Delicious - Page 10

Easily, even. The door swings inward, causing me to stagger at the surprise of it. I’d expected to be barred in, at the very least, and then I’d have to move onto the windows.

But…hadn’t he told me when we talked that I could go outside if I wanted to? Which, admittedly, I’d thought was a lie. After all, what murderer lets their soon-to-be victim just wanderaround? Especially outdoors, where my plan is to find my way to the nearest road by following the driveway, flagging down a car, and getting the hell out of here before going to the police and convincing them I’m not crazy.

Except, when I look out at the gravel parking area, my stomach sinks and I rock back on my heels in dismay.

There are two narrow gravel roads that lead away from the house; in opposite directions. The trees are so thick that I can’t see signs of civilization, houses, or anythingbutforest on the path of either of them, no matter how much I squint or wander the small parking area.

I also can’t help but wonder where my car is, since she isn’t here. God, I hope he hadn’t left it at the preserve to get towed, though I suppose that’s the most reasonable course of action.

But maybe if he did, someone will realize I’m missing.

He’d been right that no one knows I’m gone. Or, honestly, cares that much. My step-mother rarely calls or texts and never expects me to respond. Because of that, I’m low-contact with my dad as well. They won’t suspect anything until Christmas, and that’s almost eight months from now.

By that time, I doubt I’ll be here anymore.

“Pick a direction, Saylor,” I mutter to myself, looking from one path to the other. “You’ve gotta pick something before he gets back.” Since there’s a large Jeep here, locked of course, I’m sure Jed can’t be far.

It’s the sound of rustling tree limbs and underbrush that kicks me into gear. I take off at a jog down one of the paths, glancing behind me as if I’m afraid Jed is going to be there, chasing me down the gravel driveway like the iconic scene out of a certain movie I refuse to name right now.

But there’s still no one there. No Jed, no dead man. No chainsaw.

And I’m determined to keep running until I find civilization, one way or the other. Come hell or high water, there’s no way in the world I’m ending up back here without an army of police, or the feds, or someone with guns who can help me get my camera and get away from here once and for all.

By the time the house comes into view, I can’t help but groan, sagging against one of the large trees that I hadknownlooked familiar when I’d seen it last.

Somehow, the road that led deeper into the woods looped me back around, though I hadn’t realized it until about five minutes ago. Even then I’d hoped I was just tired and seeing things, since I’d been walking for a good two hours and the shadows in the woods had lengthened considerably in the last twenty minutes or so.

“Fuck,” I mutter, leaning my head against the bark as well. “Fuck.” I don’t want to be here. In fact, I want to be anywhere but here, but to get somewhere else, I’m going to have to take the other road and pray.

But I can’t help my fear of the dim woods, of what could come out at night. There are more things to worry about in Ohio than serial killing, chainsaw wielding, blue-eyed maniacs with good cheekbones, after all.

There are bears. And wild dogs. And coyotes that would totally eat me, probably, given the chance.

It’s a toss up where I’ll be safer. But I doubt I can find a hiding place here, around Jed’s house, where he won’t find me until morning if he bothers to look. But still my feet take me back to his parking area, my eyes fixed on the other road even though every muscle in my body begs to stop, take a break, and find something to drink, if not something to eat as well.

But I can’t. I reallycan’t.I need to keep going, to keep?—

The noise that meets my ears makes me freeze, it’s the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel. And this isn’t an innocentsound of nature I can ignore and put off this time. It’s too close, too solid for that.

I need to run.

The sound is coming from the other side of the Jeep, and I know I probably only have a few seconds of a grace period before whoever it is comes around and sees me.

I need to run.

But God, I’m just so tired. Hiking has never been a hobby of mine, or something I would consider myself good at. My trembling, rubbing thighs are more than a testament to that. Yet somehow, from somewhere, I need to get the energy to run.Now.

Jed saunters out from behind the Jeep, his blue eyes focused on the house and not at me. But I think I make a sound. A whimper, or a gasp, because they snap my way instead, pinning me in place.

He’s covered in blood. My mind churns, fingers going cold as my palms start to sweat. I feel cold all over seconds later, as my gaze drops to his hand, where he’s holding the same chainsaw from before.

And worse still, it’s just as bloody as the rest of him.

He’s going to kill me.

And I’m pretty sure I’m too exhausted to do anything but stumble and wait for the end.

“I see you’ve been out enjoying the woods.” Jed’s words are mild, and a small smile hitches on his face. “Find anything good out there?”