Heartless Savage by Ivy Blake

Chapter Twenty Five

Megan

Dinner had been even more awkward than usual , the truth like an unwelcome dinner guest sitting at the table with us. Mom was occupied on her phone trying to find answers for my myriad of problems when I just wanted to forget. I was glad when it was time to go to sleep. Seeing her double bolt the door, I felt bad that she was now super paranoid and on guard.

“Wake me if you hear or see anything, okay, Megan?” I nodded, said goodnight and went to my room.

The hours dragged on but I was still wide awake, listening to every single noise that was made in the house and outside my window. I’d tried to start countless movies and shows to send me to sleep but nothing had worked so I’d resorted to staring at my ceiling, willing my brain to go to sleep.

I thought about Austin and wondered what he was doing, if he’d already moved on and found someone new to harass and seduce. I’d checked my phone a countless amount of times to see if his name would appear, disappointed every time it didn’t.

As if it could hear me, my phone vibrated to notify me that I had a text. I rolled over and grabbed it, squinting at the bright light as I tried to see who was contacting me. It was an unknown number. I sat up straight and rubbed my eyes, was it my stalker? I blinked my eyes, expecting the message to disappear, but it stayed on my phone, the black text as clear as day.

I’m sure you got my little gift. I have more where those came from, some featuring some special guests ;)

Special guests? I prayed to God that he wasn’t referring to who I thought he was. Before I could text my response, it was like he was in my mind, answering the question I hadn’t even asked yet.

Yes, I’m talking about your mom and sister.

I could taste the bile in my throat. It was one thing to mess with me, but taking shit out on my family was a whole other offense. While I wanted to cuss him out and demand his identity, I realised that I had to play it safe if I wanted any chance of protecting myself and my family.

What do you want from me?

I texted back, tapping my fingers as I waited for his response. I reread his texts, trying to figure out if he sounded like anyone I knew at school.

Meet me. And come alone. If you tell anyone, I’ll make sure you regret it. Which is a shame because your family seem so nice.

I shook with anger and fear as I was met with a dangerous decision. I knew the right thing to do was wake up Mom and Lola or even text Sophie, but what if I risked it and my stalker found out?

You don’t think I’m serious do you?

A moment later, another message came through, this time it was a picture. It was dark meaning that he had taken it now, and I could tell that it was from outside my house.

I know you’re awake, Megan.

Fear gripped me like a vice as I crept to my bedroom window and peeked through the curtain. Sure enough he was standing there in his usual gear, in all black, a hood up, but this time he had a mask on his face. I squinted and swallowed hard as I realised it was the Guy Fawkes mask. How fucking cliché. He waved with the hand that was holding the phone, a creepy image that made my bones go cold. I took my phone out and sent him another text.

Do you promise to stop all this if I meet you?

I knew you weren’t supposed to make deals with bad people, but I felt like I had no choice. I had to try some way or another, even if it meant risking my life. It’s not like I really had anything to look forward to anyway. I’d probably be the laughing stock at school until the day that I graduated, and even then, stories like these followed people for the rest of their lives.

You have five minutes to get down here and find out. And remember, don’t try to outsmart me- snitches get stitches x

I didn’t even bother changing out of my pyjamas, instead tiptoeing to my closet to get a jacket and pair of boots because I knew it would be chilly outside. This was the moment I’d had nightmares about for months. I was finally meeting my stalker face to face. I was prepared for something to go wrong, but if I found out who he was and managed to stop him from exposing or hurting my family, then that’s all that mattered. I was about to leave my room when I turned back on myself.

Grabbing a piece of paper, I scribbled a message to Lola and Mom, in case they woke up and found me gone or in case something happened to me. I put it on my pillow and prayed that my stalker didn’t have super night vision, hoping that because it wasn’t a text, and it was away from the window that it was off his radar and wouldn’t count it as snitching.

I crept down the stairs as quietly as I could, pausing as I heard Mom muttering something. I waited, holding my breath like a spy in a movie before I realised that she was talking in her sleep. I checked the time on my phone, realising my time limit was almost up and walked to the door as quietly as I could, before shutting it behind me with a dull click. I could sense that he was behind me before I even turned around. I had to force myself not to scream as I turned to face him, even more freaked out by the Guy Fawkes mask up close. Something shiny caught my attention and I looked down to see that the stranger was holding a gun in his hand.

“Hi,” I whispered into the night, my breath forming a cloud in front of me. I was expecting him to say something to me, but all he did was point the gun at me and then at the road. with my hands up, I followed his silent instructions and started walking in the direction he gestured to.

I prayed that someone on the street was still awake, that someone would look out of their window and notify someone about this bizarre scene. I imagined I looked like quite a sight, still dressed in my mismatching pyjamas and outerwear, followed by a mysterious stranger who’s only notifiable trait was the mask that concealed his identity.

I focussed on putting one foot in front of the other, willing myself to keep walking, scared that my brain would kick into flight mode which I knew would cost me my life. We got to an intersection, and I looked at my captor for direction. He pointed to the left towards the forest that I never went to after dark. Everyone complained that there weren’t enough lights there and that even though the town was known for being safe, the mayor was letting everyone down by not putting more safety measures in place.

I realised that I’d stopped walking just as I reached the edge of the forest, savouring the glow from the streetlight. I was startled by the feeling of cool metal being pushed into my back. I gasped and began walking again, the gun still at my back as we entered the forest, leaving the familiarity of my safe neighbourhood, for the unknown danger that lay ahead.