Fight or Flight

Maya's POV"Let him go," I told them quickly, panting, stepping in beside Theresa. "Please."Regan and Andrew refused to move, though. Their eyes were still on him, and they kept closing the distance between them.Tell us who told you to spy on Maya," Regan commanded, his tone as cold as ice.The man let out a harsh snort of laughter. "You think I'm going to spill it, easy? I'm not a moron.""You're not going anywhere," Andrew growled. "So talk.".The man again flashed the knife, his eyes wild with rebellion. "The last person who ever tried to speak ended up dead, you know? Or did you somehow forget about Ben?"The words struck like a punch, and I could sense Theresa flinch beside me."No one's going to hurt you," Theresa told him softly, her hands lifted in a gesture as if to push someone back from the edge. "If you tell us the truth, we can protect you.""Protect me?" he laughed. "You think you can? You can't even protect yourselves."Andrew inched forward again."I said not one s

Last Updated : 2025-07-29

The Swim

Maya povI didn't respond.The door closed behind him, muffled the voice of his threat, but damage had already been done.Regan's eye flashed up. "What was that about?""Nothing," I said quickly.Andrew stepped forward. "He was addressing you, Maya.""Probably just attempting to scare me," I said, attempting a smile that had no hope of making it to my eyes.Theresa did not say a word, but I could feel her gaze still on me.The wheels skidded away, red brake lights disappearing into the woods.I breathed in deeply.The threat lingered in my head.And now that the police were involved, and my friends were accusing me more and more by the second, it was only a matter of time before the news got around."Let's return to the party. Everyone must be seeking us."Theresa nodded, clearly relieved. "At least one of them has been apprehended. That's something."But I wasn't prepared to budge yet. My feet felt rooted to the ground of the forest, my heart pounding from the last statement by the g

Last Updated : 2025-07-29

A Crocodile

Maya povPanic shut over my lungs. I kicked with everything I had and broke the surface with a tearing gasp."Maya? What did you see?" Theresa was already swimming backward toward the shore."Swim," I spat. "Now. Fast.""What is it?!""Crocodile!"Her eyes went wide, and she didn't need any more explanation.We both turned and started swimming hard, water slapping our faces and splashing behind us as we kicked toward the bank.I didn't dare look back. Every horror movie I had ever watched flooded my mind. I just kept going, faster, faster, until my feet reached rock bottom and I scrambled out of the water.Theresa was close behind me, panting."Oh my God," she was able to say, "I thought you were kidding.""I don't kid about things that can eat me alive."I turned back to the river and scanned the surface. It was still again."Did anyone else catch a glimpse of it?" Theresa breathed, whispering.I shook my head. "I don't think so. But we need to warn the others. That thing is huge.""

Last Updated : 2025-07-30

The Rescue

Maya's POV"Come on!" Andrew shouted, pulling my hand.I didn't protest, I couldn't. My legs still shook, but I let him pull me back to shore through the water, we both of us swimming.My heart refused to slow down. I was constantly glancing over my shoulder, waiting for Regan to materialize.Then I heard Theresa's voice."I see them!" She shouted.I spun around, almost choking on water. She was standing at the shoreline, gesturing out into the distance. "Regan!" she screamed again. "He's got her!"And there he was.Struggling hard, battling through the current with the girl slung over his shoulder. Blood flowing behind them like a second shadow."Oh my God," I whispered, fear and relief churning in my throat.Andrew let me go and swam towards them, swimming quickly. "Theresa, call an ambulance!" he shouted as he passed by.Theresa was already fumbling for her phone, her hands shaking like crazy.I ran along the riverbank, barefoot and soaking wet, until I could see them pulling her

Last Updated : 2025-07-31

Back Home

Maya's POVThe return trip was quiet at first. The kind of quiet that follows something gigantic and life-altering has just happened.Andrew gripped the wheel tightly, the headlights slicing through the night, and the wind moaning off the slightly broken windows.I was in back, beside Theresa, surrounded by her borrowed sweatshirt and still dripping from the river.I rested my head against the window, watching the trees pass by.My mind continued to revert to the river, the blood, the screaming, that girl being dragged under, and then Regan carrying her around like a wounded hero. I wasn't even aware of how hard I was gripping the edge of the seat until Theresa pushed me."Hey," she whispered. "You okay?"I nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just thinking."I waited for a moment before I asked, "You sleeping at my place tonight? Or to your apartment?"Theresa positioned herself on the couch, drew her arms out in front of her. "I'll stay at yours," she said. "But I'll make a quick dash by my pla

Last Updated : 2025-08-01

Home

Maya's POVMe: What? No. That's not it.What the actual hell?I glared at his response again, expecting my mouth to drop open. Is that where his head went first?Of all the things we were handling, pregnancy was his first thought?Another message arrived right behind it.Professor Logan: Then what is it?I breathed deeply and typed again, my fingers slightly shaking.Me: I met a man today, by the river. The police arrested him,. he was one of the men who played a part in Ben's death. But he knows. He knows about us. About you and me. He said it in front of me.It took him long enough to respond this time.Three dots.Then they disappeared.Then reappeared.Then disappeared again.I could have sworn I saw him walking where he was.I paced, too, up and down the pavement, chewing on my thumbnail.When the reply finally came, it wasn't what I had been hoping for.Professor Logan: You have to keep your cool. Did he say anything to anyone else?Me: No. Just me. But he was scowling at me l