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You shouldn’t go out alone. He’s out there.I run my fingers through my hair to stop the voice of reason. I’m not scared of him. If he wanted to hurt me, he would have already done it.

I dash to my closet to put on my favorite hiking outfit—my hunter green leggings and a cream-colored sports bra. I also decided to throw on a cream colored pullover. The air has been cool lately, and I don’t want to catch a cold. I grab my hiking pack and stuff my wallet, keys, headphones, bear spray, and water bottle inside. While I have never encountered a bear, I don’t want to. This time of year, they are crawling all over the place. They have to stock up on enough food for the winter months, and I don’t plan on being their next meal.

Islip on my hiking boots, taking one last look around my room. Everything is locked, and I am ready to hike. I let out a deep breath before heading down to my car.

I walk down the stairs outside the front of my house, taking in a breath of the crisp air surrounding me. I make it to my car and see a piece of paper under my wiper blade. How original of him. I swiftly grab the note, rolling my eyes at the desperation.

“The innocence is intoxicating,

I feel it in my veins,

A sweetness meant for breaking,

A pleasure laced with pain.

You tremble, but you crave it—

The ruin, raw and true,

So run, or stay and taste it…

Either way, I’ll swallow you.

—D”

I crumble up the note and toss it onto the floorboard of my car. He doesn’t know what I crave. He doesn’t even know me.Or does he?Stop. He doesn’t know. He thinks he knows. I’ll never give him what he wants. I shut myself into the car and start driving to the trail. I know I shouldn’t go, but I really don’t give a fuck. He can fuck off.

* * *

The scent of pine trees swarms my senses as I continue up the mountain. The hike up is short, just an hour. I am about 45 minutes in, and I feel good. My lungs are slightly burning from the exercise, but it’s a good kind of burn. My headphones are on playing “That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams. They have a feature that pauses the music. It uses a microphone to pick up the sounds around me, allowing me to hear everything and stay aware of my surroundings.

The path is clear of mud, as we have been lucky not to have had any rain lately, and leaves lie scattered among the dense woods. I walk for another fifteen minutes before I reach the clearing at the peak of the mountain. I walk up to the bench and take off my bag, removing my water.

I gulp the cool liquid as it soothes my burning throat. I place the water back in my bag and turn to look at the mountain. It’s beautiful. The tree tops swaying in the breeze. This is what I live for— right here in this moment. No stress. No people. Just existing without owing anyone anything.

I do some light stretching in the clearing for about 10 minutes before deciding it’s time to head back. I don’t want to be caught in the dark on the mountain. I swoop up my bag, stuffing my headphones inside so I can enjoy the quiet, and fasten it in place, turning to walk back down the path.

I hear the cracking of a stick to the right of me, startling me, and I stop to turn. I’m always careful not to run, in case it is a bear. I really should carry the bear spray in my hand while hiking. What good is it going to do me if I have to stop to fumble through my bag?

I scan the woods, but I don’t see anything unusual. I continue to walk, trying to convince myself that I am just paranoid right now. Then I hear it again. This time coming from the left. It sounded like something hit the ground. I wait a few more seconds before peeling my eyes back to the path in front of me, ensuring that I am alone.

When my eyes meet the forest in front of me, I freeze. I blink rapidly, trying to confirm that I am not hallucinating right now. The goosebumps erupt across my flesh as the impending doom creeps closer.

“You told me I’d have to catch you first.” The tone of his low, raspy voice sends a rush of heat to my core.

I take a step back, unsure of his intentions.

“It… It was a joke.” I nearly choke on the words as they jump out of my mouth.

He shakes his head slowly as he approaches. His black mask leaves no room to judge his thoughts or emotions.

“You and I both know it wasn’t a joke,” he steps closer as he continues, “You wanted me to catch you.”

“No, I didn’t,” my tone is barely audible over the rustling of the trees. I swallow the lump in my throat as pressure builds behind my eyes.

“Oh, but you did. You have been checking your phone religiously. You have been looking over your shoulder constantly, watching. Waiting for me to find you.”

The pressure behind my eyes becomes too much. I don’t know what his intentions are. I shouldn’t have come here. Why am I so fucking prideful.