Page 182 of Cruel Steps

It was useless.

My words fell on deaf ears as Wolfie carried me under the stadium. We were in a deserted area cast in darkness, and the stadium noise was a dull roar now. My screams turned to sobs the further we went, and I hated myself for breaking down.

“Please. Just let me go,” I whimpered, dropping one of my poms. An idea struck, and I tore off strands, letting them flutter to the ground every few steps. It was probably too late since we were already so far into the stadium, but I had to try.

I wouldn’t give up.

A loud creak sounded before Wolfie ducked, and I tossed the last pom, praying Wolfie didn’t see it. They turned a few steps later, and I caught the sight of a room before a door shut, a bolt sliding into place. Wolfie walked further into the room and dumped me onto a dirty mattress. I wiped my eyes and scooted the furthest back I could while ignoring the stains under me. I could only deal with one scary thing at a time.

“People will be looking for me,” I cried, my lip wobbling. Wolfie stared at me, tilting their head. It was creepy in a way it shouldn’t be. They dropped the paws, revealing masculine hands. It matched what I’d been too scared to admit to myself from their build and the way they’d carried me through the stadium. Once the paws were free, they lifted the head and brought it down.

The man who’d haunted my nightmares stared back at me, sending chills over my body. Dark eyes trailed over my body, so I covered myself, not wanting any part of me to be seen by him.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this moment, Princess. You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

“I’m not your princess.”

He sighed and hung his head. “I’d hoped we wouldn’t have to do this the hard way, but I see they’ve brainwashed you more than I realized. I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long. It took me a while to find you.” He lunged for me, grabbed my leg, and pulled me to the edge of the bed.

I kicked and screamed, but he was stronger, and had me under him before I could fight back. He pressed his body into mine, and I bucked up, hitting our heads together. Everything blurred for a second, but I took the opportunity to roll away and scramble across the floor. My eyes searched for something I could use as a weapon. The room was filled with odds and ends: a kerosene heater, a saucepan, bottled water, and canned goods lined one wall. A janitor bucket, a suitcase with clothes spilling out, and a wall of photos filled the rest of the space.

Was he living here? Was that how he’d evaded the police? And were those photos of me?

I peered closer and covered my mouth at what I saw. Fear engulfed me and froze me to the spot. There were so many. How long had this been going on?

He grunted, and my head whipped back to the bed. I reached behind me and grabbed a can of beans. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but if I could get to the door, I might be able to make it.

“Stay back!” I shouted.

“Quit lying, Princess! You love me. We can finally be together.”

“I don’t know you! I definitely don’t love you.”

“You’ll change your mind once we’re married.”

“I’ll never marry you!”

He moved over to the suitcase and shoved the clothes in. I spotted a few of my clothes, things that had gone missing. I’d assumed someone from the Wolfettes had been taking them. How many things had I ignored?

I had to get out of here.

If he made it out with me, my odds of surviving were abysmal. I couldn’t give up. I just had to hold out long enough for someone to notice I was missing. The game had to be over by now. Colter and Holden would come for me. I believed that. They would.

Hardening my resolve, I climbed to my feet and picked up another can. His back was to me, but he was too close to the door. I needed to draw him away.

“Owen. Wait, is it okay if I call you that?”

He stopped, his frantic movements slowing as he zipped the suitcase and turned around. I hid the cans behind my back, balancing on the balls of my feet as I waited for the right moment. I’d only have a small window.

“You can call me whatever you want, Princess.”

“We’re getting married?” My words stumbled, but I straightened my back. Holden and Colter needed me to be strong. I had to survive this. There was too much life still left to live with them.

“I knew you’d want to. I’ve been planning it for years.” His eyes brightened, the mania more evident as I played into his delusion. He took a step closer, and I shuffled to the left more. I just needed to keep herding him away from the door.

“Where are we going?”

“Venezuela. You’re going to love it there. Beaches and sun, and best of all, no one will be able to find us.”