The Beast Inside

8.

I hate running! If I could, I would never run again. Pure adrenaline kept me going though, just like the first time. How did this even happen? How did Austin not realize or see? The car had been tampered with. I don't know what exactly had been done or where, but I knew one thing for sure. I was in trouble. I had been driving and it felt like my tire was flat. I had went to pull over when I realized my breaks weren't working either. So coasted for a little bit, trying to get closer to Austin. Once I saw a huge dip coming up, I knew I had to stop. If I didn't, then I would catch speed, and the wreck would be worse. So I readied myself and then turned towards a tree. The car was totaled. I hit it straight on. The air bag had deployed though, so I had a nasty headache. But that wasn't even the worst of it. No, the worst were the men following me. I knew something was off about the man from the supermarket. He gave me the creeps. The way he looked at me like I was a peice of meat. He showed up right after I crashed, and asked if I needed help. He had an evil smirk and that's when I knew. I tried to be nice like always and told him no. That didn't work, he swung my door open and forced me out of the car. His grip was so tight, it felt like he broke my arm, and forced a scream past my lips. Once he let go though, I turned, kicked him in the shin, and took off for the woods.

I knew they were chasing me. I could here them yelling. Taunting me. "Come out, come out. Where ever you are!"

It was creepy. I was surrounded by trees in an area I knew nothing about. I wanted to scream Austin's name at the top of my lungs. I couldn't though, if I did, then it would give the guys an idea of where I was at.

I didn't know if Austin would come though. He had made it perfectly clear that he didn't like me at all. That he would get rid of me the first chance he got. Well... that chance came sooner then he probably thought. I don't know why he didn't like me. He wasn't the nicest of people, but I didn't mind him. His beast, I did like more. Kinda funny to think about. You would think the human would be better. Nope. Not with Austin. He hated me. I screamed when I felt a hand latch on to my shoulder.

"Gotcha!" The guy licked my ear. I felt like I was going to puke!

"Austin. Austin!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

A guy I hadn't ever seen before came around, and punched me across the face, laughing. "No one can hear you out here sweet cheeks."

"Tony. Grab her from behind." The guy from the supermarket brought my elbows behind me and latched his arm through. I used the momentum to lift my legs and kick the guy in front of me.

"Stupid bitch!" The guy spat.

"Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing.

"Austin!" I tried again, only to be slapped.

"He won't save you."  The guy gave me an evil smile.

"Your wrong!" I spit the blood from my mouth on his face.

He wouldn't leave me out here. He would want me dead, probably thinking I ran away. He would be looking for me. His beast would come.

"I won't save you." I yelled as the man wiped the blood from his face.

He just glared and ripped the front of my shirt. I kept on thrashing. I needed away. "Austin!" I whimpered, getting more scared then ever. At least with Cole, I knew he would just kill me. This.... This was worse.

A loud growl echoed through the forest, making the guys freeze on the spot. A laugh bubbled up out of my throat. I couldn't stop. I just kept laughing. He came! Whether Austin was going to kill me or his beast was going to save me, it didn't matter at this point. At least I wouldn't be taken advantage of. The Tony guy quickly let go of me sending me crashing to the ground. I was still laughing. Tears were streaming out of my eyes, but I couldn't stop.

"I'm out of here Rob. Do what you want." Tony panicked while turning to run.

The trees trembled and the ground cracked as the beast landed right in front of him. I looked up, and laughed once more. I was saved.

Tony screamed like a little girl, turning to run. The beast grabbed a hold of though, and lifted him up. He then turned his eyes to me and spoke for the first time. "Natalie. Turn around." My jaw dropped,  at the fact that he could speak. I thought he could only growl and hiss. It the same voice as Austin's, but more husky, deeper almost.

"Y..you spoke, and you called me by my real name." I stuttered a little. He growled at me, showing me a clear view of his fangs. Tony screamed again, while Rob was frozen in place.

"Turn around, and cover your ears." I knew he wasn't joking. I also knew there was nothing I could do to stop him. He was a monster. A beast. A hunter. This was who he was. He killed, and he enjoyed it. I did as I was instructed.

I turned around, sqeezed my eyes shut, and threw my hands over my ears. This was wrong. I knew that. But I was a good person. I had never hurt anyone. They would of taken everything from me. They set me up. They were awful. They probably didn't deserve it either, but then again, what lives were Austin saving by doing this? Who's purity was he keeping in tack? Mine for one. Not only purity, but sanity as well. Those men would of taken me away from me. My happiness. My carefreeness. I didn't move an inch. I was scared. Not of Austin, but of the noises I would hear. I knew he would kill them, but I didn't want to hear the screams, or pleading.

I would never be scared of Austin. He may be a beast, or monster. But he hasn't ever hurt me. This is the second time he saved me.

I screamed as I felt arms wrap around me. I relaxed as I felt soft wings encase me. And I cried as he took off into the air. I didn't cry because we were flying. I cried because of the relief I felt wash over me. The wind was a little chilly on my skin, but I didn't mind. I didn't pay any attention to the fact that we were so high up, I wouldn't be able to see the ground. I just latched onto Austin's neck, and listened to his heart beat. I focused on the fact that I was alive, and I was safe for the moment. I focused on the fact that Austin's beast would never let harm come to me, if at all possible. And I tried to think of a lie to tell Austin, when he gained back control. He would want to know what happened just like this morning. I think this time, I would tell the truth though. He saved me. Even if he doesn't like it.