AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod in reply, glancing at him. “It’s probably because we didn’t ring the cops when we found her.” I sigh, rubbing my temples. “We were both too desperate to get her to the hospital.”
The sound of footsteps approaching draws my attention, and I whip my head around to see a doctor approaching us. My heart pounds in my chest as I search his face for any hint of what’s to come.
“Miss Montgomery?” he addresses me.
I nod, my mouth suddenly dry, unable to form words.
“Your friend is stable, but she’s suffered a concussion,” he says, his voice gentle. “She’s awake and coherent, but we’ll keep her overnight to monitor her.”
Relief floods me at the doctor’s words, lifting a weight from my chest. Charlotte is alive and stable. It’s the best news I could’ve hoped for in this nightmare.
“Can we see her?” I ask, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope.
The doctor nods, a small smile on his face. “Of course. She’s been asking for you. Remember that she needs rest, so try not to stay too long.”
Dan and I follow the doctor down the hallway, our footsteps echoing off the linoleum floor. My heart races as we approach Charlotte’s room.
Will she blame me for what happened?
As we step into the room, my eyes immediately find Charlotte’s form on the bed. Her usually vibrant face is pale, and a bandage is wrapped around her head, but her eyes light up when she sees us.
“Aurora! Dan!” she exclaims, her voice weak but filled with genuine happiness. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I rush to her bedside, tears streaming down my face as I take her hand in mine. “Charlotte, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
She squeezes my hand, shaking her head slightly. “Don’t be silly. You couldn’t have known this would happen. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Dan joins us, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We were so worried about you. How are you feeling?”
Charlotte manages a small smile. “Like I got hit by a truck, but I’ll be fine. The doctors say I just need some rest.”
The relief I feel at seeing Charlotte awake and talking is short-lived. Her expression shifts to one of unease. She gives me a funny look, her brows furrowing in concern.
“What is it?” I ask.
Charlotte hesitates for a moment, her eyes darting between Dan and me. “The man who attacked me wore a mask like the ones the guys wear at the carnival… and he said something before I passed out.”
My heart skips a beat, and I lean in closer. “What did he say?”
She takes a deep breath, her hand trembling slightly in mine. “He said, Tell Aurora I’m coming for her. She can’t hide from me.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Dan’s grip on my shoulder tightens.
I stare at Charlotte, my heart pounding as her words sink in. The man who attacked her, the one who’s been stalking me, is coming for me. He knows where I am and won’t stop until he has me. In what capacity, I don’t know.
All I should feel is terror. I should shake with fear, beg for police protection, and run as far away from this town as possible. But a part of me feels a thrill at his words, a dark excitement that I can’t quite explain.
“He’s coming for me,” I whisper to myself.
Dan’s eyes widen. “Aurora, this isn’t a game. You need to take this seriously. We need to call Officer Isley and tell him what the guy said. They can get you somewhere safe.”
But even as he speaks, I can feel a heat building inside me, a perverse desire I know I shouldn’t feel. The thought of this man, this dark and dangerous stranger, pursuing me with such single-minded focus excites me.
It’s wrong. I should be disgusted with myself for even entertaining these thoughts. But I can’t help it. Something about the idea of being hunted, of being prey to this predator, ignites a fire in my veins.
Charlotte watches me, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. “Aurora, what’s going on in that head of yours? You look like you’re a million miles away.”
“I’m sorry, I just... I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
