Prey

"Wow."
"Yup." I finish off my bottle and stand up. As I scan the room, I make eye contact with River. He's staring at me from the back, leaning against the wall. How could I have not noticed how good he looks tonight. Under all these lights, his clothes, his hair, his eyes. There's a girl trying to approach him, craving his attention. I smile at him but he doesn't smile back. I think he's looking at me like that so I awkwardly walk away, in search of the birthday girl.

I know that there was going to be a firework display soon, and I was so looking forward to that. I hope Rolf would have sobered up by then, because I wanted to enjoy it with him but judging by all the bottles being passed around in that group of his - it seems highly unlikely. As I was walking around the property, I come across the lake once more. The moon is bright tonight, and full. So full. Its light draws me close to the water. The reflection is majestic. I take a deep breath, the faint smell of alcohol lingering in the otherwise clean air.

For the first time in a while, I allow my hand to touch my stomach. The bump has more or less disappeared but she's still there. Willow will always be there.
"Hey."
I gasp in surprise, and my heart beats rapidly as I discover Alex behind me.
He puts his hands up.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He tried to give me a gentle smile but it ends up looking like a smirk and he walks closer to me. It's a bit too close for comfort and we're all alone out here. I realise I've stepped quite a distance away from the party.
"It's alright, I was just admiring the lake." I smile before turning around. The hairs on the back of my neck stand, as he makes his way next to me. Since Raven's near enough warning of these guys, I remind myself to be on guard.

"Ahhh. It is nice out here. I understand why you'd much rather be out here than in there." He chuckles and he stretches, making a show of his biceps. Not working, buddy.
"It is. But I think I've had my fill, so I'm just gonna-
"Woah, I've only come. Stay a while."
As I try to walk past him, he takes my hand in his with that stupid smile still on his face. But I see past it now and try to let go.
"No, I think I'm going to go back in."
"Hold on there." He pulls me harshly against him and I'm helpless as those strong looking biceps grip themselves around me. I feel like a prey to a hungry anaconda.
"Alex, stop. I don't want this." I say breathlessly, avoiding his face as he kept leaning forward.

"What? I'm not doing anything. See?" He lets go of me. I stay still for a second, fear running through me and shock as he did just let me go. I felt frozen, like he was mocking me and waiting for the chase. One thing that scares me so much that it near enough sickens me is the thought of being chased. So, like a deer caught in headlights I stand still.
"Well, go on. I'll give you a head start."
His devilish smile is wide, and teeth gleam white in the dark.

Instead of running for my life, I walk backwards. This way I can see where he is and how close.
"Just stay away."
Of course he walks forward. His steps match mine. Once I notice, I stop and feel the water touch the backs of my feet. Alex then carries on and I'm scared stiff, stuck between him and the lake.

"Now how can I stay away from a pretty girl like you? You're all alone at this party. We don't get ones like you here. Trust me, I've tried them all."
He sucks his finger and releases it with a pop. I hide my cringe and hold my breath.
"Come on, let's have some fun." He tries to take my hand again but this time I jump back. I stumble on my feet and fall into the water. Alex leans down, like he wanted to climb on top as we were still in shallow water. But then a voice shouts out.
"Hey! Get away from her!"
I'm silent, afraid to make a sound still as Alex jumps back as this person then pummels him into the ground.
It transforms into a brawl. I stand up, wanting to help River as he lands on top, punching Alex in the face repeatedly.
"Get back to the house!"
"But, let me help."
Regrettably, that distracted River and Alex was advantageous.

I was so scared at this point, helpless. I needed to get help.
Alex then delivers a terrible blow to River's face and I scream in shock. He lies there, bleeding and still, barely breathing. Alex then stands up painfully slow, and wipes away the blood from his mouth.
"Run."

...

Fahmeen's POV:

I did as he said, I ran.
I was no help to River alone, so I went in the direction of the house hoping I'd bump into someone on the way at least. As I'm running I can feel him behind me. He's given me a head start like he promised, but I knew he'd catch up soon enough. I could never outrun a creature like that. As I'm breathing hard, my wet dress stuck to my body, the ends of my hair drying in the wind; I feel for my phone. Nothing.
"Shit!"

When did the lake get bigger? And just how far out did I go? I've always been a wanderer, often winding up lost and far away from where I was supposed to be. But this was not the time. Not when he was chasing me.
I hear the heavy footsteps and measured panting, he's getting closer.

"Alex, stop! Please!"
I make one last attempt to reach out to his humanity. I expected some sort of evil laugh but he's silent, which makes it all the more scarier. Like he's deeply concentrating. Tears fill my eyes imagining the state of River lying there, alone and in pain.

Finally, figures become clearer. The distance is little between me and the house.

"Gotcha."
He grabs my waist and pulls me down to the ground. We end up struggling, me pushing at his chest and using my voice to grab attention. Alex silences me with his hand and uses his knees to trap my body underneath his. It's like a tight sleeping bag, I'm struggling to breathe and I can't move. Failure is dawning on me as my body begins to cave beneath his fighting body. The heavy weight forces me to succumb like a lamb to a lion. His eyes are gleaming with sadistic joy, and his hands go straight to underneath my dress.
"Don't do this."
"Please don't."

"I've tasted everyone. Now it's your turn."
He keeps using the same words and getting into this alternate mind frame. It's wholly unnerving and unreal. I feel as if he transcends into another state to subdue any human side that would object to his twisted fantasies.

I didn't hear him coming. Alex gets pulled off of me by the real animal. I've never seen him this angry before and my eyes can hardly watch him ruin his prey the way he does.
That wide back is huddled over the limp, cowardly body and furiously beating it down mercilessly. There's a crowd gathering. Some shrieks, shouts and cries. This isn't the party I remember.

"Rolf leave him! We need to help River!"
I don't wait for him to follow and I make my way back. Others follow, some calling the emergency services.
Over my shoulder I see Rolf take one last disgusted look at the mess on the floor. He's still alive, barely. Rolf then makes eye contact with me. For a split second it softens. There's blood stains all over his shirt and I see that he's fully sober now. His gaze quickly scans my body before becoming cold once more. He was coming too.

...

"Where is he?!"
The pebbles were disturbed but the water, still. It was only me and Rolf that came all the way out to where River was last seen.
Rolf breathes heavy behind me, scanning the area.
"Are you sure this-
"Yes! It was right here. He... he was right here."

As I look out across the lake, I suppose it was my imagination that made it out to be a lone figure watching me from the trees. I was scared for River and after what just happened. Never had I experienced something like that, someone wanting to attack me so viscously.
Rolf carefully comes behind. I know it's him so I'm not afraid as he kisses my shoulder.
"We'll find him. Come on."
I take his hand and we go in search of River.

...

Found him

He's very weak, and alone. I think he attempted to find his way back or get some sort of help, but judging by his injuries there was no chance he'd have gotten far. We've been walking for a good few minutes before we come across River lying there with his eyes closed. He's in a lot of pain.
"Hey man." Rolf approaches him cautiously, worried eyes checking the damage done to his body. I'm behind him, desperate to be of help. River slowly opens his eyes and they watch Rolf first, a sense of reassurance settles in. Rolf kneels down and so do I. I'm not sure what to make of his injuries, were they dire or did they just look more scary than it actually was?

I look at Rolf and his eyes tell me they're really bad.
River struggles as he speaks,
"I'm glad you're here. It makes it less... painful."
I didn't expect him to say that, at least not to me. His eyes are wide open now and stare at me, full of an emotion I can't put my finger on.
"Are you okay?" He asks, taking my hand in his. I think he may be hallucinating, believing I'm someone else. Concerned, I look at Rolf. He's fighting himself, I see the way his jaw is clenched, eyes hard. He's fighting himself from even taking my hand away from River's.

"I'm okay, River. You came just in time." I stroke the side of his face and his eyes close at the touch. I open up his shirt and see dark bruising beneath the skin of his chest. Dried blood lines the sides of his mouth. Alex really hurt him.
"They're here buddy. They're gonna patch you up brand new and there'll even be a hot nurse waiting to feed you grapes every morning. You just have to stay awake for me, alright?"

River chuckles, it was difficult for him to do and for us to watch.
"I don't need the nurse. She'll take care of me." He gestures my way. I feel Rolf tense next to me as I'm surprised he'd just said that. I put my hand on his arm to reassure him.
"We'll take care of you, River. Don't worry about that." I smile at him, hoping to ease his worries and pain.

Finally, the paramedics arrive and we watch him being immediately treated. River is fully awake now and keeps his eyes trained on me from the gurney and I find myself unable to look away. Even as I feel Rolf hold onto my hand the tightest he ever has.