Chapter 4. Almost

Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised.

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“You’re such a great baker, Leila. Thank you for this.” Mrs. Johnson proudly commented as she stood beside her.

Mrs. Johnson contacted her to create a customized cake for her daughter’s birthday. She was slowly building her name in the community and words were easily spread all throughout. Those words brought her back to reality and gave the kind woman a gentle small smile.

“I really love baking. Thank you for trusting me on this, too.” She sincerely replied.

“I’ll surely help you market your pastries and cakes, then. Maybe you can give me your portfolio so I can share it with my friends.” Mrs. Johnson excitedly told her. That made Leila ecstatic.

“Sure, Mrs. Johnson. I’d do that. Thank you for giving me an idea.” Her voice was filled with happiness and anticipation.

Leila was walking absentmindedly down the street a few more blocks away from her house. She didn’t use her bicycle because the cake was just so big and heavy that it might be ruined, so she just assiduously took the ten minutes’ walk away from her house. It was all worth it, though. She was busy staring at the full moon, watching her every move. She loved how it shines so brightly in the midst of darkness.

But the moment it was hidden in the dark clouds, someone had grabbed her from behind. She yelped, but whoever it was instantly covered her mouth with his filthy hands. He was so strong that he immediately dragged her out of the road. The attacker forcibly moved towards the dark forest.

Leila was so scared that her eyes instantly moistened. She was praying so hard for her life. Whoever was trying to kidnap her was just so strong. She regretted the times that she disregarded entering the taekwondo class, when her mother offered her to enroll. She even regretted bringing her baseball bat with her. She could hardly breathe so she tried to calm her nerves. She needed to get away and to make that happen, she needed to think hard and fast.

Leila gathered her strength to step on the foot of whoever her attacker was. She tried to escape, but he grabbed her long wavy hair and forcibly dragged her down the ground. She felt pain in her knees and elbow because of the harsh impact. She let out a hurtful sob as she tried to stand up and ran away, but the attacker grabbed her both arms and tied it together with a thick rope.

“Help!” She agonizingly yelled. “Help me! Please!” She helplessly cried but a loud laugh resonated in her ears – making her look at whoever her attacker was.

“Even though you scream at the top of your lungs, no one would hear you.” A familiar voice sarcastically commented – making her heart beat crazily. Her eyes turned into thin slits as she tried to look at his face, but the darkness wasn’t helping her.

“Who are you?!” She furiously exclaimed.

The man sarcastically chuckled. “Oh, dear Leila. You just left home and you have already forgotten all about me, huh?” The man mockingly replied as he stepped out of the darkness. Under the bright full moon, she was able to recognize who it was – her eyes widened in shock and fright.

“Donovan…” She lowly uttered. Her tears flowed down from her eyes down to her cheeks. She felt disgusted and scared.

It was none other than her stepfather, Donovan Harrow. He was the main reason why she left home and decided to live independently even though it hurt her so much. He was always giving her malicious stares, and at night, he always tried to open her door – that she even bought an install three more locks just to feel safe.

Unfortunately, he always found ways to touch her hand and arms – and worst – her bottom when her mother, Sheila, wasn’t around. She was just so furious and disgusted that she decided to live independently, for she couldn’t find the strength to tell it to her mom. She couldn’t find it in her heart to ruin her stepbrother’s father and their relationship.

Now, she thought she had already gotten away from him, but he resorted to this kind of thing.

“What do you want?” She asked while gritting her teeth. She needed him to talk as she tried to untie the rope in her hands.

Donovan let out a hearty chuckle. “That was so obvious, my love. I want you.” He smugly answered.

She wanted to puke. How could he do this to her? Even to her mom?

“You’re sick!” She angrily yelled.

“Whatever you say, dear Leila. I wanted to collect your debts. I am the one who raised you. Now, that you’ve grown up so stunningly beautiful, I wanted you.” He maliciously said those words as he touched her face.

“F*ck you!” She cursed at him as she helplessly stared at him. The knot he had put in her hands was just too tight that it was making it hard for her to untie it. She was feeling pessimistic now.

“You don’t even try to think of my mom?! How dare you do this!” She bitterly accused him.

He just smirked at her. “Your mom was aging, dear. I wanted a new one.” He seriously told her as he licked his lips and looked at her entire body using his ghastly stares.

“No. No, please… Don’t do this…” She eagerly pleaded. But it was making Donovan more turned on that he grabbed her hair and sniffed it.

“I just so love your smell, you know.” He whispered before running his filthy tongue over her left cheek.

Leila shut her eyes tightly. She could feel the hair at the back of her head stand up because of pure repugnance.

“Beg, Leila… I want to hear your sweet pleadings.” Donovan whispered into her ear.

She opened her eyes and clenched her fists before hardly biting his ear. Donovan automatically cried and slapped her hard – wounding her lips and cheek. She finally untied the rope!

“You b*tch!” He irritably spat while holding his bloody ear. He was about to hurt her when they heard a loud growl. It was so eerie that her heart almost stopped beating.

Before she could even run, a huge dark brown-furred wolf appeared in between them. Leila was rooted to the ground while Donovan tried to get a stick and whipped the wolf. It let out a furious snarl – showing its bared long canines.

Donovan’s eyes widened in horror, and without thinking twice, he instantly ran away – leaving her with the enormous wolf. Should she be thankful? Or should she be praying now; for she might be its next prey?

The massive wolf stared at her and groaned before leaving her stunned in the middle of the woods.