Page 40 of Freaks Of Nature

I have something fun planned.

The thrill of the anticipation is the sweetest part. The inevitable release is only the finish line, and I want to withhold that for as long as I can. I want the chase.

Or, in this case,the hunt.

The back door of the diner opens, and I watch Emily step out, descending the stairs with a worriless bounce to her step.

She hasn’t reached out to Ash again yet. We decided to give her space, and she seems to believe she’s safe walking home on her own.

I scoff at her false sense of security. She has no clue what’s lurking in the shadows.

Without my boots making a sound, I ghost along the rooftop’s edge to stay on her tail as she starts down the dark alley. Her arms are crossed at her front like she might be regretting her decision now; she doesn’t look so confident anymore.

Perhaps she senses me after all.

Her silky black hair billows in her haste. Still in my silent pursuit, I watch her shoulders creep up her neck, her posture tense, eyes shifting nervously. She looks ready to jump out of her skin at the sound of a scurrying rat.

I want to stall and savor the moment. She’s so vulnerable right now. She has no idea how easily I can overpower her. Turn her from my prey into my victim.

She’s almost at the first corner, and my breath comes a little faster now. I clench my fists before pushing off into a sprint. I need a running start to clear the gap.

Right before the drop, I kick off the ledge and jump across the alley onto the next building, a rooftop a couple of feet below.

My landing isn’t silent. Gravel crunches beneath my boots as they go into a slide, and I know she heard it three stories down, but I don’t look over the edge to confirm. I don’t want her to see me yet.

She’s aware of me now, because I want her to be, but she doesn’t know about all the other times I followed her, stalked her home, watched her sleep. I’m sick like that. I get off on this little game and the fact that I know things she doesn’t.

I want her to be ignorant, so every time she hears a noise in her apartment or feels a breath on her neck in the dark, she’ll wonder whether it’s really me or if it’s her mind playing tricks on her.

Yes, I know things she doesn’t. I know that she doesn’t want to admit that she wishes itwasme.

My hands grip the rail of the fire escape as I fling my body over the edge, dropping quickly from level to level. Every step is second nature.

I see her head shoot up, scanning the alley ahead, but the ricocheting echo of my movements makes it hard for her to pinpoint their source. She doesn’t know where I am.

I jump the last five feet and land in a crouch on the closed dumpster behind her.

The heavy drop of my boots against the metal sounds like an explosion, and Emily whips around.

My adrenaline spikes at the sight of her. Her eyes lock onto me in shock and her face pales.

A jolt rakes through me. It settles in my thighs as more blood rushes toward my groin.

I have her now. She’s mine.

I straighten my legs, rising slowly to full height, my eyes riveted to her through the slits of the mask. Heat shoots up my neck when taking her in, and I draw a long breath as my heart starts beating faster.

I have her right where I want her. Just her and I. No one will come to her aid. No one will even hear her scream.

Her chest moves up and down rapidly as she realizes the same and begins backing up. A smile curls my lips behind the mask. I cock my head to the side in a taunt.

I reach into my back pocket, drawing my knife and flicking the switch. Pointing it at her, I say, “You better run, baby girl. You don’t want me catching you.”

Emily doesn’t disappoint. I knew she wouldn’t. She twists around and breaks out into a full sprint.

That’s my girl.

More delight rushes me. With my skin on fire, I jump down and race after her, knowing she can’t match my stride.