8. Tinder Guy

Eight

Tinder Guy

I sat looking out the window in the library, waiting impatiently. My nails were already bitten down to the nub, and I find myself gnawing at them again. My leg bounced uncontrollably, a rhythm of anxious energy I couldn't stop. No amount of medications could take away the demons that controlled me. Outside, the world seemed to mock my restlessness. The sky was a heavy, dark gray, with thick clouds hanging low and wind rippling through the trees, their leaves rustling like whispers of secrets I couldn't hear. The usually busy street was quiet, with only the occasional car passing by, its headlights cutting through the gloom. The scene outside was dark yet mesmerizing.

A ding from my phone pulls my attention from gazing out at the creeping night. My screen is lit up with a Tinder message notification. It is him. His name on Tinder is Ghost . There is a Halloween festival in town, and I could go for something entertaining. Maybe we could fuck on a ride or in a haunted building.

* * *

Ghost : That is a valid question… The more morbid, the better. Do you wanna meet up? I could show you.

Me : I am about to head out to the festival in town. You should meet me there…

Ghost : Oh, asking me on a date? I like a strong-willed woman. Count me in. I'll see you in twenty.

Me : See you soon.

Before leaving, I scan the area to see if anyone suspicious is around me. So far, everything seems good.

* * *

As I approach the festival, the lights are bright, and the sight is pure bliss. Laughter and screams from the rides fill the air, and the scent of cotton candy and pumpkin spice fills my nostrils.

I parked my bike near a bunch of horse trailers, put my kickstand down, lay back using my helmet as a pillow, and pulled out my phone, which had a message from the Tinder guy in its notification bar. The anticipation of our encounter sends a shiver down my spine. Every move, every word, will be carefully calculated. Tonight is going to be mine. Little does this man know I will be his worst undoing yet; it could be good or bad.

After all, I am a little nightmare in my own way.

The thing about Halloween is that not many people bat an eye when someone is screaming. The spooky atmosphere, the constant pranks, and the haunted houses make it all seem like part of the fun. It's the perfect cover for anything horrible lurking in the shadows, blending in with the thrills and chills of the season.

My past shaped me into a monster that sometimes I can not contain, and my present represents every touch of darkness that has ever consumed me. Someone's life will be mine. Hopefully, it will be Marklovs and soon.

While waiting for Ghost's arrival, I heard a group of men whispering near my position. I can tell something is happening near me. I have a sixth sense for this kind of shit. I don't have the time for this when I am supposed to be waiting for his arrival any minute now. "Fuck me," I gritted through my teeth. I swallowed hard and cracked my neck.

The group of men seems to be planning something. I just can't figure out what. I need to get closer. It is dark, too dark for the naked eye to see me, especially since I am wearing all-black clothing. One of the men steps out and away from the group, and holy shit, this guy is a fuckin' giant. His arm could easily crush my head like I was nothing. He seems to be scanning the area for anyone that may be near. I found a spot at a closer distance to them. I climb on the back of an empty trailer, stealthily climbing up on top of it and low crawling to position myself closer to them.

As I lay here trying to focus my vision with the help of the moonlight, the massive fuckin' man called out "all clear" to the other guys, and I stayed hidden down low and out of sight. Zeroing in on their words as much as I can, I hear them saying something about capturing someone and I couldn't help but recognize one of the men's voices. "She will be here. I know she will. And when you see her, don't you fucking dare make a fucking scene. She is mine. I have waited too long for this, so don't fuck it up, or you're all dead."

What the actual fuck is going on? I can't make out any of their faces with how dark it is getting. The shadow effect from a singular trailer's light from a distance is no help. "Marco, you take the East side. Darian, West. Zion, you need to keep an eye on the exit points. I will be on the inside wearing my silver devil mask. If anything goes wrong, you guys know what to do."

My stomach feels so queasy, and I can't seem to understand why. Questions start scattering throughout my mind like, why is his voice so familiar? And who are they after? My mind is racing, and I can't help but assume they are here for me. The text I received earlier could be very real. Is it him? Is Marklov here to kill me and finish off the oath he screamed that night? Shit.

Every shadow feels like it's closing in, and every sound seems amplified. My thoughts are a whirlwind, and I can't shake the feeling that danger is imminent. I must stay vigilant and figure out what's happening before it's too late.

I get pulled out of my thoughts from my phone, a notification that causes me to hold on to it, minimizing the noise as much as possible. It is Ghost. For a fraction of a second, I forgot all about him. Maybe I'm overthinking about all of this. But if I'm right, tonight, hell will break loose. Ghost is here, and that's what I need to deal with right now. I can't put myself at risk, and with him meeting me here, that potentially puts him in danger.

The men look around and begin to disperse. I go down and off the trailer, running back to my bike. I pull my phone and text Ghost, telling him where to meet me and to minimize any unwanted attention to our location.

Me : Make sure no one is following you and that you're alone.

Ghost : whoa.. are you going to murder me or something…

Me : only if you're lucky enough

Ghost : don't tempt me with a good time, Little Killer.

I have no damn idea why I'm blushing at that. I can't lose focus, but something about Ghost almost makes me feel…a sense of normal. I don't need a distraction but at the same time, I do. Most of my meetups are short and done by now, and I wouldn't be caught dead with anyone I am fucking out in public.

"Hey, Little Killer," I heard a deep voice reverberate from behind me, causing me to almost jump out of my skin, making me reach for my bayonet. "Fuckin' Christ, man, you sure know how to make an appearance." While I gradually lower my knife down to spare his life. "What has got you so jumpy? Are you normally like this?" No, I am not usually like this. "You caught me off guard." I let out a little laugh.

His presence is intense, and, damn, this man is stunning. Seeing him in person is nothing like his photos. A certain darkness about him makes a big part of me want to run away, like right now. But at the same time, his presence is making my body tremble, and I can feel a throbbing deep inside me. It's like he's a magnetic force, pulling me in despite every alarm bell going off in my head. How would one dark force work with another? I guess that is something I am willing to find out.

The intensity of his gaze is overwhelming, and I can feel my resolve weakening with every passing second. "So, what do you have in mind for tonight?" I asked softly. "I was thinking maybe we could scare the shit out of some people in the maze, maybe some other extracurricular activities as well. I just so happen to have a mask. Or does that make me look fucking psycho?"

Not at all. If only he knew what darkness lives inside of me. The maze would be a great place to stay out of sight of others. "Sure, why the hell not?" I replied, my voice tinged with excitement.

Getting off my bike, I reach into my bag and pull out my mask. Revealing it, I look up at Ghost, and a smirk spreads across his face. "What? Maybe we are both psychos," I laugh out. He pulls his mask out, and as soon as I see it, my heart races. The design is perfect, almost matching mine—despite having more stressed features to it, which gives it character. Seeing his mask sends a jolt of electricity coursing through every piece of my body.

We exchange a knowing glance, both of us understanding the thrill of what we're about to do. The maze, shrouded in darkness, awaits us. "Let's do this," I say, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

The maze has a line backed up with over two dozen people. My thoughts start to take over. I know nothing about this man; he could be deeply twisted for all I know, but would I really care? I am twisted. Maybe that's what I need, and maybe two twisted souls make a goddamn masterpiece. Perhaps I need some

one's darkness to match the void within me.

I pull my mask over my face. "You look fucking stunning, I must say." he gave out in a deep voice. Oh fuck. All I can think about is tracing the snake tattoo that curls up and around his arm, up to his neck, with my tongue. "You don't look so bad yourself."Let the tricks begin, and maybe we can treat one another.