Black Temptation

Chapter 8

Staring, I lose track of time. Wiping the crystalized water off my face, I proceed with the proceedings of how the hell to get out of here. There's another bridge 50 yards down, if I can't get to it I can climb the hill and be beside the street near the office building.

Little problem.

There are alligators that roam near that bridge and nest near that bridge. And even worse, he's right behind me. How I undeniably find myself in the sockets of horrible situations when I'm with him.

"McKenz-"

"Ssh! We are in Alligator Territory." I whisper. "It's the perfect time to lay eggs so we need to be very careful of where we step and how we step. Mother Alligators could be planning to nest any time. So I need you to not say anything and follow me. Got it?"

Crouching down, I look before I begin the tedious work of hunched crawling out of this swamp/woods. This is probably why no one questioned Peters when he said the body wasn't found. People look at it as if alligators snacked on her bones and no one dares to bring it up in his face. I look back. Harry is just standing, looking around with his hands in his pockets.

"Do you want to die? Because by all means throw yourself in the lake. But don't drag me with you. Now get down!" I scream a whisper.

He reluctantly crouches and follows me.

"Is it too early to say I'm getting a nice view?" He unattractively jokes. I don't answer, proudly. We are 3 yards from the hill and I let out a sigh of relief. Now we can part ways and never see each other again.

Problem aborted.

That is until he taps me on the shoulder.

"Hey, hey McKenzie." His voice seems urgent, but I pay no mind.

I huff. "What?"

"I-I think you should move your foot."

"What-" I look down to see two crushed eggs under my shamed feet. Then I look over. Two beady eyes of a mother who beams a, not so happy smile of ferocious teeth towards me. She steadies her aim.

Ohhh shit.

"Hey, Harry..."

"Yes?" He's says just as icily as I do.

"Remember when I said stay low and quiet?"

"I remember when you yelled that yes."

"Ok, well. I need you to forget that and RUN!"

By the time the last syllable is out of my mouth, I'm already screaming for my life and running to the hill and tugging up it like there are donuts on the other end.

Dirt breaks under my fingers it provoke a feeling of I'm going nowhere until an unprecedented push propels me over. Stumbling to my numb feet, I start to, let's say, break under pressure.

"WHAT THE FRIGGIN FRUCK!" I howl with my mouth wide open and my eyes wider. They dart to every thing that moves. Alligators can't climb, right? Where's a stick? A stick? Forests are full of sticks? Why can't I find a stick? Oh! Acorns! Really, McKenzie? How are you beat an Alligator with acorns?

"Right." I say, dropping them on the ground.

I hold my breath as more ground breaks suggesting something is coming....

Where the fuck are my acorns?

Incidentally, it is not a derivation of a fire breathing reptile with wings and scary things, it's him.

Harry pulls himself up, face calm as he runs some specs of dirt off of him. Like he is Indiana Jones's spawn and that didn't scare him stiff.

"You okay? You looked pretty freaked out back there." He smirks.

"I almost died! Death! The end! Siyonara! Oh? I'm sorry I became a little freaked out when death stared me in the friggin face! With its beady eyes and listerine needing breath. My bad!"

I start pacing, panicking at nothing, as I hear murmured chuckles.

"What do you need? A latte? A snuggie? Chichia Pet? Those always make me feel better. They're like hairy turtles...Harry turtles...haha....yeah."

"No, I don't need one of your 2008 collectibles."

Cringing in disbelief at what just occurred , I begin the horrible walk back to the parking lot, knowing Harry is behind me laughing all the way there.