Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

JUSTICE

One week later

" H ELP!" my screams are muffled by the dense, dark forest. Not that it matters, here, there's no one to hear my screams except for him.

"HELP!" he mimics my plea with perfection.

I scramble through the tangled undergrowth, branches lashing at my skin as I search for an escape from this nightmare. This nightmare I put myself in by running from Salem, and foolishly believing that this time might be any different.

"You should know better than to run."

Right now, the thought of giving in to Salem and letting him have his way with me, no matter what, is at the forefront of my mind. Maybe it's time to admit defeat. To give in and simply live this life of madness and terror with Salem by my side.

The rain soaks me, my bare feet sink into puddles of mud and dirt, sending shivers down my spine. The cold seeps into the marrow of my bones. Fear courses through every nerve ending in my body, my muscles tremble uncontrollably.

"Justice!" His voice is barely audible over the encroaching, summer storm.

But I feel his presence closing in on me, the hunter stalking his prey.

A low hum vibrates against my skin, a harsh reminder of the shock collar clasped firmly around my neck.

"I'm sorry, my love, but you know I have to punish you."

I grit my teeth and try to ignore the bite of pain as desperation fuels me, and I sprint forward, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

The collar vibrates again, the setting dialled up to increase the shock. I stumble over a fallen branch, falling to my knees and gasping for air as electricity courses through my veins.

I can't stay here. I can't let him catch me. I force myself up, ignoring my burning muscles and the lingering pain shooting through my body.

I push forward, the sounds of his footsteps sloshing through the mud sends me into a panic. My drenched clothes weigh me down with each step as I struggle to keep moving.

Another burst of electricity surges through my body, causing me to cry out in agony.

"Justice!" his voice is louder now, taunting. "Are you still running, my love?"

I groan as I claw desperately at the muddy ground. Rain lashes at my face, blinding me as I roll over and reach out with trembling hands. My fingers curl around a thick branch and I use it to pull myself forward, every muscle burns with exhaustion, but I refuse to give up.

Wind howls through the forest. A crack of lightning pierces the sky before rumbling thunder fills the air.

I run, even knowing I'll never be free from this torment, I can't force myself to stop.

When another crack of lightning lights up the sky, I catch a fleeting glimpse of the rushing river, but seconds later, my legs give way as my body violently convulses.

A violent bolt of electricity surges through me, this time, the collar is on its highest setting, and as I land on the wet ground just meters from the river, I blink against the storm.

His face comes into view seconds before I lose consciousness.