The night air felt thick and heavy, the lake behind them still rippling with the echoes of Regan's screams.
Amara, Sophie, and Riley raced down the narrow path, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, shoes scraping against the stone. Fear coursed through their veins with every step, like prey trying to escape a predator that was always just out of reach.
After what seemed like an eternity, Amara finally dared to look back, her chest heaving. Nothing. No footsteps, no shadows chasing them. A flicker of relief sparked in her eyes.
"I… I think we lost her," Sophie whispered, gripping her arm, her voice shaking.
But Riley shook her head vigorously. "No… people like her don't just vanish. She's—"
Brrrrrrrzzzzzzzt.
The sound of wheels on pavement interrupted her words.
From around the corner, Liliana appeared… riding a scooter. Her hair whipped around her as she swerved playfully, one foot lazily pushing off the ground. The casualness of it all made the scene even more unsettling, as if this was just a game to her.
She came to a stop right in front of them, planting one foot firmly on the ground, her lips curling into a sweet, mocking smile.
"Why are you running?" she asked softly, tilting her head like a curious child. "We still haven't finished our fun yet."
The three of them froze, eyes wide, their hearts pounding so hard they felt like their ribs might crack.
Then Liliana's smile widened, her pupils narrowing. The air around her shifted playful one moment, suffocating the next. Bloodlust radiated from her like a tidal wave, an invisible weight pressing down on them.
Amara's legs gave out first. Her knees buckled, crashing against the stone. Sophie followed almost immediately, trembling uncontrollably. Riley tried to back away, but her strength drained away, leaving her crumpled in the dirt.
Lilana stepped forward slowly, the wheels of her scooter clicking against the ground as they spun in place. She crouched down to meet their gaze, her grin unwavering.
"You look scared," she whispered, her voice sweet like sugar but with a hint of venom. "But don't worry… I'll make sure tonight is unforgettable."
Her eyes sparkled with a cruel delight as the three girls trembled in sheer terror.
For the first time, Amara, Sophie, and Riley truly understood what it felt like to be prey, ensnared by a predator who was not only stronger but also relished the chase.
Liliana leaned in closer, her voice a whisper sharp enough to slice through the tension. "So, you three were planning to snap pictures of me and blackmail me into being your little plaything, right?"
Amara hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod.
Liliana's eyes lit up with a mischievous idea. If that's how you wanted to play… why not turn the tables? "How about I do the same to you three?" she murmured, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "That should fix everything."
But before Amara could reply, Liliana's gaze darted to the clock on the wall, her eyes widening. "Oh no, look at the time. It's getting late. I really wanted to see Sylvie… to hear his voice. Maybe tomorrow—"
Just then, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at the screen, a smirk forming on her lips. "Speak of the devil," she muttered as she answered the call.
"Where are you?" Sylvester's voice came through, calm yet firm.
"I'm on my way," Liliana replied quickly. "Sorry for the delay."
"Were you… ambushed?" Sylvester's voice sliced through the line, sharp and controlled.
Liliana's lips curled into a small, breathless smile. "You're… spot on, Sylvie," she whispered, her tone soft and sweet, tinged with feigned relief. "Just what I was afraid of…"
There was a brief pause before Sylvester's calm, almost detached voice continued. "I… got ambushed too."
Liliana's eyes narrowed, a flicker of genuine or convincingly feigned anger crossing her features.
Liliana narrowed her eyes, a flicker of either genuine or expertly feigned anger flashing across her face.
"What?! How dare they…" she hissed into the phone, gripping it tightly. Her voice held just enough fear to make the act believable, but underneath, her mind was racing with thoughts. I can't let him know I'm fine… not yet.
"Don't worry," Sylvester cut in, his voice dropping to a low, menacing murmur. "I've already taken care of it."
Liliana froze, feeling the weight of his words.
Her breath hitched as she imagined the scene on the other end of the line. Sylvester was perched atop a pile of thirteen broken bodies from Regan's gang, each one sprawled in defeat, their desperate attempts to overpower him evident in their twisted positions.
He leaned forward slightly, one elbow resting on his knee, fingers tapping a steady rhythm. His dark eyes scanned the remnants of the fight, unyielding and calculating. The faint glimmer of light on his sharp features made him look like a predator relishing the aftermath.
Around him, the air seemed to vibrate with something almost palpable a pulse of raw intimidation. Every subtle movement of his shoulders, the tilt of his head, the slow, deliberate exhale, all added to the heavy aura he exuded. It was as if the world itself recoiled slightly from the intensity of his presence.
He straightened, letting his gaze linger on the defeated bodies like an artist admiring his masterpiece. Liliana imagined him flexing his fingers slowly, deliberately, as if to remind the world and anyone foolish enough to challenge him just how completely he dominated.
"You don't need to worry about anyone else," he continued, his voice steady and commanding. "They're… done."
Liliana's fingers tightened around her phone, her heart racing not from fear, but from the thrill of being in the presence of someone so overwhelmingly dangerous. Her mind whispered,
If only he knew how much I already enjoy playing this game…