Bait // Thiam

Chapter 27

I woke up slowly, the cold breeze hitting my face. I could hear my phone ringing, but it sounded faded and almost like I still wasn't in reality. I slowly opened my eyes, and realised I was still out in the woods. I sat up quickly and grabbed out my phone, thinking of one person it could be.

Theo. I've been trying to get to him for hours now, so maybe he's finally turned back on his phone and decided to call me back. I grabbed out my phone and checked to see who the caller ID was, and soon lost my smile. I wasn't disappointed to see the name, it's just not who I wanted it to be.

"Hey, Hayden. What's up?" I asked her, trying to sound as happy as I possibly could.

"Nothing, it's just you left school today. Just wanted to make sure you were okay." She told me, concern in her voice.

"Yea I'm fine, just wasn't in the mood to be there. I wasn't feel all that well, and I didn't want to be around people and have to be at school." I told her, trying to tell her the truth as best as I could.

I didn't want to tell her I left, because I was thinking about Theo, and then when he didn't answer my phone call, I didn't want to go back to school. Hayden already thinks I'm spending to much time thinking about Theo, so I know that if I tell her the full truth, she'll think I'm obsessed with him going missing, and then she'll ask too many questions. She'll ask why I'm so worried, and then I'll have to think of an excuse, rather than telling her about the hunters.

"Can I come around? I can make you feel better, cook you some soup for dinner and possibly watch a movie?" She asked me, her voice going high pitched when she said, 'movie'. "It's fine if you're not in the mood for it."

"No, that sounds perfect." I told her, slightly laughing into the phone.

"I'll be over there as soon as possible. Bye." Once she hung up, I quickly got up and starting sprinting for my house.

I jumped over all the sticks and rocks that were hanging out, making sure I didn't trip over anything. Once I got out of the woods, and only a couple houses away from mine, I started to slowly jog. I looked around my new neighbourhood and smiled, taking in all the new surroundings. Even though I've lived in my old house since I was born, and it was hard to say goodbye and move, I defiantly prefer this house.

It's nicer, bigger and more modern. My room is even bigger, I have my own ensuite, there's two living rooms, so now I have my own gaming room, the kitchen is bigger, we have a separate room for the dining table, and the backyard is twice the size of the old one.

Once I got to the front door, I unlocked it and ran upstairs to my room. I put a fresh pair of clothes on and fixed up my hair, making sure I didn't look like I just woke up from a nap in the woods. Once I was done getting ready, I ran back downstairs and went into the living room.

Since we've only been in this house a couple of days, we still haven't unpacked everything. Only one living room is up and running, and the other one is in the process of getting unpacked. I turned on the TV, went onto Netflix and flicked through all the movies, trying to find one that both Hayden and I, will enjoy.

I went into horror, comedy and supernatural, and found a couple that sounded good. I narrowed it down to three movies, and then waited for Hayden to arrive. Whilst I waited for her to arrive, I went into the kitchen and grabbed some utensils, we'll need to eat. I placed them on the coffee table, and lit a candle as well.

I went back up to my room and grabbed my phone off charge, checking to see if I had any new messages. I was more so checking, to see if I had anything new from, Theo. And again, I did have a message, but it wasn't from who I was hoping.

From: Hayden ❤️
Hey, not to far away now. I'm about five minutes away, just pulled up to the traffic lights. Can't wait to see you xx

I didn't bother texting her back, as she sent the text three minutes ago, and she'll be here any minute. I put my phone in pocket, and walked into my bathroom, checking myself out once more. I ran my fingers through my hair, and took a deep breath in, trying to think about how to act.

I'm not sure if I should just tell her about Theo, and that's the reason why I really left. Or if I should just tell her, I didn't feel well. I'll just tell her that I didn't feel well, because she already thinks I'm to obsessed with Theo going missing, and I don't need her to add this onto the list.

I went back downstairs and looked out the window, waiting for Hayden to pull up in my driveway. I looked out into the woods, and smiled, thinking about the night Theo and I, spent hours in the woods. The night I learnt who the real Theo was, the night that he saved me.

I focused my eyes on the woods, when I saw something move. I took a step back from the window, and pulled out my phone, dialling Hayden's number, but not calling it. I felt it harder to breath, as I watched the figure. It wasn't an animal, as it was standing on two feet. After what happened at the old house, I haven't been able to feel safe since.

Seeing whoever was in the woods, made me even more anxious. I don't know if it was a hunter, or someone else, but then again, who would be out in the woods at this time of night. I took a step closer and focused my eyes, trying to see if I could see the face of the person out there. I lost concentration, when I saw headlight up ahead.

I smiled when I saw Hayden's car, but then I couldn't breath. Her headlights lit up the woods, and then I could see who was standing in the woods. I don't know if it was just my mind playing tricks on me, letting me see what I wanted to see, or if I saw what I actually saw.

"Theo?" I whispered, as I watched him run away.

I heard a knock on the door, and then I pulled back into reality. Back into the world, where Theo isn't with me anymore, because he fell in love with me.

Back into the world, where I'm alone without him, and slowly going insane. Day by day.