After My Fiancé Kissed Her, He Tried to Kill Me

The laughter started as a trickle, then grew into a cascade of cruel mirth that echoed through the forest. Tommy's friends exchanged glances, their faces illuminated by the dying embers of the campfire as they packed up their flashlights.

"Come on, guys," Tommy said, his voice carrying easily in the night air. "Let's head back."

I remained frozen on the ground, my arms wrapped around my single leg, watching as they prepared to leave me behind.

"Tommy," I called out, my voice breaking. "You can't do this."

He paused, looking back at me with something that might have been regret—or maybe just annoyance at being questioned.

"Sienna, this is for your own good," he said, his words dripping with false concern. "You need to face your fears."

Juliana stepped up beside him, her hand sliding possessively around his waist. "Don't worry about her," she said, her voice sweet with malice. "She's tougher than she looks."

One by one, they switched on their flashlights and began walking away, the beams of light cutting through the darkness before disappearing into the trees. The sound of their laughter faded, replaced by the night sounds of the forest—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and something larger moving in the distance.

I was alone.

The darkness pressed in around me like a physical weight. My breath came in short, panicked gasps as memories flooded back—the warehouse where I'd been held as a child, the beatings, the terror of being alone in the dark with no idea if Tommy was still alive.

"Tommy?" I whispered, though I knew he was gone.

The silence answered me.

I forced myself to move, my hands digging into the dirt as I began to crawl. Sharp rocks bit into my palms, and roots caught at my clothes, tearing the fabric and scraping my skin. My stump ached with phantom pain—a cruel reminder of what I'd lost.

"Please," I murmured to no one, "please let me find it."

I had to locate my prosthetic. Without it, I'd never make it back to the cabin. The mountain terrain was too rugged, the trail too steep for someone with one leg—especially at night.

My fingers brushed against something solid—a tree root, not my leg. I moved forward again, feeling blindly in the darkness. A thorny bush tore at my arm, leaving a stinging scratch. I bit my lip to keep from crying out.

The darkness was absolute. No moonlight penetrated the canopy of trees overhead. I might as well have been crawling through a tunnel with no end in sight.

"Sienna?"

The voice startled me. I froze, listening intently.

"Sienna, is that you?"

Juliana's voice. I turned toward the sound, relief flooding through me.

"Juliana," I gasped. "Thank God. Please help me."

A beam of light cut through the darkness, blinding me momentarily. Then I heard footsteps approaching—quick, purposeful steps.

"I came back to help," Juliana said, her voice closer now.

I reached out blindly, my fingers searching for her. "Thank you. I can't find my leg."

A canister hissed in the darkness. Something wet and burning hit my eyes, and I screamed as liquid fire seemed to pour into my skull.

"Pepper spray," Juliana whispered, her voice right next to my ear. "Military grade."

I clawed at my eyes, but the pain only intensified. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the burning chemicals. The world went from dark to completely blind.

"Why?" I choked out between sobs.

"Because you're in the way," Juliana replied calmly.

I heard her moving around me, the rustle of plastic bags and the thud of something heavy being set down.

"Tommy's parents are so obsessed with their precious family image," she continued conversationally. "They'd never let him break the engagement—not after what you did for him as a kid."

My eyes burned so badly I could barely think. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure there's nothing left to rescue," Juliana said.

I heard liquid splashing around me, the metallic scent of blood filling the air.

"The wolves will find you soon," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "They'll be drawn to the blood."

Panic surged through me as I realized what she was doing—creating a circle of bloody meat around me.

"Tommy will be free of you by morning," Juliana continued. "And I'll be there to comfort him."

Her fingers brushed my cheek in a mock caress. "Don't worry about dying alone, Sienna. The wolves will make sure nothing's left behind."

I heard her footsteps retreating, crunching on the forest floor until they faded into silence.

All that remained was the burning in my eyes, the blood surrounding me, and the distant howl of something large and hungry moving through the darkness.