"Aaaargh!"
I muffled a scream as a thorn tore through my skin. Warm blood trickled down my shoulder, the sting sharp and unforgiving. My lacy-sleeved gown might've protected me, if that bastard hadn't ripped it off in blind ecstasy. But this blood... it was nothing compared to what I'd lose if he caught me.
I could hear his footsteps behind me now, heavy with rage, closing in fast.
My life flashed before me.
My dreams.
The promises I made to myself—graduate top of my class, land a job at a prestigious engineering firm, give my mother and sister the life they deserved. I would travel the world: Paris, Africa, Asia, even Antarctica. I would fall in love with a kind man, get married, and live a happy-ever-after.
But now...
Now all I wanted was to live through this night.
My sister; sweet, calm, innocent. My best friend. My confidant. The love of my life.
We were supposed to take care of Mum together.
I couldn't die here. Not tonight. Not like this.
But my body was failing me. My throat burned from hours of running. My legs were numb, torn up from bushes and thorns. I shouldn't have abandoned my shoes miles ago but it was too late for regrets now.
"No!" I screamed as pain shot through my knees, forcing me to a stop. I needed to hide. I had been running for hours, lost in the forest's endless stretch of trees and silence.
And then, I saw it.
An old, abandoned well just ahead-half-collapsed, shrouded in shadows. It might not be deep, but maybe it was deep enough. With the last ounce of strength I had, I hurled myself into the darkness, not caring if I cracked my skull. As long as it wasn't by his hands.
The well was shallow, barely enough to conceal me. My breath came in short, shaking bursts. My heart beat louder than ever, and still—I tried to be silent.
"Zara!"
His voice boomed across the woods.
"I can hear you. I know you're there. You can't escape me!"
I whimpered.
I was done for.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I crouched deeper, praying he wouldn't find me.
Please, God, let me live.
If I died here, would anyone find my body? What would happen to my soul?
Was this karma?
My thoughts spiraled. I mentally listed the men I'd played in the last two years; Jordan, Eric, Joshua, Jon, and now… If I survived this, I'd find them. I'd apologize.
But just as I thought the night would pass quietly, my feet were yanked into the air. Pain shot through my skull as it slammed against cold stone.
The last thing I heard before everything went black was his voice, low and cruel: "Found you, bitch."