7.

Mega

I run through the bayou, my heart pounding in my chest. The branches and undergrowth whip against my legs, leaving stinging welts, but I don"t care. I need to get away from Lash, from the confusion and guilt that"s twisting inside me. How could I have been so foolish to think there could be something between us?

I finally stop by the water"s edge, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The bayou is quiet, the only sound the rustle of leaves and the distant croak of frogs. I collapse to my knees, burying my face in my hands. Tears stream down my cheeks, hot and bitter.

I feel so angry at myself. Angry for leading Lash on, for letting myself believe in the possibility of a connection. I lift my head and see my reflection in the water. My eyes travel to the scar near my collarbone, a cruel reminder of my past.

Anger wells up inside me, and I slap the water, shattering the reflection into a thousand ripples. The sudden violence of the act feels cathartic, but it does nothing to ease the turmoil within me. I drop my hand, watching the ripples gradually calm, my reflection reassembling itself piece by piece.

Suddenly, my phone rings, the sound jarring in the stillness of the bayou. My hands tremble as I pull it out of my pocket. The number is unknown, but I already know who it is. Dread coils in my stomach as I answer, my voice barely above a whisper.

"What do you want now?"

The voice on the other end is soft, almost tender. "Why did you push away his kiss?"

Fear ripples through me, freezing my blood. "Tell me who you are," I demand, my voice shaking.

"Do you push people away because you don"t want anyone to know about the scar?" The voice is smooth, almost soothing, but the words cut deep. "Do you think that because you're scarred you're unworthy of love?"

I stand up, my eyes darting around the darkened bayou, searching for the eyes I know are watching me. "Where are you?" I scream, spinning in circles. "Show yourself!"

But there"s no answer, only the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of predatory creatures. My hand tightens around the phone, my knuckles white. I can feel my heart pounding in my throat, the taste of fear sharp and metallic.

I hang up, my hand shaking so badly I nearly drop the phone. My mind is racing, filled with images of Lash, the scar, and the faceless voice that seems to know too much. The bayou feels oppressive, the darkness pressing in on me from all sides.

I need to get out of here. I start running again, my feet pounding the ground, my breaths coming in panicked gasps. The trees blur around me, the shadows stretching out like grasping hands. And in my ears his soft, insistent words ring."Why did you push away his kiss?"

***

Adrenaline courses through my veins as I sprint, my feet barely touching the ground. My heart pounds in my ears, my breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. I need to reach Lash. See if his safe.

When I finally reach his house, I bang on the door, yelling his name. "Lash! Lash, are you there?" The only response is silence. My panic escalates. I peer through the windows, pressing my face against the glass to see inside.

To my shock, there"s almost no furniture. The living room is empty save for a single, dusty chair and a broken lamp. The kitchen looks untouched, the counters bare and the appliances old and rusted. The entire place has an air of neglect, as if no one has lived here for years.

Gulping, I try the door, my hand shaking as I turn the knob. It slides open easily, the creak echoing through the empty house. I step inside, the floorboards groaning under my weight. Dust dances in the light streaming through the windows.

I move from room to room, each one confirming my growing dread. The bedroom is empty, the closet bare except for a few old hangers. The bathroom is covered in a fine layer of dust, the mirror cracked and dirty. There"s no sign of Lash, no personal items, no sign of daily life except a few food items in the fridge and a mattress in the corner.

This house has been abandoned for a long time.

My mind races. Lash doesn't live here. He lied to me. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. Lash has been playing a game, and I've been caught in the middle of it.

Anger and betrayal surge through me, but beneath that, there's a deep, gnawing confusion. If Lash isn't who he says he is, then why did he come into my life in the first place?

I stand up, my legs trembling, and make my way back to the door. As I step outside, the suddenly cool air hits my face, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. I glance back at the house one last time, its empty windows staring back at me like hollow eyes.

When I finally reach my house, I lock the door behind me. I collapse against it, my body trembling with exhaustion and fear, my heart pounding.

The house is silent and I slide to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest, trying to make sense of the chaos.

I can't trust Lash. I can't trust anyone. All I have is myself and the determination to uncover the truth.

Dragging myself upstairs, I crawl into bed, the events t replaying in my mind. The darkness feels suffocating, filled with secrets and lies. I close my eyes, seeing Lash's face in front of me. Piercing eyes, a menacing curve to the mouth and that presence that even in my moment of distress, still calls out to me.

You need him, a voice whispers in the back of my mind and I squeeze my eyes.

Whoever he is and however dangerous, I don't think I'll be strong enough to resist him.