Escape: Teaser

The last day

Being new to town, I didn't know left from right and getting turned around was so easy. The sun would be setting soon, and it was getting colder. I had to get home. Or at the very least somewhere where I could get a hold of a phone. I walked the streets, and soon reached what I assumed was the center of town. The buildings towered over me. The street lamps one by one slowly lit up the streets. But despite the signs all over the place, I was lured to the town's library. It was almost antique, and the rumors of there being whispers after hours, large crashes, and shadows, was far too good to pass up. I glanced up at the rusted metal letters that spelled, “Hilltown Library,” I mindlessly wandered closer. Leaves rustled and crunched under the feet of passersby, but I couldn't help but get a spine chilling sense that something or someone was near. Before I turned around a hand grasped my shoulder. I jolted back to break free. The firm grip was hard to shake. My heart was pounding, face went flush. Spinning around to face who was behind me, it seemed to be nothing but the leaves at my feet. Then again a hand went for my shoulder. A soft giggle, that playfully uneasy. Instead of spinning, as before I reached for the hand. It was cold to the touch.

“Lexi! A little jumpy now are we?” Dustin said teasingly.

“What the hell! You scared me half to death!” I yelled breathlessly and trying to calm down.

“Aww! You're no fun. And here I thought I could make myself look semi decent for the new girl.” He whined with a slight smirk that made the ends of his lips curl.

I couldn't help but smile back. His was contagious, I swear.  He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the library. I could feel the heat rush across my cheeks. My stomach filled with butterflies, and I let him guide me, I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't realize we were inside. He took us to the back of the library. It was musty, the air was heavy, and my breathing became raspy.

           “Where are...” I couldn't get a full sentence out before he pulled me further into a pitch black room.

His grip went from my hand to my wrist, squeezing tighter as I tried twisting away; leaving a slow numbness that crept over my hand. The room was cramped, chilly, and nothing like any storage closet I had ever seen.

“Where are we going! D...Dustin” I demanded, yet choking on his name.

           “Shut up!” He yelled, pushing me into a chair, “Try to get away. I dare you,” he said sternly.

Every word, step, and rustle seemed to be amplified. Turning around, he inched the door closed. Something as insignificant as the click of the lock, though quiet, seemed distorted in the room. Everything was once again a blanket of darkness, engulfing me, him, and our fate in one moment. The towers of boxes seemed ten miles high, where I, I was nothing but a trembling mouse anticipating the pounce. My heart was just about to burst out of my chest, when everything started to spin, and I felt like the center of a twister. While I tried to make out figures in the dark there was a spark. The small flame of a candle illuminated his face, and by that time he was all but three steps away from me. That light was just enough to shield us from the surrounding darkness. But the most unsettling thing wasn't the dark, it was his psychotic smile. His voice changed from a greeting to something that was pure poison. But it was confident. That, right there, is what made an internal earthquake go off in my body. This was fight or flight, and all I could do was freeze, paralyzed with fear. The tears started then to accumulate but not fall, making the light refract into an orangish web. He started towards me. One step, I blinked and the tears pour down my cheek. Two steps, and the shine off something he had on his belt loop caught my eye. Three steps. Toe to toe. A tug up lifted me to my feet.

           “I knew I liked you. So obedient. The perfect thing to add to my collection,” he whispered in my ear circling me. Then with a quick flick of the wrist a blade came out, just as fast as it appeared it was pressed to my neck.

“NO! STOP!” I shrieked.

           “Awe, but im not sure if I want to,” He snarled, applying pressure on the blade. A small trickle of scarlet went down my throat. “Now that's what I like to see,” Dustin said with contentment.

“Why? Why me?” I asked almost to myself.

           “Because I chose this. I decide your fate. I will make you wish there was a God,” he spoke in a slow, sharp tone.

The steel was cold, smooth, and it was an extension of him.

           “One small slip and the blade would be painted in blood.” Dustin laughed, as he looked me in the eyes.

“I,” I muttered trying not to set off the mentally unstable landmine that he had become.

“Shh,” he hushed as he pressed knife, making a little bit more disappear.

I could feel the skin give way to the force he applied. Warm blood was now seeping from my neck. A moment later numbness crept up my body, and my vision only went as far as the face in front of me. As I tried to not give him the satisfaction of making me plead for my life, I drew one last breath, shutting my eyes. I pictured my family, said my silent goodbyes, and my body went limp.