Page 28 of Poisoned Pawns (The Gamemakers Trilogy #1)

Ivy-Masked Men & Blood

Sweat drips down my spine as I continue to run through the wet sand along the shoreline of the lake.

Fear ripples through my chest as this person chases me—taunting me along the way.

The cool night air whips across my face, causing my eyes to tear.

My foot sinks into a hole and I yell out as I fall to my knees.

But I get up quickly, not wanting to be caught.

Turning my head, I see a dark figure—is that—a mask?

The same mask from my dreams? I scream as I push through, hoping I didn't get played tonight, and finally the metal fence comes into view.

Relief swims in my chest, but as I reach my destination, a hand grabs my shoulder, spinning me around, and shoving me so hard I fly into the dark, cold, murky water.

My head bounces off the rocky bottom as I come up gasping for air, but strong hands submerge my chest deeper into the water.

I thrash against the sand, hoping to connect with a body part, but I don’t.

He just holds me under the water as I sink my nails into his hands, trying to pull him off of me.

My chest burns the longer he holds me down, not allowing me to take a breath.

Is this how I die? Just as I think my lungs are going to cave in, he lifts me, tossing me onto the dry sand.

I cough, gasping for air I thought I would never get.

“Are you terrified yet?” he asks, his voice sounding so familiar but I can’t figure out how I know it.

“Fuck you!” I heave, and he laughs.

“With pleasure!” he says, gripping my hands and forcing them above my head as he kneels between my legs, pulling my leggings off.

I kick and thrash in his hold, but he uses his thighs to hold me still.

Tears spill from my face at the realization of what’s going to happen next.

Another set of footsteps crunch along the sand, and I scream.

“Please help me. Don’t let him do this!” I beg as he gets closer, wearing the same mask as the man undoing his pants. I feel his warm cock slapping against my bare pussy, and I scream again.

“No! Get the fuck off of me!” I turn my head to see the second man looking at the other one, then back at me with his head tilted. He bends down, taking out a knife. The metal shimmers in the moonlight, and my eyes widen as I shake my head.

“Please, no!” I say as he brings his finger up to the lips of the mask, telling me to be quiet.

My eyes widen in surprise as he takes the knife, twirls it in his hand before sending the blade into the man's neck.

Warm blood sprays all over my legs and chest as he releases my hands, bringing his own up to his neck while choking.

His eyes widen under the mask as the other man rips the handle out, handing it to me.

He nods at me to take it, then looks back at the guy. Never saying a single word.

Taking the knife with shaky hands, I hold it, feeling the weight of the weapon, and before I realize what I’m doing, I send the blade into his chest. Then, I rip it out and slam it up into his chin, twisting.

The feeling of his tendons snapping as he chokes sends blood spraying against my face as more warmth coats my fingers.

I smile sinisterly as I watch the life drain from his eyes.

Turning to the other man, I see his head tilted, his eyes fixated on me, watching my every move.

Removing the blade from the idiot's chin, he falls to the side, and I hand it to the other guy, nodding in thanks before grabbing my wet, sandy leggings, trying to put them back on. After a few moments, I finally don’t feel so vulnerable with my pants back on.

I look down at the dead masked man, not feeling a single ounce of remorse.

I bend down to lift the mask from his face, but a gentle hand on my shoulder stops me, causing me to jump.

Looking over my shoulder at him, he shakes his head and points in the direction I just ran from. Taking that as my cue to go, I don’t think I just run as fast as my legs will take me. It feels like forever until I reach the fucking car, but extremely grateful that I made it back in one piece.

Pulling open the door, I get in, remove the backpack full of sand, place it on the seat next to me, and speed out of here like a demon on wheels.

What the fuck just happened? Holy fucking shit!

As I drive out of the woods and back onto the road, I take a deep breath, finally seeing glimpses of blood all over my hands and face, just like the night in the tree house.

My phone vibrates in the cup holder, scaring the fucking shit out of me.

I reach for it and see numerous messages waiting for me, but the one that has me swiping furiously is the one with the red skull and an X.

Unknown:

That wasn’t a part of your task but good job, Little Killer. Way to really sink your teeth into it. You have made it to the next level. Dump the car where you found it! I’ll see you soon.

My heart skips a beat that I made it to the next round, but fuck!

This game is ruthless. I really want to know who the fuck I killed, and who that was behind the mask that helped me.

I knew that wasn’t a part of the game, but now I have so many questions.

If that wasn’t my task, then why the fuck were they there?

How did they know where I would be? Was I their task?

How many people are playing this? Jesus, so many fucking questions.

I’m so deep in my head that I don’t realize I’m already pulling into the parking lot of the university.

The swim meet has been over for a while and the lot is almost empty.

Parking in the same spot I was in. I shut off the car and sit for a moment, trying to center myself.

How the fuck can I leave this car looking the way I do and not raise any suspicions?

Looking around the car, I find a bottle of water.

Removing the cap, I open the door and pour it over my hands, watching the red liquid spill against the concrete.

Then I get out and splash some on my face, using my black shirt to wipe it off.

Bending down, I look in the mirror and see that I got most of it off, but it will have to do for now.

Grabbing my phone, I put the backpack where I found it, along with the keys in the glove box, and shut the door.

I walk through the parking lot and head back to the sorority, praying I don’t run into anyone, but soft moans greet my ears, and just beyond the trees, I see two figures, and my eyes widen.

Being the curious idiot I am, I can’t help but walk closer as the moans get louder.

The closer I get, the more turned on I am.

Stepping onto the grass, I finally see who it is and holy shit, I can’t stop watching.

Desmond is leaning against a tree, gripping the back of Pierce’s head as he gets his cock sucked.

Holy fuck. I don’t know whether to stand here and watch or fucking join them.

Shifting on my feet, a leaf crunches, and Desmond’s head whips towards me.

My eyes widen at being caught, but the smirk he wears tells me everything I need to know as he gestures for me to come closer.

I just hope they don’t notice the blood or ask why I’m soaked, because there is no way I’m saying no to this.