteps were quiet, but persistent, like a predator stalking its prey. He was close. Too close.

"This way," Ava whispered, pulling Jess toward a cluster of thick bushes. "We'll hide for a second."

They ducked behind the bushes, crouching low, trying to still their frantic breathing. Ava held onto Jess, gripping her arm tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the rustle of leaves and the steady crunch of Dominic's footsteps getting closer.

"He's not going to stop," Jess whispered, her voice trembling. "He's obsessed with you, Ava. We have to get out of here."

"I know," Ava whispered back, panic tightening in her throat. She glanced through the leaves, trying to catch a glimpse of him without moving. The forest was dark, but she could hear him, feel him getting nearer. He was relentless, driven by something far more dangerous than anger—his twisted idea of love.

"Come on," Ava whispered to Jess, helping her get lower to the ground. "We'll stay quiet. Let him pass."

The minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling like an eternity. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional crack of a branch or rustle of leaves. Ava listened intently, her heart thudding in her ears, waiting for Dominic to appear.

And then she saw him.

He moved through the trees like a shadow, his head turning slowly from side to side, searching for them. His face was calm, almost serene, but there was an intensity in his dark eyes that chilled her to the core. He wasn't frantic or panicked. He was methodical. He knew they were close.

"Ava," he called softly, his voice steady. "I know you're here."

Ava's heart skipped a beat. She could feel Jess trembling beside her, both of them frozen, hoping he wouldn't find them. But Dominic didn't seem rushed. He walked slowly, as if savoring the moment, as if he knew he would catch them eventually.

"I don't want to scare you," he said, his voice carrying through the trees. "I just want to talk. You don't need to keep running."

Ava's mind raced. She had to think, had to come up with a plan. They couldn't outrun him forever, but if they could keep him talking, maybe they could find another way to escape. She scanned the area, looking for anything—an opening, a path, something that could give them an advantage.

"I've waited so long for this, Ava," Dominic continued, his voice soft, almost tender. "For you to come back to me. For you to see me."

Ava's stomach twisted. He didn't understand. He wasn't going to understand. No matter what she said, no matter how much she told him that she didn't feel the same, he wouldn't believe it. He had created this fantasy in his mind, one where they were meant to be together, and nothing could shake that delusion.

"Please," Jess whispered, barely audible. "We have to do something."

Ava's eyes darted to a narrow path leading deeper into the woods, barely visible through the thick foliage. It was risky, but it was their only shot. She glanced back at Dominic, who was still moving slowly through the trees, his voice soft and coaxing, trying to draw her out.

"Okay," Ava whispered to Jess. "When I say go, we make a break for that path. Stay low, and don't stop."

Jess nodded, her eyes wide with fear, but she trusted Ava. She had to. They had no other choice.

Ava waited, her muscles tense, watching Dominic's every move. He was getting closer now, dangerously close. If they didn't move soon, he would spot them.

"I know you're afraid," Dominic called out, his voice laced with concern. "But you don't need to be. I'm not going to hurt you. I could never hurt you."

Ava's pulse quickened. Now.

"Go!" she whispered urgently, grabbing Jess's arm and pulling her to her feet.

They bolted from their hiding spot, darting toward the narrow path, the underbrush scratching at their legs as they moved. The sound of their movement must have caught Dominic's attention because she heard him shout, his voice no longer calm and measured but filled with sudden urgency.

"Ava! Stop!"

But they didn't stop. They ran faster, pushing through the thick trees, stumbling over rocks and roots. Ava didn't dare look back, her only focus on getting Jess and herself as far away as possible.

The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the woods. The branches closed in around them, the darkness growing thicker with each step, but they kept going. Dominic's footsteps pounded behind them, but he was falling farther away. They were gaining ground.

Ava's breath came in ragged gasps, her lungs burning as they pushed forward. Jess was barely keeping up, her body shaking with exhaustion, but she didn't let go of Ava's hand.

"Just a little further," Ava whispered, though she had no idea where they were going or how long they could keep running.

Suddenly, the path opened up into a small clearing. They stopped, both of them panting, trying to catch their breath. The forest around them was silent, the sound of Dominic's footsteps no longer audible.

For a moment, they were alone.

Jess collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Ava crouched beside her, her eyes scanning the clearing, her mind racing. They had bought themselves time, but not much. Dominic would find them again. He always found them.

"We can't stay here," Ava whispered, more to herself than to Jess. "We have to keep moving."

But Jess was barely conscious, her body trembling with exhaustion. She needed rest. They both did.

Ava's mind raced as she considered their options. They were deep in the woods now, far from any help. But there had to be a way out. There had to be something they could do.

And then she saw it—a small structure on the other side of the clearing, barely visible through the trees. It was an old cabin, hidden and forgotten, covered in vines and moss. It looked abandoned, but it was shelter. It was a place to hide.

"Jess," Ava whispered, shaking her friend gently. "We have to move. There's a cabin. We can hide there."

Jess nodded weakly, her breath still shallow, but she forced herself to stand with Ava's help.

Together, they moved toward the cabin, every step a struggle. But it was hope. It was their only hope.

As they reached the door, Ava glanced back one last time, her heart pounding in her chest. The forest was still, but she knew Dominic was out there, searching for them.

He wouldn't stop.

But neither would she.