by Belle Brooks
I have to run. I need to run back into the bushland. I know if I tell myself I can do this, then I will. And if my horror keeps escalating like I know it will, then it will aid my body in finding a form of hysterical numbness.
Sprint. Don’t look back. Keep going. Stop for nothing.
I rise like a mummy returning from the dead. Arms outstretched and slow. I find myself in a trance-like state as I face the open door I entered through. With slight hesitation, I rotate my head as slowly as I rose until I’m looking out of the back windscreen into the thick black of the night.
I squint my eyes shut the moment the light beams into them … shielding them with my hand simultaneously. The light dulls and after I blink excessively, I see the red letters in what I believe to be lipstick, written there. They are backwards, yet it takes no time to decipher them correctly in my mind.
Who am I?
I move my mouth toward the glass. I blow air against the surface until the heat of my breath creates a fogged area. With my fingertip, I write, R E I D.
I see the Wolf standing close, the light turned against his masked face as he shakes his head. He’s lips are moving and I don’t dare look away until he mouths. “Wrong answer.”
I drop my head as I slide my bottom over the seating, and before my legs dangle at the opening, he’s there.
“Don’t hurt me,” is all I say as he grabs my shoulders. We struggle. I fight as if I’m in a battle with a hungry wolf who is determined to feed from me. My hands flail. I’m scratching, tugging and slapping him. He’s strong. Overpowering.
My hair is looped around his hand as he tugs my head backwards in one pull. The strain on my neck as my chin points to the sky makes it hard to swallow. I don’t whimper or cry out because I can’t. I can barely breathe. I’m turned in a circle on my arse from his grip, and can no longer see him. With one forceful grunt vibrating from his throat, I find myself pounding hard into the ground.
He’s dragging me. I’m kicking my legs, twisting at my waist. I couldn’t give a shit if he rips all my hair out due to me flailing about, because at least I’d have a chance to escape if he did. His grip remains tight and he doesn’t slow down his caveman style walk; instead he quickens it. By the time he’s jogging, my eyes and mind have become fuzzy, and the wounded screams I manage to finally achieve pierce the night air. By the time he is running, I close my eyes and succumb to the pain. I let the fuzziness sweep me away until I feel no more pain, no more fear, nothing … I submit to the harsh darkness.
Thirty Days Triology
Thirty Days: Part One
Thirty days: Part Two
Finding the Magician
Standalones
Always You
Winner
The Game of Life Series
One Fear
A massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to: Kylee Harris, Liz Lovelock, Kirsty Roworth, Caroline Dayas, Jakarra Adams, Natalya Bryan, Shaelene Adams, Donna Martin (AUS) and Emma Banter. I love you guys.
A massive thank you to: Abrianna Marchesotti, Alicia Huxtable, Alicia Rachels Turner, Amanda Anzellino, Amanda Beth Wong, Amanda Kay, Amanda Williams Brown, Amber Lackey, Amy Adrian Kehl, Amy Kaneff Rudolph, Amy McCoy Crull, Angela Marie, Angie Adams, Angie Cauffman Voss, Ann Mickan, Anna Watson, Anne Spencer, Annette M Soullier Kraft, Annette Serna Laird, April Beep, Ashley Allison, Ashley Blake Christensen, Ashley Haines, Ashley Mills, Ashley Olson Guzman, Ashley Spencer, Barbara Harrison, Becky Dodson, Becky Townsend (Townsy), Bobbie Wood, Brandi Elliott, Brandi Zelenka, Brianne Culliton, Candace Dowds, Carissa Janes, Carlyn Greulich-Garnett, Carrie Youngcourt, Caryn Watson, Casey Allen, Cashelmara Suthers Steffens, Caz Cori, Cecilia Thurber-Lillard, Chantelle Wolfle, Charlotte Day, Charlotte Isaac, Chasidy Renee, Cheryl Riddell, Christina Balaz, Christina Sharp, Christine Valentukonis Geier, Christine Runkel, Cindy Honig-Fong, C. J. Welles, Clara Atkinson, Clare Roden, Colleen Lee, Connie Greenwood, Crystal Jimenez, Crystal Wilke, Crystal-Marie Barnhart, Cynthia Jenkins-Dieter, Danielle Behler, Dave Maher, Dawn Muter Foster, Dawn Rivera, Deborah Secrest, Diana Laura, Diane Boyle-Mather, Diane Cunningham, Diz Norman, Donna Martin (USA), Donna Blankenship, Edith Dunning, Emily Guido, Erika Moore, Ewelina Rutyna, Felicia Rocci Scammell, Felicia Skvarna, Fran Zoch, Gemma Mia, Gill Melling, Gretchen Boone Tubbs, Gretchen Kelle Anderson, Halle Rogers, Hanan Abskharon, Heather Crane, Heather Witherell, Ray, Heidi Sturgess, Helen Neale, Jackie Ruffner, Jaime Gambrill, Jaime Jones, Jamie buck, Jamie Lynn Mayfield-Cowan, Jamie McDowell Reinhardt, Jamie Single, Jane Hall, Janneke Wolbers, Jayne Wheatley, Jen Beams, Jenn Campos, Jenn LaMarr, Jennie Marie, Jennifer Dietz – Smith, Jennifer Kennessey, Jess Rockhold, Jessa Jones, Jessica Godfrey, Jessica McCane, Jessica Mintzmyer, Jessica Owens, Jessica Young, Jo Powers, Jo-Ann Forrest, JoDena Pysher, Jodi L Perry, Jody Norton, JoJo Reeves, Joyce Sharp, Kaila Karg, Karen Bill, Karen Harris, Kat T Mason, Katelyn Peters, Kathleen Spiers, Kathy Jones Bargiacchi, Katrina Miller, Kathy Atwell, Katy Battisti, Kay Ellis Bernales, Kayleen McSwank, Kelli Rush, Kim Christensen Byrd, Kim Ginsberg, Kimberly Miller, Krista Ricchi, Laura Button, Lauren Campbell, Leanne Rogers, Lee Belt Wells, Leddie DeMolle Gaines, Lee Lee, Lexxie Lin, Lindsey Kramer, Lisa Limauge, Liv Moore, Lori Hoffman, Lorna Bishop, Lucy Luu, Lylian Aguiar, Lyndsee Copple, Lynne Hill, Maari Hammond, Mackenzie Wainwright, Maggie Jane Schuler, Mande Duoto, Marcia Mason-Heastan, Margaret McHeyzer, Margaret Neal, Margie Potter, Marnie Jury, Mary Snow, Megan Hayes, Megan Hill, Megan Wykle, Melissa Bader-Dunn, Melissa Reno, Melissa Rock, Melody Anisko, Michele Barnette, Michelle Drury, Michelle Field, Michelle Lyell, Michelle Sandrk, Mistee J Lemaster, Nadine Kilian, Naida Mae, Nancy Freedman, Nancy Franco, Nancy Jefferson, Nese Cimener, Nethalia Nathalia Best, Nicola Chiappinelli, Niki Gooch, Nikki Wilson, Nina Miller Priddy, Ofa T Booklover, Patrice Simon, Paula Phillips, Pauline Cassie, Penelope Rigby-Meth, Phyl Drollett, Rachael Bromley, Rachel Goodrich Schneider, Rachel Spencer, Rachelle Brown, Rebecca Barber, Rebecca Gaile Bare, Rhiannon Dewaide, Rhonda L Adels, Rhonda Lind, Rhonda Tactor, Robin Yatsko, Robyn Corcoran, Rose Holub, Sabrina Gabriel, Samantha Bainrot, Sarah Pilcher, Sarah Polglaze, Sarah Renea, Scottie Mohler, Sharee Elizabeth Thomas, Serena Worker, Shalyn Williams, Shannon Cash-Russell, Shannon Davison, Shannon Godwin, Shay Bell, Sheena Renee, Sheena Taylor, Sherri Stovall, Sherry Haynes, Siobhain Perez, Sky Meade, Sloane Howell, Stacy Franklin, Stephanie Schafer, Stina Andersen, Sue Paulsen, Tacie Himelright, Tammy Coffey, Tammy McKeon Wenzel, Tanya King, Tanya Leigh, Tara Greseth, Teena Bitleris Johnson, Teresa Guthrie Lara, Teri Hicks, Teri Stallone, Tiffany Mwandia, Tina Marie Clark, Tracey Davis Zelukovic, Tracy Ehlers,Tracey Wilson-Vuolo, Trish Miles, V Lieddiette E Thomas, Valerie Adams, Vanessa Reyes, Vee Townsend, Vicki Cooke, Vickie Crawley, Vickie Weiss, Vicky Hudson, Victoria Carter, Yericka Avilés and so many more. I’m sure I’ve missed some of you, and I’m so sorry if I have. You guys are awesome.
To the Tinkerbelles—you’re an amazing bunch of people who light up my life and keep me smiling. I love ya faces xx
To my husband, Michael, whom I love dearly. It’s always been you, baby.
To my beautiful children, the keepers of my soul. I love you to the moon and back.
To my wonderful team of talented and creative people, Karen Harper, Jaye Cox, and Tracey Soxie Weston. You ladies have a talent beyond belief, and I’m so grateful to share this journey with you.
Lastly, I’d like to thank everybody who has helped to promote my work—all the bloggers, Enticing Journey Book Promotions for a wonderful promotional campaign, and all the readers. Without the readers, there’d be no purpose for these stories.
My dreams are coming true, and it’s all because of you.
Thank you.
Belle Brooks xx
Belle Brooks is a former business manager, wife, and mother of three, living in Queensland, Australia. For as long as she can remember, writing has been a major part of her life, bringing her peace and comfort in the arms of her fictional characters. Never planning to have her work published, she focused her attention on
her career and family. That is until she finally found the courage to allow her words to become public for others to enjoy, due mainly to the encouragement and support of those who love her. Two Footsteps, is her Seventh publication.
Website:
www.bellebrooksauthor.com
Facebook Page:
Facebook Profile
Goodreads
Instagram
@bbrooksauthor
Twitter
@Bellebrooks16