Page 3 of Freaks Of Nature

I’ve only been working at the diner for a little over a week, but even before my encounter the other night, I’ve been getting the sense someone is watching me.

That’s what I get for moving out here, I guess. I could’ve settled for a cozy life in a small town, full of dull friends and a husband who considered doing it with the lights on kinky.

But that wasn’t for me anymore. Four years were enough. I needed more excitement in my life.

So that’s what I got. A clean start in a new city, no friends, and no safety net.

It’s a thrill to be on my own. My job at the diner is only temporary. I have a degree in communications, and I’ve applied for a few positions, but I need something to keep me afloat for now.

My shoes crunch on the ground. The hairs on my arms raise, and I instinctively perk my ears as my breathing shallows to take in my surroundings better.

I’m scared.

I admit I hate walking alone at this hour. It’s the only time I miss my boring little home town.

A snapping sound at my back makes me jolt around. I expect a guy with a knife to jump out at me. In this city, you never know; crime is high. I remember the news report about the body of a woman being found in an alley a couple of weeks ago, strangled. I don’t want to be next.

I stare down the pitch black tunnel, a cold hand of fear tightening around my throat. But there’s no one there.

I expel a breath and spin back around to continue my walk home—

My feet freeze mid step.

Straight ahead of me at the other end of the alley looms a guy in a bright, neon blue purge mask; the one that has the glowing Xs for eyes and a wide stitched grin.

At least I think it’s a guy.

He towers at over six feet, and despite his dark hoodie, I can tell he’s athletic. He has wide shoulders and strong legs that end in black combat boots.

It’shim.

Hands buried in the front pocket of his hoodie, he cocks his head to the side as I stare at him unblinkingly.

I’m utterly terrified. Is he the one who’s been watching me all along?

I don’t wait for him to make a move. I whip around and set off in a dead run down the dark alley.

I can hear sprinting sounds, but I don’t know whether it’s his or my own, and I’m too scared to look back. Steps echo off the brick walls as if he’s closing in on me from all directions.

I don’t slow until I reach the end of the alley. I veer left as fast as I can, and push more speed from my legs. I can’t feel them over the adrenaline. Blood rushes in my ears and the drum of my heartbeat pounds behind my ribs—

I shriek.

My hands fly up, and I skid to an abrupt stop when a pair of boots land with a heavythudnot three feet in front of me to cut off my escape.

How the hell?

I’m face to face with him now, paralyzed by his sheer presence. There’s something about him that dominates me without so much as a touch.

And I know I was right. There’s a wall of muscle under that black hoodie.

He dips his head, hovering an inch from mine, and I swear I can feel him smile—a cruel, maniacal smile.

A prickle skips down my spine. I swallow, and my eyes rake over his mask before I’m able to recover my senses.

My feet are already back in motion. I make a 180, trying my luck in the opposite direction.

My lungs burn. Breaths burst out of me as I force more oxygen down and turn another corner—