Six

BREA POV 

"I know what you plan to do Brea" Markus's voice whispered into my ear, his body hovering over mine. My hands stilled under the running water and I managed not to flinch. I hadn't heard him move, and I'd thought he was still at school. "You and your friends already canceled the trip so why did you suddenly push for it when you were with them this afternoon... Was it because of Ryder?" He asked, the annoyance in his voice loud and clear for me to pick up.

I wasn't surprised that he'd been there instead of school. I guess he was getting very good at following me around since I hadn't even sensed him in the vicinity at all, which was as well since I had been very preoccupied with Ryder.

"Don't be ridiculous." I scoffed as I turned off the tap, and met his manic gaze in the mirror. "I don't have to give you an explanation".

I wasn't surprised when he grabbed and yanked me to face him. He was pissed, and the puff of his angry air hitting me in the face made me cringe.

"I deserve an explanation. I already had all our activities for the weekend planned out and now you're just gonna go off with your friends to do God knows what in that stupid woods y'all know is teaming with wildlife".

He was really becoming so delusional that it was starting to get ridiculous. I grinned and that seemed to piss him off further.

"You should have consulted with me first before you made your stupid plan Markus... But what I really don't get is why you'd make them in the first place... why the hell do you think I want to spend any time with you? Is your brain corrupted so much that you've finally lost touch with reality... "

"I still have those pictures, Brea," he cut in, his voice calm and collected. I stared at him as the threat sank in. "And if you push me, I might really show them to Mother this time".

I clenched my fist. It was always the pictures, but the way I saw it, it was either nonexistent or they weren't that incriminating. He was just trying to get under my skin, and it would have worked if he was more confidence, but he was so stupid that it was hard to take him seriously. Nevertheless, I hated being threatened, especially if it involved my parents. 

"And what will you do after Mother finds out, huh, are you going to turn me over to the cops.?"

"See that," he said unbelievably. "You act like I'm the psychopath for wanting you when you go about killing people like it's not a big deal!" He yelled and shook me a little.

"I killed those people because they deserved it... Better be careful Markus, your name is already on my hit list and if you continue threatening me, I might just get rid of you faster than I plan to" I said and he gasped as the scissors I'd picked up pressed against the skin of his throat. His Adam's apple bubbled against the sharp edges of the object, our eyes pinned on each other. 

"You can't get rid of me," he said, stepping closer all of a sudden until his whole body was pressed against mine. I could feel his sickening arousal pressing hard against my stomach and with his harsh intake of air, I could tell he was really enjoying himself. The scissors had cut into his skin but he just groaned, almost as if he was savoring the cut. "You want me as much as I want you, Brea" he growled, his hand reaching up to grab my wrist that held the scissors as if he wanted to crush it. "I am going to have you even if it's your dead body Brea" he stated and leaned in to kiss me. 

"Do that and I'll really shove these scissors in you, Markus," I breathe, the space between us almost non-existent. "I'm sure you know I'm not bluffing," I said and shoved at him with my free hand. I took in the hard bulge in his pant that had pressed heatedly against me while he'd had me trapped. I felt absolutely nothing.

Maybe Ryder was truly my soulmate since he didn't even have to do anything to get my pulse racing. I smirked at the ludicrous situation, but I guess nothing came easy. If I wanted to know the true meaning of happiness- or was it just the thrill that I was seeking - then I'd have to do whatever it takes to get it. I pointed at his pants, a mocking smile on my lips that made his eyes darken dangerously. 

"You are so pathetic, it's sickening," I said and turned to go when he shoved me. The force of it propelled me forward and I crashed into the door. 

I gasped in shock and then yelped when he pulled me up by the hair, my scalp prickling under the tension.

"You are such a bitch! Do you know how much that mouth of yours hurt my feeling? Why don't you give a freaking damn about me" he screamed as I trashed and tried to free myself from his hold.

It was a surprise since he'd never gotten aggressive before. The sudden punches to my gut left me breathless, but at least it got my pulse racing. He shoved me against the mirror and I barely had a chance to breathe before he smacked me hard across the face. 

Deciding I'd had enough, I grabbed hold of his hand and twisted it at an angle that guaranteed that I would be hearing either a pop or a cracking sound.

Markus's sharp inhale of air before he screamed brought a smile to my lips despite the bruises I knew were already forming everywhere he'd hit me. His arm hung loosely and the pain that contorted his face urged me on. I reached for my dagger and his eyes widened in surprise when I pressed it against his throat.

"I told you not to mess with me... Sorry little brother, but your time of grace is up..."

"No, don't..." He screamed then gurgled on his blood as I sliced his throat.

*******"

"Watch out, Brian" Ana screamed and I jerked awake in time to see us crash into a tree.

The force of it had us jerking back and forth and banging against the interior of the car. 

Once everything calmed down, I was majorly pissed because my head freaking ached.

"What the hell, Brian... What were you thinking? You almost got us killed" Ana yelled, her voice so shrill that it felt like I was going to start bleeding out of my ears.

Brian looked dazed as if he couldn't quite decipher where we were, and he was right not to, because, at some point during the drive, he must have taken a wrong turn. We were deep in the wood, and we were not even on the right track. He must have veered off the highway while he dozed off. This wasn't the first time he had done something like this. 

I wanted to curse out loud but I restrained myself. Everything had gone to shit because of Markus. Getting rid of his body had proven really difficult and I was totally prepared to deal with the repercussions when I got back from the trip. Mother would be devasted- when she finds out he ran away- but I didn't give a damn.

I hadn't been able to seat at the back with Ryder as I had planned. He would have seen the bruises on my face if he got a chance to take a closer look. 

Brian had volunteered to drive and since I had to reminisce about the whole ordeal with Markus, I'd sat at the front, my mind wandering. I should have paid more attention when I knew Brian sometimes couldn't help himself from falling asleep while driving.

"I can't believe this... Brea, what the heck! Are you just gonna stare into space... This was your whole idea and now look at this mess" Candice pointed to the wreck, her eyes cold and spiteful.

I stared at the car, then held her gaze. "How is Brian's carelessness my fault?"

"Your job was to watch him!" She yelled, her neck veins bulging.

"Let's calm down ok, this is not Brea's fault. Accident happens... Let's just try to figure out what to do since we're already in this situation" Ryder suggested and my gaze snapped in his direction. Why was he so perfect?

"Ryder's right. This isn't Brea's fault", Ana agreed and gave Brian a pointed look. "It's all his fault".

Candice threw her hands in the air and looked toward Brian who had his head bowed to his chest.

"I'm sorry guys, and you are right Ana, It was all my fault. I dozed off for a second... I swear it was just me shutting my eyes for a little bit, and the next thing I know, we were crashing into this horrible tree. Your car is wrecked, Ryder".

"You didn't just shut your eyes you douchebag" Ana muttered under her breath and I watched as Ryder gave her a chastising look.

"Let's just retrace our steps and find the highway first" I suggested and they all turned to face me.

Ryder nodded. "Brea's right. I mean it's not like anyone of us knows how to fix a car now do we".

"I can try" Brian spoke up but the look Ana directed at him had him shut up.

"We can also just call your repair man," Candice said matter of fact.

"No service. That was the first thing I tried to do" Ana answered then muttered under her breath. "We're not all as dumb as you Candice".

"What did you say" Candice charged and I wanted to scream. I was so done with their nonsense. All I needed was Ryder. The car would never have crashed if it had been just us. Ugh.

I walked away from the group without a word and they followed, Ana complaining under her breath about all the crawly animals that resided in the woods. 

But soon the complaint stopped and I heard their sigh of relief as we saw a group of men just standing up ahead. I made to step toward them when my gaze darted to the three guys that were bound up on the floor, then to the gun that was aimed at their head by a very tall, muscular, and devilish-looking male. 

My eyes widened, my steps halting in shock as the man pulled the trigger, his grin stretched so wide, it sent chills racing down my spine.

The loud bang made me jump, then a scream pierced the air. Candice. The little dumb bitch.

The eyes of the man snapped in my direction and I found myself staring into dark evil pits of orbs that only seem to ooze death and danger.

He raised his gun, his grin still in place as he aimed at me.

My heart froze. Was this how it was all going to end?