“Oh? Yeah, I get that,” he answered as he swayed back and forth, fists punched uncomfortably in his pockets as his lanky structure coiled up into an elongated ‘S’ shape.
“So, you go to school, right? College?”
“Yeah, I do,” I answered, “I’m studying to become a paralegal.”
“Cool,” he replied, though he seemed distracted by his own thoughts.
“So, do you have a boyfriend?”
The last question caused my stomach to drop uncomfortably.
“Um…Yeah,” I answered, deciding that less information I gave about the fictional boyfriend would be more convincing.
“Oh?” Mitch answered, stepping toward me in a manner that made me feel even more uncomfortable. “Why didn’t he come with you on this trip? Are you guys on the outs or something?”
“No,” I replied, trying to sound convincing, “he…he just doesn’t like the mountains…Or hiking. He thinks its…boring.”
I knew that my voice was cracking as I stepped away from him, hoping that he eventually would change his mind about what he was obviously hinting around, before it was too late.
Although, each of my movements seemed increasingly sluggish and with the thinner air, it was becoming increasingly arduous to breath.
“So, what he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him, right? Don’t you want to do it on a mountain?” Mitch insisted, now becoming seriously direct.
“No,” I insisted, trying not to let my fear translate through my voice, “I’m sorry but I would rather keep our relationship professional.”
By now, I could feel my heart pounding as my whole body shook with terror. I wondered how long it would take me to make it back to civilization but was certain this was the longest portion of the trek with no towns for miles.
I swallowed hard as my eyes searched for something I could use as a weapon.
Yet, my sluggish brain seemed utterly useless, unable to focus on anything, other than my fear.
“Why?” Mitch demanded, now raising his voice significantly as his expression became alight with ire. “What? Am I not good enough for you?”
“Mitch, I said no! I hired you to guide me up the mountain. That’s it!” I exclaimed, trying to turn around and run but getting caught up in the tent.
“Why don’t you just give it a try?” He insisted, stepping closer to me with a hastiness that even my slowed disposition was able to notice.
“No!” I screamed, fighting my way through the tent, trying to get away from him.
However, when I tried to go around the side, Mitch quickened his pace and grabbed me. Although I tried to dodge his grasp, I felt his fingers clasp around my wrist as he yanked me close to him.
Spinning me around, he pinned me up against a nearby tree.
I tried to fight him off, but he grabbed my other wrist and shoved my arms up across my chest.
When I realized that his iron grip, which was surprisingly strong, had rendered my upper body useless, he glared into my eyes as a sinister grin formed on his lips.
“Relax, Carrie. Enjoy it,” he offered in a low, yet threatening voice.
“No!” I exclaimed, one more time as I focused on throwing all my strength into a kick that caught him right in the groin.
The instant I felt his grip loosen, I wriggled my wrists out of his grasp and turned to the side, so that I could run away from him.
“You bitch!” I heard him call as the rustling behind me turned into running.
Without looking back, I darted into the woods. Instantly, the run caused me to feel sick to my stomach but hearing a dog barking, I held out hope that I might be closer to help than I thought. Even though I didn’t see any sign of human life, the sound of the dog, at least, what I hoped was a dog, helped me press on through my waning resolve.
Behind me, I heard twigs cracking and limbs breaking. Hard, angry breaths and groans followed close behind and I knew that Mitch was still cashing me.