I hear nothing but the waves.
I turn back around, my feet edging out of the water, when I hear another crack. This time I turn around fully, glancing into the thick trees, my head tilting from left to right as I look for movement. “Hello? Who’s out there?”
Nothing. Nothing at all.
My jaw clenches. “If this is you, Archer, I swear I’ll kick your fucking ass.”
Silence.
I bend down, keeping my eyes trained on the trees in front of me as I head toward the tree stump. “Whoever the fuck is out there, I hope you know I’ve only gotten crazier over the past eleven months, and if you want to try me, you better have a fucking weapon, because otherwise you’ll regret this real quick.”
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Slow footsteps, and I’ve had enough. I sprint away from the water, racing toward my shoes. I swipe them up, speeding away from the noise as I run along the rocky water, my feet slipping on the rocks as I race around the beach. My breaths come out in heavy pants, and I swallow through the dry air as I make my way back toward everyone. I don’t dare look over my shoulder, refuse to even focus on whatever or whoever may be behind me. All I know is, being by myself in the woods, near the water, when I’m looked at like a murderer, feels like a death wish.
The lights illuminate the beach once I grow close enough, and I can finally see the world around me. People still party, the music still thumps, a heavy beat working its way to the soles of my feet.
Vienna and Creed sit on the beach around a small fire, and once Vienna sees me, she points in my direction. Creed’s face snaps my way, and his eyes widen before he stands up suddenly, racing over to me.
“What the fuck is going on, Lakyn?” he snaps.
I shake my head, stopping once I reach him, bending at the waist, my hands planting on my knees as I gasp in a breath.
His hand goes to my back, and he rubs at it gently, though I can feel the tenseness in his fingers.
“Fucking tell me,” he commands.
Once I can find my breath, I glance over my shoulder, into the distance, where there’s absolutely no one.
“I thought someone was chasing me,” I gasp.
His eyes narrow. “Someone was following you?” He steps past me, ready to race into the forest. My fingers wrap around his wrist, and I squeeze tightly.
“No, Creed. Stop.”
“What’s going on?” Vienna asks, walking over to us.
“Lake thinks someone was following her.”
Vienna narrows her eyes in confusion. “Who?”
My hands go up before slapping against the sides of my thighs. “I have no clue. It could’ve been no one, honestly. It’s been a long day, so it was probably my imagination.”
Creed’s body is still stiff against mine. “I don’t like this, Lakyn.”
Unease hits me, and I run my fingers through my blonde locks before giving them a slight tug.I knew this party was a mistake. “Stop, I was just losing my mind for a second. I’m fine. I’m just gonna go onto the boat and get some water.”
“Yeah, well, we’re coming with you,” he says, grabbing onto Vienna.
I nod, not minding in the slightest. Though I’m probably losing my mind, I’m still feeling slightly freaked out about it, and being alone doesn’t sound fun.
We walk toward the boat, and Archer sits on the back, a beer in his hand and a girl stuck between his legs. Her hands are on his thighs, her long blue nails digging into his pants.
My eyes narrow as I glare at her.
Archer smiles when he notices my scowl, until he must see the look in my eyes, because he frowns, shoving the girl away without a second thought. He adjusts his pants as he straightens, taking a step toward us.
“What happened?” he snaps.