Peripheral Vision: A Supernatural Thriller(41)

“I’m not going to make you do anything, my love. I want you to want to-to want me.” At that he leaned in and kissed her. Much like their first kiss, Nick’s lips were soft and gentle.

Sarah began to cry. Sobbing louder as his lips pressed harder against hers. She could feel Nick struggling with what he was doing and pushed it even further. He stopped kissing her. She could see there was doubt in his eyes.

“Please untie me, Nick.”

“I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Not like this, not with you.”

“We can fix this, start over. Just untie me...”

“I want to untie you, but I don’t want you to run away”.

“I won’t run away.”

“Are you lying to me, Sarah?”

“I promise, I won’t run.”

Nick searched Sarah’s face for the lie, but couldn’t find it.

“Nick, I…” Sarah looked down.

Nick reached out gently and raised her head up to meet his eyes. “Tell me.”

“I love you too.” She kissed him, but more fervently than he had kissed her. This time Nick reciprocated with the same enthusiasm, his hand quickly finding its way to her body, tracing her outline, and moving up to her breasts-building in excitement for a moment before suddenly pulling away. He put the glass down so he could begin to untie her. His heavy breath was short and rapid, as he untied her. He watched her cautiously, waiting for her to make a move, but Sarah didn’t move, or even breathe.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

“Yes.”

Nick raised the glass to her lips.

“No.” She said. “Not like that… I want it from you.”

That pleased Nick. In more way than one, Sarah sensed. He took a sip and then leaned into her. Sarah let his lips get millimeters from hers, and then her hand shot out in a swift blow to his throat. He fell backwards in pain, choking on the blood. Sarah jumped up, unstable on her feet, but ready to save herself.

“Choke on that, asshole!”

Nick was on the ground coughing. She had caught him off guard. He was ashamed, hurt, and now really pissed.

Sarah remembered the stairs on the far wall that lead up to the slanted cellar door and the outside. She ran to them.

“Bitch!” Nick shouted from behind her. “Sarah, stop!” His eyes grew dark, grey, deadly.

Sarah barreled up the stairs and pushed up through the sloping wooden door above her head, exposing the new dawn light.

Nick struggled to get to his feet. He swiped his arm across his face attempting to wipe the wasted blood from his face. It only smeared it worse. Nick swallowed hard and then took off after Sarah. She wouldn’t get far. He knew the property very well.

Sarah ran down past the machine shop, searching franticly for a place to hide. She could hear him yelling as he came up from the cellar. Soon she found herself on the backside of the faded red barn. She pressed her back against the weather warped boards, holding her breath, and hoping Nick would just continue by.

“Sarah! Get back here!” Nick called from back near the house. He jogged over to the machine shop, peering through the crack between the boards in the door. “You ruined everything Sarah. All of our plans, everything I worked so hard for. One way or another, we will be together. Even if I have to drink every drop of your blood, you will be mine!”

Sarah was shaking. She could hear him shouting from the distance, but she knew he would soon find her. She was too exposed here. She needed something else, better cover. She looked around, but everything seemed so far away. Then she looked to the river. The Iktomi seemed to glow in response. It was time to make a run for it. She sprinted out from behind the barn and down through the tall grass. She felt fast, she was going to make it, but that’s when Nick saw her and took off, flying down the riverbank after her.

Sarah dove into the river trying to swim across it. The cold water blasted the air from her lungs and her body shook on the verge of hypothermia, but she pushed on. The loud splash behind her signaled that Nick was now in the river too. She pushed herself-kicking wildly and not coming up for air, but Nick was faster and stronger and in no time he was already upon her.

Nick caught Sarah by the ankle and ripped her back to him. His left hand shot out of the water and grabbed her by the back of the neck. Sarah flailed wildly, trying to break free. Her drenched white dress strangled her legs tighter, the more she struggled.

“Nick please... stop!” She screamed.

“I won’t let you live without me Sarah!” His eyes were black with thirst. There was no longer any sadness left in his eyes. He was rage. She had humiliated him and he was going to punish her.

“Nick!” She screamed, but the scream was cut short as he grabbed Sarah’s head and plunged her face-first into the icy water. She gasped, opening her mouth under water and choking violently. Sarah struggled hard, waving her arms above the water and finally managing to turn over. She grasped his hand with both of hers. In one gallant effort she pushed past his hand and popped her head out of the water- gasping, choking for air.

“This is your fault! You’re a heartless bitch...” Nick shouted as he wrapped both hands tightly around her neck. He tightened his grip on her neck and then pushed her down into the murky water once more.

Sarah could see his face above the water as she struggled to free herself from his grip. But he was much too strong and the lack of oxygen was quickly starting to affect her strength. Her mind was starting to explore the curious idea of drowning when suddenly, he pulled her up above the water.