The Tranquil Predator ✔️

Chapter 5

Patricia's Pov

That person just slowed down to match my speed and kept his distance. This was becoming a bit scary now. But maybe I was just overthinking. I increased my speed a bit and noticed how he did the same.

I was being followed.

Turning my head sideways to catch a glimpse of the person from the corner of my eye, I take sight of the 'local', a bald middle-aged man.

I felt a shiver make its way down my spine.

Probably because of the way that man was looking me down. His black eyes darkened with lust. When he saw me, a horrible smile crept on his face which raised the tiny hair on my arms and back and frightened me. I didn't know what to do. Of course, I couldn't fight back because I don't know how to fight. So I just increased my pace a bit more and started brisk walking. He too increased his speed but kept his distance.

Then I changed my brisk walking to sprinting and dashed through the woods with him following behind. I knew I couldn't go home. Didn't want him to know the location of my house. So I just kept running in the dark woods with no destination in mind.

I didn't know where to go. I just wanted to hide from him. Hide somewhere in the woods and wait there till I was sure he was gone.

I looked calm and quiet on the outside as I ran as fast as I could but on the inside, I was screaming for help in an empty forest hoping someone would hear me. My brain on the other hand was rapidly functioning. It looked like it was speaking with itself and I could hear its thoughts.

"What's the first thing one needs to do when being chased?

Hide!

Where can that person hide in a forest?

Behind a bush, up a tree?

Great! So find a big bush or a tree that can be climbed!"

"Tree! Find a tree!" I thought as I kept running. Looking over my shoulder I noticed how he started to slow down. Old man can't keep up with me now, can he? I was smiling like a Cheshire cat when I saw him panting. But that didn't mean I could stop.

I had to run as far away as possible so that I could hide from his vision and find a tree that had a low branch that I could use to climb up.

After running for a few more minutes I looked back again and couldn't see him.

Perfect!

There was a tree with a low branch in front of me. Maybe I could climb it. Without giving it any second thoughts I jumped on the branch. Struggling to get a grip and finally being on top of the branch I started making my way to the top of the tree, a part where some more branches and leaves could hide me, and the black shawl could help me in camouflaging in the dark night.

Once I was up and settled I tucked myself in between 2 branches properly with the plastic bag that had my precious noodle packs on my lap. I was panting heavily. I tried slowing down my beating heart by taking in deep breaths.

It was extremely quiet in the forest. So quiet I that I could hear every inconspicuous sound that was being made. From the rustling of the leaves because of the strong winds to the sounds that the crickets and other insects were making. I could hear all of them. It was as if the forest was quiet but at the same time, it wasn't.

I knew I wasn't safe. I knew I needed help. But the thing was I didn't know anyone personally in that town. I didn't have anyone's number. Someone whom I could call for help. But I did have the number of the store where Praveen worked.

"Should I call? Will he be there? Will he pick up?", these thoughts kept running through my brain as I contemplated what to do.

That's it! I need to take the chance but first I need to check whether the coast is clear or not. So hesitantly I peered over the tree I was on. There was a dark shadow near the base. I shuddered when I noticed it. Looking carefully, I saw it was a tall, slender body, couldn't see the face, probably because it was not facing me. Whoever this person was, it was definitely not that man who was chasing me. Within a second, the shadow vanished. I waited for a few more minutes in silence to make sure I was alone. Then dialed the store number.

"Hello! This is Raghu's we are closing now so deli-"

"Praveen! Help!", I sobbed through my tears.

"Patricia? What's wrong? Why are you crying?", he asked concerned. Having a crying girl asking for help on his boss's phone definitely shocked him.

"I was being followed, I hid, on a tree in the woods, please help me!", sentences were really difficult for me to make in between all that crying so I just stuck with the keywords.

"Hold on, I am on my way", was all he said before disconnecting the call.

Unknown pov

She looked kind of cute though. Crying for help as she hid on that tree waiting for someone to show up. To save her. How helpless she was. It turned me on so much. I couldn't wait to have my share of fun with her.

"Oo you have no idea what I am going to do to you when I am done sweetheart", I snickered.

A/N:

So hi! I am back! Uhm so how is it going so far? Pls give me constructive criticism. I am new here remember....And do vote for my story...This raises my morale to write even better