Bait

Yeah, I’ll recognise it, sure enough. I’ll grab her right before the entrance to the car park.

And then she’ll meet the monster for real.

I head back to the truck for my final preparations. I take Cameron’s safety seat from the backseat and store it out of view in the trunk. I check what work supplies I have to hand while I’m in there.

The tow rope seems both drastic and tempting, but I like it. I coil it on the passenger seat for easy reach.

I lock the truck and set off on foot. I check for any junctions in the river path on the way back, any potential spots I could lose her. There aren’t any worth worrying about. This route is straight, a rat run of shadows and uneven ground. She’ll be too busy keeping her footing to worry about veering off course.

Perfect.

Twilight has turned to darkness long before I’ve made it back to her apartment block. The glow of the city is ominous across the meadows. Bitter orange and dirty enough to be sinister.

The water ripples and splashes in the blackness down below. The banks are high and thick with undergrowth. A group of kids with bikes hang out at one spot, but they’re already clearing off for the night as I pass by.

I clear a couple of empty drink cans from the path and snap away the occasional branch that hangs down too low.

I feel empowered as I reach the cathedral grounds. She’ll be able to run. Fast. Largely unhindered. Run straight into the trap and she’ll never even know it’s coming.

My balls tighten. My muscles already wired and ready for the chase.

I make sure my boots are fastened tight before I call up my login screen on my mobile, and then I wait.

I watch.

I think about her.

I think of all the things I’m going to do to her sweet little body once she’s too exhausted to run another step.

I know it’s her apartment for sure when a shadow passes across her window. I see the shape of her against the wall inside. Back and forth. Over and over.

Pacing.

She’s pacing.

And my heart is racing.

She’s waiting. Readying herself.

Feeling the fear.

It’s a beautiful observation.

The last fifteen minutes crawl by, but that’s good. I’m lost in the rhythm of her pacing, riding the tremors of anticipation. I can’t wait to sink my dick into that tight little cunt all over again.

I log in at midnight and she’s already signed in.

She stops pacing. Her shadow darts away.

I don’t bother with small talk.

You will leave your apartment. You will be barefoot.

You will head for the cathedral. You will walk slowly through the grounds until you reach the river path.

When you are scared, you will run.

One simple question pings back at me.

Barefoot?

I smile to myself.

Yes, Cinderella. Barefoot.

I wonder if she’s smiling too.

Now? she asks.

I back into the shadows. My eyes firmly on her apartment entrance.

Now.AbigailNow.

I’m dithery as I shove my phone in my handbag. I shove my keys in after it.

I’m dressed in a baby blue summer dress, which I know is stupid at this time of night, but it seemed a good option when I tried it on. It shwooshes as I run and looks so pretty as I twirl. I want to look pretty for him, even though we’ll be in darkness and he probably doesn’t give a shit either way.

My belly flutters as I realise just how much I want to look pretty for him.

My knickers are skimpy and white. My bra is white lace and pokes up over the neckline of my dress.

I don’t bother with a jacket. I somehow suspect I’ll work up quite a sweat.

No shoes.

I take a breath as I head down the stairs, and pause for just a second before stepping onto the street, the pavement cold under my feet. I know exactly the route he means. The view towards the cathedral looks clear.

I wonder where he is. If he can see me. Of course he can. He’s in the shadows, somewhere near.

The thought makes me shiver.

A beat and I walk with purpose, eyes wide and head up, flinching at every shadowy doorway, even though there’s nothing there.

Church Street is narrow and dimly lit. I keep right in the middle between the buildings, focused on nothing other than saving my breath for what’s ahead.

I’m going to need it, and I know it.

I slip through the bollards into the cathedral grounds, and my soul lights up in the darkness. It’s magical. Beautiful.

The cathedral is a beacon of wonder. Lit up in a grandeur I’ve never really appreciated until now. Imposing and petrifying and brilliant all at the same time, looking over me as I stand barefoot in the middle of the night, just waiting to… sin. A crazy bitch sinner.

I’m smiling at the thought and I savour this moment. I want to remember it forever.