My stomach lurched. This wasn't some friendly hangout, not with the way he was acting. He kept saying we were just "friends," but the way he was looking at me sent shivers down my spine. We were standing near the creepy, abandoned clock tower with the last rays of sunlight fading away as we kept walking towards its direction.
"Whoa, you carry pepper spray?" He said, eyes gleaming in the fading light as he spotted it clipped to my purse strap.
"For Safety, obviously." I answered as a matter of fact. He reached out for it, but I flinched back, my hand instinctively tightening around my purse. "What are you doing? It's lid is loose. I don't want you accidentally spraying it all over my purse." I lied pathetically. I just didn't want him touching my purse.
He chuckled, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Broken, huh? Like you?" His gaze flickered down to the spray, then back up to me, lingering on my eyes for a bit too long.
"Don't underestimate me." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Wanna see what it can do?"
He grinned, a flash of white in the gathering darkness. "Sure, show me what it's got."
A sick feeling formed in my gut, but I aimed a short burst at the cracked pavement at our feet as a warning sign that I wont hesitate to use it on him if he kept being weird. The sickly sweet smell of pepper filled the air and he leaned in, sniffing loudly.
"Huh," He finally said, his voice flat. "It doesn't smell that bad."
"It doesn't?" I couldn't believe my ears. Who the fuck says something like that?
"Nope," He said, a slow smile creeping across his face. "Not bad at all. In fact, I think I could take it." He flexed his arm, the moonlight catching the bulge of a muscle beneath his thin t-shirt.
I forced a laugh. "Sure, tough guy."
He tilted his head, studying my face. "Scared, are you?" He smiled. The question wasn't playful at all.
"No." I lied, looking away as my voice wavered a little. "I'm feeling kinda cold here. Can we please leave this area?" It wasn't a lie, I was cold but the chills I was getting wasn't from the evening air. It was the feeling of being trapped with him, the way he spoke of casually overpowering my only source of defence against men like him, and the weird spark in his eyes sent a warning deep within me.
He then stepped closer, the space between us shrinking more and more. "You always gotta be prepared, you know?" He said, his voice a low murmur in my ear. "This world's a dangerous place, y/n. Especially for girls who walk alone at night."
My heart hammered against my ribs. "I'm not alone though," I protested. "I'm with you." And somehow that was worse.
"Not yet," He murmured, his lips almost brushing my ear then to my cheek. I flinched, taking a step away from him.
"Hawks," I stammered, "I should really head back."
He didn't answer. He just kept staring at me with those eyes. And I knew with certainty that this wasn't just about a casual hangout anymore. And the walk back, if I even made it, would be anything but safe. The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating, all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to run, but terror rooted me to the spot. The last I wanted was him running after me.
"You know," He finally drawled, tracing a fingertip down my arm, sending sparks of ice shooting through me, "Pepper spray wouldn't be much good against someone who like the burn."
His words sent a fresh wave of nausea churning in my stomach. What the fuck did he mean by "Like the burn"? At that point my brain started searching for an escape and latched onto the abandoned clock tower looming behind us.
"Hey," I forced a lightness into my voice, "Ever wonder what the view's like from the top?"
His smile widened as I successfully managed changed the topic. "Only one way to find out, right?"
He didn't wait for an answer, his grip tightened on my arm as he started dragging me towards the rickety metal stairs that spiraled up the side of the tower which looked like it could crumble any day now. Each step we took it creaked in protest, the sound echoing eerily behind us.
The higher we climbed, the less air seemed to be available. My breaths came in ragged gasps as he was going too fast, my legs couldn't keep up with his pace.
"You know," He said conversationally, his voice barely a whisper over the groaning metal, "It's funny how 'accidents' usually happen in these old places. A small slip or even a stumble will cause one to..." He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
Tears pricked the back of my eyelids, blurring my vision. My hand reached into my purse, desperately searching for something, anything, besides the useless spray. My fingers brushed against the cold metal of my phone. There was still bit of hope, maybe I could get a signal, call for help.
As if sensing my plan, Hawks chuckled, a dark, humorless sound. "Don't even think about it," He hissed, his grip tightening on my arm until it felt like it might shatter.
What the fuck was up with him? Why is he being so psychotic? I wanted to just run away from his presence cuz I felt something worse coming up ahead.
The metal platform at the top of the tower creaked under our weight as if it would collapse. I casted a desperate glance around, but there was nowhere to go. We were trapped, and I was alone with a man who spoke of "accidents" as if we were talking about the morning news on tv.
He pulled me towards the frail looking railing, a cruel amusement twisting his features. "Ready to see the view?" He asked, his voice devoid of any warmth.
My throat constricted. "Hawks, please–" I choked out, my voice barely a whimper.
His smile dropped in an instant. "Maybe you should've brought a stronger weapon," He taunted, his eyes shining with a manic intensity in the dim lights.
The world around me suddenly seemed to tilt on its axis, the ground rushing up to meet me as he loosened his grip on me all of a sudden. I was at the edge and started falling backwards, a scream tore from my throat as I squeezed my eyes shut. So, this is how I die...But then, a yank and just as quickly, his hand clamped down on my shoulder, yanking me back from the edge. My scream died in my throat, replaced by a strangled gasp. I clawed at the air, scrabbling for anything to hold onto and ended up grabbing both his arms for support.
Hawks dragged me back onto the platform roughly and I collapsed onto the cold metal, my body shaking uncontrollably. He loomed over me, his face a mask of dark amusement.
"Looks like someone doesn't appreciate the view." He chuckled, his voice filled with humour. It was as if he was having the time of his life.
He leaned in close and I did my best not to flinch back. "Not tonight though." He breathed, the heat of his words sending shivers down my spine. And God knows what he meant by that. All I knew was that his words weren't comforting.
"But this," He gestured towards the dizzying drop below, "Is just the beginning of our new adventures."
He hauled me to my feet, his grip rough and unforgiving. And we descended down the rickety stairs in a blur. My legs felt like jelly and my mind felt like it was trapped in a state of numbness.
As we reached solid ground, he released me abruptly. "Walk." He barked, shoving me towards the deserted street.
My body obeyed on autopilot, each step I took was big and quick in order to put some distance between me and the man who held my fate in his hands.
"See," He finally rasped, his voice a distorted whisper like dead leaves rustling in the wind, "This was our little trust exercise. It surely builds character, wouldn't you say?"
He chuckled, a dry, hollow sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Maybe next time, you won't bring that pathetic little things to defend yourself with, huh? And then we can play a more interesting game."
His words sent a fresh wave of terror crashing against me. "What kind of game?"
I looked back at he was smiling. "Where do you live, y/n?"
I stopped walking. I glared at him and he started back with ease, his hands in his pockets. "We do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours."
I flinched back. "Just a few blocks from here..."
He chuckled, a dry, hollow sound. "How convenient. Saves us time, won't ya?"
The walk would soon become a reason of why I'd die from a panic attack. He would point at every darkened doorway, each vacant lot choked up with weeds. "Perfect places for a little scream to go unnoticed, wouldn't you say?" He'd cackle, thinking his jokes were funny.
Each horrifying suggestion chipped away at my sanity. Tears filled my vision, blurring my line of sight further. Finally, we reached my apartment building. A sliver of hope flickered within me. Maybe, just maybe, I could make a run for it inside and reach my apartment safely. But from the looks of it, the chances are slim.
"Here?" Hawks asked, his voice devoid of amusement now, replaced by a cold, disappointed tone.
I nodded numbly. He shoved me towards the entrance, his hand hovering menacingly close to my back.
"Show me." He commanded, his voice a low growl.
My trembling fingers fumbled with the keypad, the familiar numbers seeming alien under his menacing gaze. With a groan, the heavy metal door buzzed open.
"Up or down?" He barked, his voice suddenly tight with impatience.
"Fourth floor." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The elevator felt like a metal coffin as we ascended. Hawks stood impossibly close, his body heat radiating against mine. His hand twitched as he kept a firm grip on my coat.
"You know," He whispered, his voice a low murmur in my ear, "sometimes accidents happen in elevators too."
The ping of the elevator opening on my floor felt like a church bell. He clicked his tongue before shoving me out, his eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway with caution.
"Which one?" He demanded, his voice sharp.
My heart hammered against my ribs. This was it. This was the moment I had to make a choice. Safety for myself, or expose someone else in the building?
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I pointed towards a random apartment door at the end of the hall. "That one," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.
He studied me for a long moment, his eyes narrowed. Did he realise I was lying? Then, to my relief and utter horror, he started walking towards it.
"Gotcha." He snarled as he stopped midway as I started to take a few steps back. We locked eyes and I froze. He laughed like a maniac and I felt a wave of nausea coming. He knew I was lying all along. But before he could take another step, I lunged. Adrenaline surged through me, propelling me forward with a burst of desperate energy.
"No!" I shrieked, not caring if he knew my lie had been exposed or that he was mad. I sprinted towards my actual apartment.
He reacted with inhuman speed. A roar erupted from his throat, a sound that sent shivers down my spine and threatened to paralyze me with fear. I fumbled with my keys, the metallic jingle a beacon of hope in the dim hallway. The door clicked open just as his hand slammed into it, his face twisted with rage.
I stumbled through the doorway, shoving the door shut behind me. My hands trembled as I fumbled for the lock, desperation fueling my every move.
"Gotcha, baby," He snarled, his voice laced with a terrifying fury. Through the thin barrier of wood, I could hear his ragged breaths, the sound of his body straining against the door.
Panic clawed at my throat. I didn't dare look back, but I knew he was there, inches away, his eyes burning into me through the wood. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my already limited view of the dark apartment.
My only thought was escape. Blinded by tears and fear, I scrambled towards the bedroom, my heels clicking loudly on the hardwood floor giving him my exact location. The rasp of his footsteps on the carpet behind me sent another wave of terror crashing through me.
"Don't even fucking think about it!" He roared, his voice closer now.
"Help!" I screamed, my voice choked with fear. "Somebody help me!"
Hawk's response was a chilling laugh, devoid of any humor. "Nobody can help you now, little bitch," He cackled, the sound echoing through the dark apartment. "You can run all you want, but I will always, always catch you."
And then, with a sickening crack, the doorknob splintered under the force of his assault. The door swung open, revealing his dark figure framed in the doorway. He lunged, eyes blazing with manic fury. Before I could even scream again, a pair of hands, rough and calloused, clamped around my waist. The world spun as he yanked me off my feet, the air whooshing from my lungs.
I landed with a sickening thud on the cold and hard wood. Pain shot up my leg, a scream trapped in my throat. My vision swam with darkness, only a faint outline of his hulking form visible against the moonlight filtering through the window. Struggle. That was all I knew. I clawed at him, my nails scraping uselessly against his chest. My legs lashed out, searching for any opening, any way to push him back. But he was a mountain compared to me, his weight pinning me to the ground.
A hot, fetid breath tickled my ear. "Such a feisty little girl," He hissed, his voice dripping with mocking amusement. His hand snaked up my arm, "But useless," He finished, his grip tightening on my wrist until it felt like my bones were breaking.
Then, his hand came up, cupping my chin roughly. He tilted my head back, forcing me to look at his face.
"Don't worry," He murmured, his voice a mix of honeyed sweetness. "It'll all be over soon."
But "over" wasn't what terrified me. It was what came before. He leaned in closer, the scent of his breath washing over me. My body recoiled instinctively, but there was nowhere to go. His lips, hot and wet, brushed against mine. I tried to turn my head away, but his grip tightened, his fingers digging into my jaw with extreme force. A whimper escaped my lips, a pathetic sound that seemed to only fuel his fucked up fantasies.
"Just a little taste," He murmured. His hand went down my arm, his touch sending goosebumps across my skin. He ripped the top of my blouse, exposing my skin further down.
This was it. There was nowhere left to run. His fucking laughter would be the last sound I ever heard.
________________________
This is too dark. Bye.
But like seriously, carry pocket knives or smt sharp when yall are out alone guys. Cuz the inspiration for this fucked up story comes from an actual fucking incident. A man did in fact tell a woman that a pepper spray won't be enough to stop him and that he can take it if she sprayed it. (idk if he was joking or not but like wtf, who even says that typa shit) 💀