C8| Michael Redford

“No need to wait, I’ll accompany Scarlet out for a walk.” A deep voice interrupted our fun, Mel froze a step away from her destination, shoulders tense and I could have sworn I saw Melanie flinch at the sound of her brothers voice. Strange.  

“Good day, Michael.” I offer my greeting as I turn away from Melanie and her strange reaction to her brother’s voice. 

And there he was, leaning against the door frame with that almost wicked smirk that seem permanently fixed to his face dressed in a white cotton suit, arms crossed over he’s chest stood Michael Redford.  

Michael as always was neatly dressed and perfectly handsome with his clean shaven cheeks and dark green eyes that lingered on he’s sisters back. I could not make out the expression they held but whatever it was, it felt slightly sinister, maybe the siblings got into a fight. 

As I have no siblings of my own, I am unsure of the etiquette involving disputes. Ignoring the obvious tension between them, I tell Michael that I am fine to wait for Melanie. Happy to share in her joy of trying on dress to impress her love interest and handsome as he is, I sure did not want to get in the middle of their sibling dispute.  

That and if we spotted together, I was sure that by noon today the whole town would be gossiping about a courtship between us. I shuddered to think of my mother’s response, I am not sure whether she’d be disappointed with the gossip or worse happy that I was seen with future Mayor Michael Redford Junior.   

“I am sure Melanie doesn’t mind,” He insisted pinning me in place with his dark eyes. “Do you, Mel?” He asked eyes snapping back to he’s sister. Melanie swung around her face pale as a ghosts, locking eyes with her brother I could have swear I saw hatred in her eyes but that was surely just a trick of the light. They stared at each other for a moment a silent conversation taking place between them . I wondered if I had been blessed with a brother or sister if we’d had silent talks with our eyes. It was a happy thought until I remembered what my mother was like, she’d probably be just as cold and disapproving to them as she was to me.  

“Don’t worry, Mel. I’ll bring her back,” Michael’s smooth voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “safe and sound.” Were my ears playing tricks too or did that sound almost mocking. 

God, I really didn’t want to be in the middle of this.

“You can even join us down by the lake once your done.” Michael spoke with a finality I never knew him capable of, a sense of foreboding settled in my gut. 

Tilting my head towards Mel, I prayed she’d say; ‘No, we’ll meet you down there when I’m done.’  

But what she really said was; “Of course, I’ll see you both shortly then.” Michael did not wait for my response, he merely stepped forward and offered me his hand. I really did not want to be see out alone with Michael Redford but it would be rude to turn him down.

The air outside was hot and dry but fresh and calming, we walked in awkward silence through the patio doors and over the lawn toward the sparse tree line. It would be a short walk to the lake, the body of water just one the other side of the small wood. “What made you decide to take a walk today, Michael? I thought you’d be out with your friend or studying with your father?” He did always seem to be busy and had a habit of disappearing during parties too.

Side stepping a protruding root I turn to face him, but Michael was gone. Strange, did I lose him between the tree. No don’t be foolish Scarlet there aren’t enough trees here for that.  

He was most likely trying to scare me. Yes, that was it. Not very gentlemanly but Mel was always telling me about the pranks he would pull on her when they were younger. 

“Michael?” I called turning in a slow circle but finding nothing. I shrieked as arms suddenly tighten around my waist lifting me off the floor. "You know, you’re very beautiful, sweet Scarlet." He whispered in my ear, voice laced with hidden promise. Instantly I become uncomfortable, this was not appropriate. If someone saw us like this it would a huge scandal, “Let go.” I pushed at his arms coiled around me like snakes. “Stop this, Michael this isn’t funny. Let go.” I demanded but still he did not release me. I did not like this, not one bit.

“You even smell sweet, sweet Scarlet.” Michael sniffed my hair, running his nose down the side of my neck. I felt sick to my stomach. “Stop this,” I mean to yell at him but it came out more of a whisper. Afraid and trembling I beat at this arms around my waist. “Let go, your hurting me.” I said firmer this time, letting him know that his joke was not at all funny.  

But what if it’s not a joke? The second the thought formed in my head, Michael released his hold on me. With my heart in my throat I jumped forward spinning around to face him, relieved and ready to scream at him for his horrible idea of a joke. But the second our eyes met I knew with horrible certainty that this was no joke.

I have never seen a man overcome with lust but staring into Michael’s eyes now, I was sure that he was a man overcome. Dread coiled itself my gut, a snake ready to strike and leave me paralysed and helpless, easy pickings for a more dangerous predator.

Silently he watched me, mouth tilting into that familiar wicked smirk. 

I need to leave! To run and never look back.  

But he would catch me and he would enjoy it, chasing me though the woods striking my down from behind. No! I could not show him my back again. I had to find something to fed him off with, at least until Melanie and Nora come looking for us. 

Yet the second I took my eyes off him to look around for a weapon, for anything to defend myself with, he grabbed me. Michael stole the breath from chest as he threw me into a tree I didn’t even know was right behind me. Shocked and terrified I tried to drag the air back into my lungs, black dots spinning in my eyes. 

"Oh sweet girl, foolish little Scarlet.” Michael whispered his breath trickling the skin of my neck, his scent of soap and whiskey made my skin crawl, he made my skin crawl. When I managed to take a decent breath I tried to push him away.

“Get.Off!” I yelled but he was to strong he did not move an inch.  

“Pity.” He said running his finger down my cheek over my jaw and to my collar bone, tearing the sleeve of my dress he’s green eyes shining with a sick pleasure.

“I would have let you live if you were not Scarlet Grey daughter of the town sheriff and my sister best friend but since you are,” He trailed off watching the salty tears fall from my eyes as I realized what he meant. He’d kill me! He’d rape and murder me!  

Terror froze me in place, it was like an out of body experience. I was numb with shock, this was a man I’d known my whole life, who used to watch me and his little sister play dolls together. How had I been so wrong about him? How did I not know? Not sense the depth of his depravity? 

The feel of his hand on my breast forced me back into my body.

“Such beautiful soft skin.” I almost threw up all over him I was sicken. I tried to push him off me once more shoving at this shoulders as hard as I could but he did little more than jerk away a bit before coming right back. He’s disgusting hands clawed at my shirts drawing them up so he could touch the skin of my thighs.  

No! No, I can’t let this happen. I need to stop him.  

I raised my hand as high as I could and slapped him with all my strength, my hand hurt and my skin stung but it seemed to take him by surprise and his grip on me fell. 

I took the opportunity and ran. 

I made it all of 10 steps before Michael pushed me to the ground. The impact shook my skull, tree roots dug into the exposed flesh of my shoulders and arms. Griping my ankles he dragging me towards him kicking and screaming for help and when he flipped on to my back, I stopped screaming, in that moment I knew I had to help myself.