11 Days

THE DARKEST DAYS

Sam told us that the heart had appeared in a jar filled with red rose petals at the bar that was only open on weekends, right between two brand new bottles of tequila that weren't there. Inside the jar was also a note with what appeared to be a riddle.

Hurts when it breaks and if it stops you are dead.

“Our killer likes the drama.” I glanced at Echo who was standing tall, unapproachable and too serious all of a sudden. “I honestly thought he or she had eaten the heart.”

“Are you making jokes right now?” Sam shook her head, clearly not amused by my lack of involvement emotionally. I had too much in my head right now to worry about the whole circus this killer was building in our town.

“I’m not. It’s disturbing but this person is not taking anyone seriously if they went to great lengths to make a joke out of the police.” She of course was still worried about what might happen but I wasn't in the mood so I turned around and entertained myself cleaning the dog pools and then sat on the floor to brush anyone who got too close; Over time I learned that the most effective method was to brush them when they least expected it. Sometime later Echo sat next to me while I brushed the dog hair off my clothes.

Are you alright?

Was I? I nodded, couldn’t bring myself to utter a single word anymore.

Talk to me, please.

“This is not about me.” But when Echo pushed again instead of letting me be, I snapped, at that particular moment I forgot where I was and who I was talking to. "I came here because I thought I would be safe, and I would have no worries other than getting to work early or paying my debts. And even though five years have passed I still cannot forget what I felt when I opened that box in my room. I have lived five years looking over my shoulder, being careful and now it turns out that not only do I have to fear for being found by the lunatic who murdered my boyfriend but I must also fear for a maniac who is going around murdering people in my building and leaving his trophies behind with cryptic messages."

You are safe.

“It’s not just me I am worried about anymore.”

Echo sighed deeply, he seemed to be mentally preparing himself for what he planned to say. I will protect you. I promise.

“That’s the problem, Echo. I don’t want to be protected. I want to be able to enjoy my time here.”

After that I avoided Echo as much as I could for the rest of my shift. When it was finally time to leave, I texted Matt, but he didn't reply, I was hoping that he would pick me up but that wouldn't happen and I would have to walk home. During my walk I noticed that people were outside, gossiping and agitated by the events of the last days; there was more movement than normal in the streets which meant that we had entered a complete state of panic. Ten minutes later Echo caught up with me on a corner and followed me in his car, I did my best to ignore him, but the curious looks were starting to bother me. Completely indignant I got in the car and crossed my arms, I deduced that it was better to be alone with Echo than out there being the target of gossip. I assumed we would go home and talk tomorrow, but when I noticed that he was moving further and further away from town, I felt a wave of anxiety that ate me whole. "Where are we going?" I asked desperately with elaborate breathing, Echo on the other hand very barely smiled. "Whatever you're planning to do doesn't interest me, so let's go back." When I saw the huge sign on the side of the highway with the words Welcome to Quiet Gate embossed in it my heart stopped, thinking that he would take us away from town but he pulled off the road and stopped the car. "What are you up too?"

This is your home.

“Huh?”

You are safe in your home.

“Well right now we are kinda far from it, don’t you think?”

He rolled his eyes at me, frustrated with me he pulled out his notepad. I knew when he had to use that one, he was done playing nice. As long as you trust me, nothing bad will happen to you. You don't have to worry anymore.

“I said I don’t want to be protected.” I said through gritted teeth, I was trying my best not to yell at him. “Now let’s go back.”

A couple of dead and stolen organs is nothing compared to what I can do.

 What was he capable of doing? What Echo wrote in the little notebook must have terrified me, but it didn't; long ago I came to consider that he could be someone dangerous but there was also the possibility that he was bragging. "Whatever you're trying to do, I'm not amused." Something in his gaze changed, a switch was turned off and the heat that was housed in it evaporated, completely consumed by a coldness that was not there before. I searched blindly for the door handle behind me and when it opened, I slid out of the car. I walked slowly backwards with my eyes said in the car, when Echo's door opened I started running without looking back, I ran until my legs ached and I was short of breath but Echo was faster than me, his strides longer than mine; I screamed at the top of my lungs when he yanked on my hand and threw me onto the grass like I was nothing, a simple rag doll. Whimpering I started crawling in the tall grass hoping to get to the cornfields and hide there but he kicked my knee knocking me off balance and I fell on my face. I remained on the ground trembling with rage scratching the damp earth under my hands, I yelped when he spread my legs and knelt between them. They were all the same, they were absolutely all the same garbage. "Do what you are going to do but I assure you that you are not going to enjoy it."

I cried out when he forcefully turned my head, coaxing me to look at him. Trust me.

“Are you stupid? You chased me, tackled me and now you plan to rape me!”

He shook his head, the warmth slowly seeping through the ice. Trust me to protect you. Even though I was scared shitless, deep down I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. It wasn’t in him the will to hurt me and so I began to relax; as I did, the ice melted, and pure raw heat scorched me without even touching him. “Would you?”

Yes.

My eyes followed his hands as they worked on his fly then widened when I saw how hard he was; the adrenaline must have excited him enough to bring his c**k to such a state. “Echo…” I began to shake, but this time I wasn’t shaking in fear or rage but in anticipation. It wasn't until he pulled my jeans and underwear down my buttocks and down to my knees that I realized how wet I was; His hands massaged my thighs lazily and I found myself arching my back toward him, begging him to touch me. And so, he did. Echo aligned his hips with mine and with one forceful thrust he drove into me knocking the air out of me as he jolted me forward. I grunted when he pushed another inch inside, then another. At first there was mild discomfort there, but the pleasure started to build up, little by little until I was panting under him. He then bent to circle his arms around my waist and hoist me up, pressing my back to his heaving chest. I must have been worried that we were out there f*****g like there was no tomorrow and anyone could come by and see us but I wasn’t; there was a poignant thrill about being caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing. Whether he sensed my climax on the edge or he was just trying to keep me from moaning too loud, he covered my nose and mouth with his palm preventing air from going into my lungs. Panicking I clawed at his hand, reached behind and pulled at his hair but still he wouldn’t budge- the strangest thing of all is I found myself chasing for the climax so eagerly I stopped caring about the fact that I couldn’t breathe, when his fingers skimmed over my clit that’s when I shattered completely under his hold and with a grunt and a final push he came, spilling into me.

Finally, when he moved his hand away, I gasped for air as I collapsed on the dirt once more, shaking uncontrollably. He gave me a few moments to calm down before picking me up into his arms and walk back towards the waiting car.