The Hunter and the Hunted

A nightmare in the woods

I didn’t say anything, vowing that I would not beg for my life. I knew it wouldn’t help.

But then, he didn’t have to know that I knew that he had murdered somebody. Maybe if I pretended that I was just an innocent-girl who got lost in the woods.

I opened my mouth but said nothing. The words didn’t come out. Honestly, what would you do if you were someone’s soon to be meal? And right now I was cold, shaking involuntarily and wet.  Nd oh yeah, I had just seen a murdered Grandma.

“I am- I’m just lost” I managed to squeak out, deciding to ignore his previous comment. After all if I vomited (which I was very possibly going to do) then I would vomit on him. That’s punishment enough I think.

I stepped away from him, I needed my private space.

I stared at him I could make out his still taunting expression but I kept my mouth shut. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice blunt

“Oh you know” he said tilting his head casually “burying a body”

I stumbled back in shock. He had openly admitted to the murder! Before I could say something I saw his face, that stupid smirk had widened. I gritted my teeth. I was not in the mood. At. All.

“Look, Could you just show me the way to the path? I seriously am lost” I said through clenched teeth, trying not to let my voice shake.

He sighed, and tilted his head again, an eyebrow raised “No” he said finally.

“No?” I echoed him. “Why?” I spluttered. Ok, I was losing my head. He said no. Run. RUN YOU IDIOT! He obviously means, no, see I actually really feel like killing you, if you don’t mind?

“No” The person replied. He smiled at me. “Did a thought cross your mind? That must have been one long, lonely journey” he said sympathetically “I can see you don’t think often, seeing as you chose to come here on a night like this” He leaned forward “Bad things happen in the woods sweetheart”

OH MY GOD HE HAD JUST ADMITTED THAT HE WAS GOING To MURDER ME!

I nearly gawped at him but then thought better of it.

“Fine” I said bluntly. Now, walk away, and in the count of 3, run, run like- like- run like hell just happened!

I started very causally walking away, but he stepped in front of me. I tried not to start bawling out loud. “So you’ve changed your mind?” I asked sweetly, “Does this one work any better?”

Some evil, dark expression crossed his face and I nearly peed myself.

“Watch your mouth sweetheart” he said, his eyes stone cold as if I had told him to go kill himself.  “I’m saving your sorry life here”

I didn’t say anything and kept my mouth clamped shut.

“Seeing as I am helping you” the idiot said “ the least you could do is tell me your name”

I don’t know what the hell he was going to do with my name. At the moment I didn’t care if he was going to use it in a ritual of some sort. I was cold, and it didn’t seem like he was going to start walking until I answered his question.

“Phoenix” I said, my teeth chattered.

“Phoenix?” he asked,

He seemed to find that extremely funny for some reason and just nodded. “Well, birdie, let’s hurry up a little we don’t want to get cold outside.” I was in no state to have my name made fun of but I couldn’t really do much about this right now. All I could focus on was getting out of these woods alive. With that he took my arm and started striding along the twigs and branches as if it were a walk in the park. I stumbled along after him trying not to fall.