Page 62 of The Lies We Steal

Pissed of bull shark?

Vengeful human?

I’m facing the direction of the sound, slowly beginning to back up, measuring my distance by where the water sits on my waist. The farther I move back, the less water that pools around my stomach, meaning I’m headed towards the shallow end.

If it’s an animal, I’m done for. They can see me in this darkness. They can feel my slight movements. My heart racing.

But if it’s a human. One with a vendetta, then I have a chance because they can’t see me anymore than I can see them.

There was only one splash, meaning there was only one of them in here with me. But the other three could very well be waiting around all my exits waiting for me to make a move.

I hear the water ripple in front of me, a few feet away maybe if my senses are good. Another ripple, then another, like it’s moving towards me just as slowly as I’m moving back. Both of us careful about contrasting reasons.

Me, wanting to get out of this pool with minimal damage and as quietly as possible in the hopes they don’t even notice I’ve left.

Them, not wanting to spook me so that I don’t run, so that I don’t escape.

The water is suddenly cold. Ice cold. How I imagine Alaskan waters run in the dead of winter. Little bumps riddle my thighs, my arms, my bottom lip trembling. I’d never wanted out of the water before. Not like I did right now.

My back lands against the side of the pool, relief flooding my soul. Lifting my arms, I press my palms into the slate ground, heaving myself up backwards ready to grab my stuff and sprint out of here.

But I get further in my head, then in real life.

Hands, human hands wrench onto my hips, tugging me back into the water with no sympathy. I slide right back into the pool, as if I’d never left it. My lungs fill with a mighty scream, opening my mouth to yell for help only to have it covered by their palm.

“Quite now, Briar. Wouldn’t want anyone to know you’re breaking into places you shouldn’t be after campus curfew.”

That voice. Those hands. This feeling.

Loathing, vile hatred simmers in my veins. The fact he’s gotten me into the position again, that his hands have a hold on me and my body is eating it up. Frothing at the mouth, wondering what he will do next, like a naive little girl. He pins me to the wall, easily with one hand on my hip.

I feel his rough, soaked jeans rub against my naked thighs, his soft shirt sticking to my exposed arms. Who jumps in a pool with clothes on?

I tear my mouth away from his grip, “I think murder would take priority over breaking into a swimming pool, don’t you, Alistair?”

I can’t see him, only the obscure outline of his shape. The brawny shoulders, the way his head tilts in amusement at my response and I know without needing to see, there is a fatal smirk setting on his lips.

Rocks, massive rocks weigh down my chest. Every breath hurts when I’m near him. He takes all the oxygen. Leaving me with nothing but his racy scent to inhale for fuel.

“Now why would you go running your mouth about something that doesn’t involve you? I thought we were starting to become friends.” He chides, with an underlying threat, making me nauseous. Making me dizzy.

I feel his thumb graze my revealed stomach, little shocks cascade through my belly. I ignore his questions completely. He doesn’t deserve an answer.

“You come alone? Or did you bring your pets to help you take down little ol’ me?”

Nerve struck because I feel his thumb dig into my skin, rugged and demanding. Making me gulp in pain. All his big red buttons, the ones I’m not supposed to mess with, surround his friends. You can attack him, but the second you turn your attention to his shit minions, he’s ready to pounce.

I attempt to jerk out of his grip, only to be rewarded with a slam back in place. My back drilling into the side of the pool.

“Cockroaches. A bit juvenile, even for a bum like you.”

“Clothes on in the pool. A bit insecure, even for a guy with a small dick.”

He laughs, deep and rich like dark chocolate cake. Bitter at first, but it gradually melts on your tongue turning sugary and sticky. My favorite type of chocolate.

My body shakes in his hands, once again my brain is at war with the rest of me. Endorphins fill me, tingling my thighs, sweeping across my core. I swallow my bile, holding my chin out, even though he can’t see it.

The hand not on my body, begins to run along my shoulder, just his fingertips ghosting over my silhouette. Seeing me with his hands.