Hating You (Blackthorn Elite 1)

I think about the first time Willow saw me here, and how I told her about attending. I smile at the memory. I knew then that I would do whatever it took to get my revenge. After the last few days, that’s gotten harder for me. I can’t get to her if she’s hiding in her dorm.

But with Alice gone, there is nothing in my way. There is nothing stopping me from walking into that room and taking what I want. What I deserve. The thought has me on edge but in a good way. Like when you’re on the crest of the big hill on the roller coaster, about to go over the top and down at a ninety-degree angle. I’m so excited, I almost can’t wait until she’s asleep. The energy rippling through me makes me want to get up and run laps around the room.

Looking into her window from the park across the dorm, I test my patience by waiting for her to turn off her lights. The seconds tick by, each one like a grain of sand falling from my hand and floating away in the breeze. I watch curiously as she sits on her bed, gazing down at something in her hands. Her face is downcast, and what appears to be a frown appears on her lips, then again at this distance, I can’t really tell.

For some reason, I feel this tightness spread throughout my chest, wondering if she feels as alone as I do? Don’t. I tell myself. If I feel bad for her, then I might as well be agreeing with her, and the shitstorm she brought down on my family. No way in hell I’m doing that. She’s the liar. My brother is innocent, paying for another man’s crimes.

Another second ticks by. I tap my pencil a little faster, a little harder. My impatience mounts. Then, almost like she can tell I’m waiting, she turns the light off, and the room descends into darkness. My lips pull up into a smile that only I can feel the real joy of. I wait another ten minutes for good measure. I want her to be asleep. That’s going to make this way more fun. The hunt is part of the thrill.

Walking into the dorms, I act as if I belong there, and I suppose I do. If it weren’t for my father, this place would’ve gone under. So, in a way, this entire place belongs to my family and me. Which means no one can tell me to leave or to stop.

Getting antsier by the second, I take the steps two at a time until I reach her floor. Heading straight for her door, I fist the key card in my hand, the plastic biting into my palm. When I get to the door, I slowly slide the card through the slot, watching the small light turn green. Bingo. As quietly as I can, I push the door open. It doesn’t even creak as I tiptoe into the room.

Stepping over the threshold, her unique scent washes over me, and stops me dead in my tracks. Damn her for being so tempting. As strange as it is, her smell calms my heated blood, and I automatically suck in a deep breath like it’s a drug, and I’m an addict. A few more calming breaths, and I’m able to move again.

It’s completely dark in the room, with only the dim light from the window to guide me, I can see the outlines of the furniture. Strange how our finest moments seem to happen in the dark. I close the door behind me, just as quietly as I opened it, my ears straining as I listen for her to make any noise. When I hear nothing besides her even breathing, I smirk. She’s asleep, sound asleep, just as I’d hoped. Silently, I walk toward her bed, the shadows of the room protect me, and I stop when I’m only a foot away. Even if she opened her eyes right now, she wouldn’t see me.

Like the total creep I am, I stand there and watch her for a second, until my eyes have adjusted to the darkness, and I can see the contours of her perfect face better. My muscles ache, and a knot twists deep in my gut. My heart is pounding against my ribs so furiously, I’m surprised she hasn’t woken from the noise.

Taking one final exhale, I get ready to strike. I count down in my head. Three. Two. One. Like a feral cat stalking its prey, I pounce on her. Positioning myself on top of her, I slap a hand over her mouth to muffle the screams that are soon to come.

Her whole body goes rigid for a second before she turns into a wild banshee, having realized that whatever is happening isn’t just a nightmare, but reality. As I had suspected, she starts to wail, very much like a pig, but not much noise gets past my hand. Her struggle turns me on. Her fear, which I can already smell permeates the air, soaking into every pore.