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God.

That look.

The one that made me want to run and stay at the same time.

Heat swept through me.

Sharp.

Electric.

Every instinct screamed to move. Every other instinct wanted him to catch me. I rose from the chair. Glanced at the door for a second too long.

“You want to run now, little one?”

I froze.

Turned back.

His smile deepened.

“It’s a little late for that.”

My pulse spiked.

Silence.

Then quietly⁠—

“Go.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Run.”

I stared at him.

“You have twenty seconds.”

I sucked in a hard breath. He just stood there… waiting.

I took a step toward the door. He didn’t move. Not even a turn of his head.

“Nineteen.”

I flinched.

“Eighteen.” He said slowly.

Oh… my… God.

I stumbled toward the door. My leg dragging.

“Seventeen.”

His voice carried along the hall. I couldn’t outrun him. Not the way that man moved. He’d track me in an instant. That I knew. But I could hide.

My lips curled. Where? Where would he not look?