Capewood (Book I) *Completed*

Julian

I have felt like someone is watching Autumn and me since after our little impromptu make-out session. I can't say that I'm complaining about the kiss itself, but I am complaining in the sense that I have been very nervous since we the place we were camped out. 

But damn, that kiss. 

Don't get me wrong, I've kissed girls before, but never like this. Never so passionately. Autumn ignited a fire in me that I can't explain. If a hurricane could be a feeling, it would be the feel of her placing her body up against mine. Something about this girl has a grip on me. 

But right now, someone also has their eyes on me. 

Why can't I shake this feeling of being watched?!

I know that Eros probably has cameras everywhere in this maze. That's something that I've known that I was going to have to deal with once he said "entertain me," but I don't think that's what I'm feeling. This is a physical presence. Like someone is following  Autumn and me. 

As if whatever is following us can read my mind, I hear a crash against the metal of the wall from behind us. I turn to Autumn, and she didn't even notice as she just continues to walk ahead like nothing is happening. I grab ahold of her arm with an intensity that sends her eyes flickering back at me. "We need to run," 

She doesn't ask questions, just kind of stands there looking confused. I start to run pulling her along, and quickly learn what I assumed ahead of time; Autumn is not a strong runner. "Julian, please," she says trying to keep up with my long strides as she almost falls. Autumn is short, and her legs can't keep up with my long legs. "What the heck is going on?" 

We turn right, left, right, left, and then I quickly forget the pattern I was going.

Shit, did we turn right or left?

 Adrenaline rushes are crazy things. You get your mind moving at such a rapid pace, and then when you try to think logically, your brain suddenly forgets. 

I stop running suddenly. Autumn runs straight into my back, but I was expecting her to do that, so we didn't tumble down. I turn towards her and put my hands over her mouth and listen to the maze around me. This person, or thing, is either good at following or gave us trying to chase us after we decided to speed up. 

What if this is the Reaper? What if this is my last breathing moments?

I hold up my finger to my mouth, and make sure Autumn understands I need her to be quiet. She nods her head with tears welling up in her eyes and stays put when I walk past her towards the back of the maze. The only way that this thing is going to get flushed out is through confrontation. There's no other way. We apparently can't outrun it, and if this is the Reaper at least  Autumn can get a head start at running away from her. 

Just breathe, Julian. Don't let your fear get the better of you. This is no time for panic. 

I creep up to the corner and take a deep breath while I work up the nerve to look around it. 

Alright, in 1. 2. 3. 

I rope my head around the corner and see a glimpse of one of the kids from the night that we were all sitting in the circle. His face looks shocked, and he slashes something sharp across my forehead. Blood begins to fall down my face. It fills my eyes and my mouth, and I hear his footsteps as he runs away. 

I wipe the blood off his face and see that he's already halfway down the maze hallway.

He's faster than expected, but still not faster than me.