Marie suddenly realized that everything was unnaturally still and silent around her. The sound of voices and vehicles had long died away.
With a start, Marie stopped and looked around.
She had been walking aimlessly for a long while and she had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t taken note of her surroundings.
Marie pivoted on her heel and blinked. Unknowingly, she had wandered out of the bustling town center and into a quiet park.
The park looked like it hadn’t been used in a while. There were rusty swings and benches in the middle of the deserted park and the shrubs and bushes looked rather wild and unwieldy.
It was clear that this old park wasn’t well looked after. Perhaps there were plans to clear the space and build some new houses or shops on the land.
Marie turned and tried to retrace her steps.
How did she end up here?
Her feet had simply moved without any clear direction from her brain. Her brain had been too preoccupied with so many conflicting thoughts that it hadn’t even registered her whereabouts.
Marie quickened her steps and her heels clicked too loudly against the cobblestones.
A large, rough hand grabbed her from behind and Marie twisted round in shock. She stared at the white-haired man in glasses and she let out a strangled cry when she saw his cruel smile.
“Ervin!” she gasped just before he clamped his hand over her mouth.
“Shhh,” Ervin whispered in her ear. “Don’t make a sound, Marie. I’ve been watching you from the shadows. There are lots of people passing through Bear Ridge, so I can slip in undetected. No one pays any attention to a stooped, bespectacled, elderly man.”
Marie gulped. It was a good disguise. His wig and wrinkles were pretty convincing. She almost didn’t recognize him. But his cold, black eyes and sadistic smile gave him away.
She struggled hard, trying to elbow him in the ribs. But Ervin was strong and he wrapped one hand tightly around her throat.
He began to drag her towards the woods at the other end of the park.
“Let’s go, Marie,” Ervin said. “We can take a short cut through these woods to my car on the other side. I’m going to take you to a very special place. Not many people have been to this secret place.”
He chuckled. “Aren’t you a lucky girl, Marie?”
Marie tried to scream but he dug his claws into the side of her neck and snarled, “If you make the slightest noise, I’ll tear out your throat, bitch.”
She didn’t care. He was going to kill her anyway.
She opened her mouth to scream for help and Ervin smashed his fist into her face.
Marie’s arms flailed as she tried to hit him back but she couldn’t see so clearly anymore.
“Help...let me go,” she croaked and aimed her fist at his face. She missed.
Ervin grabbed a rock and slammed it into the side of her head.
“No...” she gurgled, fighting to stay conscious.
But she was losing the fight.
Marie’s vision blurred and became darker and darker until it became completely black.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Marie cracked her eyes open painfully and fuzzy shadows came into view. She opened her mouth and a dry, scratchy sound escaped from her throat. Her throat felt so raw and painful.
Raising her hand to her neck, Marie remembered that Ervin had squeezed her throat ruthlessly to choke off her scream. He had slammed his fist and a rock into her face, and she could feel her cheek throbbing with each breath she took.
Slowly, she pushed herself up and pressed a hand to her head. Her head felt so heavy and she was having the mother of all headaches. But it wasn’t just her head that hurt.
Her whole body was aching. Her shoulders, neck, joints and limbs felt stiff and frozen and she had to flex her fingers a couple of times to get the feeling back to her fingertips.
She looked around and saw that she was in a dimly lit shed. There was a long metal table at the corner and knives and saws of various sizes were stacked neatly under the table. The lone light bulb dangling from the ceiling buzzed and flickered, threatening to go out.
With a rising sense of foreboding and dread, Marie raised her head and stared at those distorted, curved shapes dangling from the ceiling.
With each blink, the shapes became clearer and Marie choked down a scream when she realized what they were.
Grappling hooks were hanging from the ceiling.
Marie scrabbled back in horror when she saw what looked like a human leg hanging from one of the hooks.
“No...no!” she panted, her eyes darting around frantically.
Marie stared at the dark stains on the floor and walls of the shed.
Blood.
So much blood had been spilled in here.
Where was this place?
“I have to get out...” Marie whimpered in panic.
She saw a door at the corner of the shed. “Don’t let it be locked,” she chanted as she inched towards the door.
There was a sound and Marie froze.
The door opened and Marie backed away silently.
Ervin stepped into the shed and locked the door behind him.
“Hello, Marie.”
Marie swayed on her feet but thankfully she remained standing.
“Don’t come near me. Let me go, you pervert. Why did you bring me here? What is this place?” Marie wheezed.
“This...is my workshop,” Ervin replied, spreading out his arms in a grand gesture. “You see, Marie, I’m a professional. Every professional needs a quiet place to work. I take great pride in my work.”
He caught her staring at the discolored leg hanging from the hook behind him and his smile broadened.
Sighing, Ervin reached out and caressed the leg lovingly. “Ah, sweet, innocent Karen,” he said. “She had the most beautiful legs. So soft, slim and smooth. But...she put those legs to the wrong use. She tried to run. Can’t have that now, can we,” he said, shaking his head in disapproval and disappointment.
“What...what did you do?” Marie whispered, backing away. She felt sick but she fought the urge to throw up.
“I brought Karen’s body here after I killed her,” Ervin said matter-of-factly. “I always bring the bodies here. It’s a waste to just bury them when I can have so much fun with them.”
“T-them...” Marie stuttered.
Plural, not singular.
The realization hit her like a wrecking ball.
There had been others.
The blood roared in her ears but she forced herself to focus on the monster in front of her.
“How many?” she said at last. “How many...bodies?”
Ervin smirked as he ticked off the fingers on his hand and counted, “One, two, three...and Karen.”
Marie reeled back.
Karen wasn’t his only victim.
Ervin had killed and dismembered three other women before Karen.
Marie began to shiver uncontrollably. She was staring at a dangerous, demented serial killer.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Marie tried not to hyperventilate. She was trapped in this shed with Ervin and no one knew where she was. She had to stay calm and keep herself alive for as long as possible.
“Why?” she asked.
Keep him talking. Distract him. Look for a way out!
“Why?” Ervin canted his head at her. “Why did I choose those women? Why did I kill them and carve them up? Why do I do what I do? Why do any of us do what we do?”
Marie kept her face blank. Psychopaths like him thrived on fear. She would not play his game.
But she would play on his pride and ego.
“The first one was...an accident,” Ervin mused. “I didn’t mean to kill her. But she was just so...stupid. I brought her body here and I started to hack it up so I could bury her in different parts of the forest. And I found myself enjoying my work. Yes, it was work. Hard, honest work. I bought good knives and saws for the job. Like
I said, I’m a professional.”
Marie nodded, giving him her full attention.
Ervin smiled and continued, “After that, I became better at choosing my targets. I knew what to look for. I went from town to town, and observed the people. After I did my...job, I would just leave town. No one would miss me. My targets had to fit a particular profile. Those women were all carefully selected. I would watch them and observe their habits and lifestyle before I made my move.”
“Why were those women chosen?” Marie asked, trying to look and sound interested and impressed. She had to fight to keep the rage and revulsion from her face.
“I always choose victims who didn’t have any close family. They were loners, and weren’t very sociable. Didn’t hang out with friends regularly. There would be no one to miss them.”
Marie gulped.
Ervin stroked his chin and gazed dreamily at the leg. “I actually wanted to keep Karen around a while longer. I brought her here once. I showed her the hooks and the knives, and I told her what would happen if she tried to leave me. I thought that we’d reached an understanding.” Ervin’s face twisted. “But that stupid bitch still tried to run. She knew the consequences. It’s like she wanted to end up here. Well, she got her wish.”
He ran his fingers down the leg and Marie saw his eyes glowing with lust and longing. He was getting aroused.
“I preserved this leg really well. I usually preserve a favorite body part so I can admire my handiwork for a few months. When it starts to decompose, I’ll have to go get me a new one. And I’ll have to be on the road again and find a new town.”
He looked at her and Marie staggered back.
Ervin advanced towards her and whispered, “Lucky for me, I have a new one right here. Let’s have some fun, shall we? You’re quite pretty actually. But something has to be done about that mouth and attitude of yours.” He tsked and shook his head. “I’ll teach you how a woman should behave.”
“I’ll behave,” Marie whispered meekly. “I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever you want.”
Ervin looked surprised. “Well, your attitude has certainly improved. Some women just need to be disciplined. It looks like I won’t have to get rid of you so quickly.”
Marie nodded eagerly and said in a small, pleading voice, “I’m hungry and thirsty. Can I have something to eat and drink, please?”
Ervin tilted his head, considering her request. “Why not?” he said with a huge grin. “You can stay here with me for the time being. We can keep each other company. I’ll go get some supplies for us. You be a good girl now. Come here, Marie.”
Marie balled her fists behind her back and walked obediently over to Ervin.
He grabbed her arm suddenly and snapped a handcuff on her wrist. When she cried out, he backhanded her and dragged her to the long table at the other end of the shed.
He cuffed her to the leg of the table and gripped her chin. “I don’t trust you, Marie. You can act all sweet and innocent, but I know that you’re still a filthy bitch. But I’ll keep you alive for a while. You do amuse me and I’m getting quite bored with weak, submissive doormats. I need a little challenge now and then.”
He laughed and went to the door. “Stop jerking at your cuffs, Marie. You won’t be going anywhere.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Gage looked up when the door of his shop burst open with a loud bang. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Huck and Ray rush into the shop.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Gage said evenly. “How can I help you?” If they were here as customers, they were welcome. But if they were here to make trouble, he would make them regret it.
Ray shoved his brother forward. “Huck has something to tell you,” Ray sad tersely.
Gage arched a brow and leaned over the counter.
Huck staggered forward and gulped. “I...um, I saw...”
“What?” Gage frowned.
“Just spit it out, Huck!” Ray snapped.
Huck grimaced and began haltingly, “I was driving past that old park earlier today. You know, the one near the woods...”
“Remington Park,” Gage said with a nod. “That place is just crumbling to dust. I heard that a large real estate company has recently acquired the land and will be building some swanky condos there.”
Huck gulped and glanced at Ray. “You tell him,” he urged, wringing his huge hands in front of him.
Ray scowled and pushed forward. “Huck saw Marie.”
Gage stared at them without moving.
“I know we’ve had our differences,” Ray went on. “But we’re not going to just stand by and stay silent in this case. We know she’s your mate. She’s wearing your mark. I told Huck to come and tell you right away.”
“Tell me what?” Gage gritted out.
“I saw Marie wandering into Remington Park alone. I stopped my car and watched her for a while because I found it strange that she would be walking into an old deserted park all by herself. Then...I saw...” Huck gulped audibly. “I saw this tall, white-haired man grab her and drag her into the woods. I...I believe he was wearing a disguise and I could scent that he was a wolf shifter.”
Gage was out from behind the counter in a flash. His fist closed around Huck’s neck and he growled in the man’s face. “You saw it happen. And you didn’t try to help her?”
“I...I’m sorry, Gage. I didn’t think...I was still angry so...I drove off,” Huck stammered. “When I told Ray about it, he insisted that we come over and tell you. I’m sorry, and I want to make things right. We’ll help search for her, Gage. We’ll get her back...”
Gage flung Huck away from him in rage and disgust.
“Let us help...” Ray began, but Gage was already out of his shop.
He let his bear rise to the surface as he got into his truck. As he started the engine, he saw Ray and Huck running towards their car. Gage snarled and sped down the street. Turning the corner on screeching tires, he glanced in the rearview mirror and saw that the Smith brothers were still following him.
They seemed determined not to lose him.
Ray had his phone pressed to his ear and was gesturing wildly while Huck fixed his eyes on Gage’s truck and tailed him with grim persistence.
Gage’s eyes glowed as his bear rose. Where is she? He roared at his beast.
His bear snarled as Gage lowered his human shields and let his bear take over his senses. His bear would be able to track down his mate. Nothing could keep a bear from his mate. A bear would cross oceans and brave hellfire to reach his beloved mate.
Gage let his bear direct him as he drove. His bear knew where to go, and his furious beast was urging him out of Bear Ridge.
“Where did Ervin take her?” Gage growled. “The bastard…!”
He drove out of Bear Ridge and zoomed down the highway. The Smith brothers were still following him but Gage didn’t bother with them. He had to find Marie before it was too late.
Gage didn’t know how many miles he had driven. He just pushed his truck to the limit, trying to go as fast as possible.
His bear rammed against his skin suddenly. Here!
Gage tightened his grip on the steering wheel and made a sharp turn. As his truck bounced on a narrow dirt track, Gage felt his whole body tense.
He growled as his claws sliced out.
He could sense that he was getting closer and closer to Marie. And the scent of fear and danger was thick in the air.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Marie tried to twist out of her cuff again. Panting, she swore and kicked angrily at the legs of the metal table.
After she had calmed down, she held her breath and strained her ears to listen for any sounds outside the shed. All she heard were the occasional chirps of birds and insects.
The shed was probably hidden in the middle of a forest. She heard no footsteps or movement outside the shed. Ervin had said that he was going to get some supplies. Hopefully he would be gone a long time.
She had to free herself and escap
e before Ervin came back.
This was her only chance.
If she didn’t run now, Marie was certain that she would never make it out of this shed alive. She would die here and she would never see Gage again.
“Gage...” she whispered her mate’s name and her heart clenched. She loved him so much, and she would give anything to return to his side.
Even an arm and a leg.
Marie’s eyes widened as the terrible solution presented itself to her.
She could get free...by sawing off her arm.
Her arm would be left hanging in the shed, like Karen’s leg. But she would be free.
Hopefully she wouldn’t bleed to death as she stumbled through the woods, minus an arm.
It was a drastic, grisly act, but Marie couldn’t see any other way to save herself.
Trembling, she inched forward and reached for the stack of knives and saws under the table.
She whimpered and blinked back terrified tears as her fingertips grazed the handle of a saw. She didn’t want to do this. And she wasn’t even sure if she would survive this horrific procedure.
But what choice did she have?
Curl up in a ball and wait to die?
Marie gritted her teeth and thought of Gage. She just had to keep her mind on her wonderful, loving mate and she would be able to endure anything.
Grimly, she strained against her cuff and managed to grab one of the saws. She yanked hard and the stack of knives and saws toppled noisily onto the floor.
Marie gasped and froze for a moment.
Her eyes darted to the door.
But the door remained closed.
Taking a shuddering breath, Marie dragged the saw towards her. She stared at the sharp, serrated blade and swallowed a painful, wrenching sob.
“I can do this,” she whispered tearfully. “I must!”
As she picked up the saw, something small and shiny caught her eye. Marie squinted at the pile of knives and realized that a small silver key was lying on the floor under the knives.
With her heart pounding in her chest, Marie scrambled forward and picked up the key.
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