Page 2 of Nowhere to Hide

Oh, hey that’s me—the idiot female.

Cripes, I knew better. My blood pounded in my ears. Whatever light buzz I’d had dissipated in the rush of awareness. I’d lived in New York City and Albany throughout the last twelve years. I was usually more aware of my surroundings. The safe touristy vibe of Salem had left me far too complacent.

I scooted between two boats that were dry docked along the back of the wharf and nearly tripped over a pail of something.

Death by varnish? Fuck me.

My heart pounded in my ears and the once soothing sounds of slapping water on boats now echoed around and under me.

I paused, listening for the footfalls.

Maybe I’d just freaked myself out.

I backed up farther into the darkness, tucking the bright white of my dress behind me. The old-fashioned gas lamp lights staggered along the pier would make me glow like a neon light. I strained my ears for the footsteps, letting minutes crawl by.

Feeling like a fool, I crept forward to get my bearings. I’d wandered all the way down to the ferry launch area. I could see the park benches that lined the boardwalk from here. It was toolate for any of the shops and ticket booths to be open. Was it better to be in the open or head back toward the hotel?

I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

Salem was touristy in the fall months, but in late June? Not so much. But there was no end to the interest in the witchy lore, especially for Solstice. However, that concentration of people would be in the cemeteries and newly renovated jail in the heart of the city. Here, on the docks—I was easy pickings.

Idiot.

I knew better.

When I opened my eyes a tall, shadowed figure stood at the mouth of the space between the boats. A nearby lamp highlighted a cheekbone so high it leaned toward gaunt, but his eyes were a dark void of shadows. His wide shoulders belied the sharp features, and danger rocketed through my bloodstream like a drug.

My heart raced and my breath stalled at the same time. My gaze darted around, looking for an escape.

Run?

Hide?

Fight-or-flight snapped in my brain like two junkyard dogs over a steak.

His fingers thrummed against his thigh, jet black gloves disappearing into darkness as he stepped forward.

Finally, the flight part of my brain kicked in. I scrambled back, tripping over the pail heavy with liquid. It didn’t budge, knocking me backward. My hands hit the pier first and I rolled so I didn’t snap my wrist. One of the few memories from a self-defense class dented the fog of fear.

The man kept coming—slowly.

My elbow scraped against a ragged edge of a board, but I used the quick flash of pain to push through the panic. My ankle rolled as I got to my feet and I went down again, this time I hitmy hip hard. I cried out and took a second to check on the man. He’d come to a stop, a few feet from me.

The fingers thrummed again, a faint bit of light showed the length of his fingers before he tightened them into a fist. My dress caught on a knot in the wood, tearing as I wrenched it free, and finally got to my feet. He kept walking—steady and menacing.

“If you think this is a game, you’re sick!” I screamed. I quickly glanced around but we were very much alone. I darted around the sharp edges of an engine propeller at the back of the boat. I barely felt the blade scrape along my upper arm as I dropped my purse.

It popped open. I grabbed for it, but the keys fell out and jammed between two slats of wood. I tried to pull it free, but the keychain wedged itself between the planks. I stumbled back, my nail ripping away as the keys stayed lodged.

He kept coming, all shadows and silence.

A sob broke free as I scrambled to my feet and darted out onto the main pier, so I had somewhere to run. Surely there had to be someone around with all these boats.

Should I jump in the water?

I was a strong swimmer, but the water was inky dark. God knew what else was in there. It couldn’t be as bad as the threat on two legs. I ducked under one of the railings and darted down one of the gangways that led to the boat launches.

Maybe I could at least find people partying or something.