Ethan

Thank God I was the sheriff of this town, though it hardly mattered as I drove like a bat out of hell. I didn't care about speed limits or how many tickets I might rack up; all that mattered was Adeline's safety. The sound of her screaming pierced my heart, sending chills through my entire body. Her phone was still connected, and I could hear her frantically scrambling, desperately trying to protect herself. Every thud against the door sent my pulse racing, amplifying my need to reach her.

If there was one thing I was determined to do once I found her, it was to get a damn tracker for her. Better yet, I wouldn't let her out of my sight ever again. Seeing the hurt on her face after I kissed Katherine had felt like a knife to the gut. I'd nearly lost it before confronting Katherine and racing after Adeline, but I'd lost her and only knew the general direction she had gone in. I needed to explain everything to her, but I knew damn well what it looked like. Katherine and I had a fling during our junior year; it had meant nothing then, and it meant nothing now. But how could I convince Adeline of that?

The path ahead led us toward the haunted forest that encircled the town, an area notorious for its whispers of danger. I didn't know much about this part of Hollowbrook, but as a teenager, I had heard stories of voices and dares, where kids dared one another to venture into the woods. It was a silent rule in our town: don't enter the forest. It was said that bad things happened here back during the early settlement days, but nobody could ever confirm it.

But why Adeline was heading this way was lost on me. I had Beast at my side, sniffing the ground, trying to track her scent. We couldn't see her car or anything else that might lead us to her, and my body was tensed with fear.

Just before her call came through, I had received a text from one of my brothers-in-arms, a skilled hacker who had dug up some intel. Addy's family owned a cabin they visited often when she was younger. I raced back to my truck, and as I began driving, her call came through. My blood ran cold with fear like nothing I had ever felt before. I was usually the calm, level-headed one, but the thought of her alone and scared in the dark made me lose my shit. She was the only one who could bring this out in me.

"Ethan..." she whispered into the phone, relief flooding her voice. "Someone... is here with me." The growl that escaped my throat was primal as I pressed the gas harder. I could hear the fear in her voice, and then came the scream that nearly stopped my heart.

I listened intently as the sound of glass breaking echoed through the phone, followed by Adeline's frantic movements. She had dropped the phone, and I gripped the steering wheel harder, knowing I was almost there but terrified I would be too late. I had faced black ops missions and seen death all around me, but in this moment, I was praying to God I could save the only woman I cared about more than anything.

"Oh God... oh God... please, Ethan, hurry!" Adeline's voice was now a desperate whisper as she panted softly. I had to know what I was getting into. "Baby girl, I'm almost there... where are you? What's going on?" I barked into the phone, urgency lacing my words. I would ask for her forgiveness after this was all over, but right now, I needed to know she was safe.

"I—I was able to get to the bedroom, and I'm under the bed... the door is locked, and I'm scared the person is trying to get in." There was a loud thud, followed by a small gasp and a whimper from Adeline.

"T-they are trying to break down the door..." Her words ignited my anger, and I slammed the truck into park, cutting off the lights. I was just a few feet back from the trees, and I didn't want to alert whoever was threatening my woman.

I nodded to Beast, who was alert and ready, and pulled the gun from the back of my jeans. He and I had been together since he was a pup; he understood my body language and signals. I slowly lowered myself down, my gun in front of me as we approached the cabin. The soft glow inside was like a beacon in the darkness, while I listened to the soft breaths and sobs of Adeline through the phone.

I edged closer, listening for any indication of where the attacker was, but it was eerily quiet. I took cover behind a tree, peering toward the cabin. Had the attacker realized I was close? Beast looked to the left of the cabin, focusing intently on something near the lake beside it. "What is it, boy?" I whispered, and he growled softly.

"Ethan? Ethan, are you there?" Adeline's voice pulled me back to the phone. "Yeah, baby... tell me what's going on."

"Uhm... I don't know. The noises stopped, but I heard footsteps. I didn't know if it was you or not..." she whispered, her fear palpable.

"Stay where you are; I'm going to take a look around," I instructed, knowing I had to act quickly.

"Wait... no! What if you get hurt? You don't know who this crazy person is!"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Don't worry... stay safe. I'll knock three times when it's clear." I hung up, heart pounding, ready to confront whatever waited for me inside.

*** *** ***

Adeline

Ethan was here. The thought kept replaying in my mind as I squeezed beneath the bed, my body trembling. I clutched the phone to my chest, praying he wouldn't get hurt. My heart raced, the darkness of the cabin pressing in around me. I didn't know how Ethan had found me or how anyone knew I was here, but I held on to the hope that he would come for me. He wouldn't let anything happen to me.

It felt like an eternity, but then there were three knocks at the door, sending a rush of relief through me. I crawled from my hiding spot, nearly sprinting to the door and unlocking it before Ethan could knock again. I flung it open and launched myself into his arms, not caring about the cold air whipping around us or that I might weigh too much. All that mattered was that I was safe in his embrace.

"Fuck, Adeline..." He held me tightly, resting his head on top of mine. "Please tell me you're okay... please, I need to know." His voice was laced with worry, and I clung to him, trying to convey all the emotions I couldn't put into words.

"I'm fine," I finally managed to say, my voice cracking. "Scared, but I'm okay." I leaned down to pet Beast, who was anxiously nudging at our legs.

Ethan's eyes searched mine, filled with a storm of emotions—fear, relief, and something deeper that made my heart race. He seemed to gather himself, his grip tightening on me as if he feared I might disappear.

"Let's go inside, please," I suggested softly, desperate for the warmth of the cabin and the comfort of being near him.

He nodded, lifting me effortlessly off the ground again, and I didn't protest. I needed him to hold me, to know I was safe. As he locked the door behind us, I felt a sense of security wash over me, but I knew we had to talk about what had happened.

Once inside, he began cleaning up the broken glass, his movements purposeful. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. I wanted to address the kiss I'd seen earlier, but how could I, when I felt so fragile?

"I was so scared," he finally admitted, his voice thick. "When I heard your scream, it felt like my heart stopped. I thought I was going to lose you."

My breath caught. "I thought I was going to die," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "I was terrified, Ethan. I didn't know if you'd come for me."

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering, igniting warmth in my chest. "I will always come for you," he promised, sincerity pouring from him. "I don't care what happens; I will always protect you."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, shielding me from the fears that lingered. As the fire crackled softly, we sat in a silence filled with unspoken promises and a bond only growing stronger.

"I don't want to lose you," I admitted, my voice trembling. "Not now, not ever. But... what was that kiss with Katherine about? You can't just pretend it didn't happen."

He drew in a deep breath, tension creeping back into his shoulders. "It was a mistake, Addy. A stupid mistake. I didn't think she would corner me like that, and I never wanted it to mean anything."

I could see the guilt etched on his face. "You have to believe me. I want you. I've always wanted you."

His admission sent a thrill through me, but uncertainty clouded my heart. "What if she tells people? What if this becomes another reason for the town to talk about us?"

"Let them talk," he replied, frustration evident. "What matters is us, right now. You and me. I don't care about the gossip, and neither should you. I'm done playing games."

As the fire flickered, I realized our relationship was changing, the road ahead uncertain. But for now, in the warmth of the cabin and the glow of the flames, I was willing to embrace whatever came next.

We lay together, the firelight casting shadows on the walls, enveloped in a bubble of safety. I wanted to linger in this moment, to forget the chaos outside. But a nagging thought echoed in my mind—what was lurking in the darkness?

Just then, Beast growled softly, his ears perked up. Ethan's gaze snapped toward the window, and I felt my heart race again. "What is it, boy?" he whispered, his protective instincts kicking in once more.

"Ethan?" I asked, anxiety creeping back in.

"Stay here," he instructed, rising to his feet. He moved toward the window, his silhouette framed by the flickering firelight.

As he peered outside, I could see the tension in his muscles. He was on high alert, and it sent shivers down my spine.

"Stay close," he said, glancing back at me. "I'll be right back."

With that, he slipped outside, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the crackling fire. I hugged the blanket around me tightly, feeling the warmth fade as uncertainty filled the room.

What if there was more lurking in the shadows than just a simple kiss or a misunderstanding? As I waited for Ethan to return, I couldn't shake the feeling that this night was only the beginning of something far more complicated—a danger that threatened not just our budding relationship, but our very lives.