Chapter 2

 

As darkness took over, I grabbed a can of beans and pried it open, placing it over the fire. As I waited for them to cook, I got the weird feeling that someone was watching me. I looked out at the tree line, but I couldn’t spot anything overly suspicious.

 

Still, I grabbed my pocket knife just in case. I knew it wouldn’t do much, but it gave me a sense of security nonetheless.

 

However, I was forced to put it down as I started eating. The feeling of being watched never quite went away. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on edge and there were goosebumps all over my arms. “Hello?” I called out, hoping it was just another traveler who had lost their way. “Is anyone there?”

 

There was no answer.

 

The beans lost their flavor as I started to worry. My heart was beating fast, making it hard to focus.

 

Suddenly, I heard a tree branch snapping nearby. I got to my feet, knife held so tightly in my hand that my knuckles turned white. A pair of bright yellow eyes shone in the darkness as a squirrel scurried up a tree.

 

I sighed in relief. It was just a tiny forest creature. There was nothing to worry about. With this thought, I relaxed a little, eventually settling into my sleeping bag. With my hands over my chest, I watched the stars twinkle in the nighttime sky.

 

I found my binoculars and used them to pinpoint some of the constellations. I marked them all down in my journal, using the light of the fire to see what I was writing.

 

Finally, I put all my stuff away and shimmied all the way inside my sleeping bag. It was nice and cozy inside the warm cocoon. Curling slightly, I placed my hands under my head as a pillow, falling asleep almost instantly.

***

In my dreams, I found myself running as fast as I could. There was a shadow chasing me, jumping from tree to tree. My legs were working as hard and as fast as they could, but that wasn’t good enough. No matter what I did, the shadow crept closer and closer.

 

My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would burst out of my chest. Fearing the worst, I looked over my shoulder, but my pursuer was gone. I stopped, catching my breath, thinking I had finally lost him.

 

As I tried to recuperate, it started to rain. The droplets of water were large and heavy, crashing into the Earth in torrents. Soon enough, the forest floor was covered in thick mud.

 

My clothes were soaked, clinging to my body, outlining my figure.

 

I wiped the water from my eyes, struggling to see in the sudden downpour. But I didn’t have to see well to once again notice the same shadow in front of me, looming in my direction.

 

Without thinking, I broke into a sprint in the opposite direction. My boots crashed against the muddy ground, splatting it everywhere. A few times, I nearly tripped, sliding on the slick terrain.

 

I weaved through the trees, trying to put as much distance between me and that ominous presence. I didn’t even want to think what would happen if it caught up to me, engulfing me in its dark tendrils.

 

The rain came down even harder. Thunder sounded in the distance, like a rumbling giant crashing through the forest. A tree collapsed nearby, the sound of splintering timber distinct and deafening.

 

I sped up, my lungs burning at this point, but I knew I had to find shelter. It was dangerous to be in the forest during a lightning storm. Desperately, I kept wiping my eyes, blinking through the rain.

 

To my surprise, when I broke through a clearing, I came across an abandoned-looking castle. It soared into the heavens, its gothic style making it look dark and threatening in the rain. Snaking pieces of ivy wrapped around its tall towers, covering it in bright greenery.

 

The front door was made from a thick wood. Heavy chains were rigged up to let it down across a manmade moat that was quickly filling up with rainwater. Knowing I had no other choice, I waded through the muddy water, scrambling to climb up the side.

 

The wet ground gave way under my fingers and for a moment, I thought I would be trapped in the moat, but somehow, I found a firmer spot, hoisting myself up.

 

Panting, I struggled to get up, my body aching. With my legs feeling like jelly, I walked up to the front door to find that it was left ajar, giving me just enough room to wiggle inside.

 

Once I made it through, I leaned against the door, breathing a sigh of relief. At least I would be kept dry from the rain.

 

With my eyes closed, I focused on the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof, letting the sound calm me down. But, to my surprise, that wasn’t the only thing I could hear. In the distance, someone was playing music.

 

And it sounded like it was coming from inside the castle!

 

Did someone actually live here?

 

I thought it was impossible, but the more I listened, the more confident I became that the sound was indeed coming from within the castle. It even sounded familiar, like something my grandmother would play on her phonograph.

 

Curious, I followed the melody, traveling through winding corridors until I arrived at an intricately-crafted door.

 

The bust of a dragon stared at me. It had a giant maw, each deadly tooth crafted to perfection. Bright, ruby eyes shone in the gloom as if the dragon would come to life at any moment. Each of its shiny scales locked into the next, like those of a fish.

 

Besides the bust, the door was adorned with embellishments, some of them looking like Celtic knots, others like tails curled together in a spiral.

 

I reached out, about to trace these markings with my finger when the door swung open.

 

The sound of music floated out of the room. A natural impulse caused me to step over the threshold and into what looked like a den. By the roaring fire, there was a fur rug made from various pelts. Expensive-looking furniture surrounded it, creating a cozy atmosphere.

 

The phonograph was off to the side.

 

I looked around, hoping to find someone, but the room seemed empty. “Hello?”

 

Someone had to live here. Who else would maintain the fire and turn on the record player?

 

“Is anybody home?” I asked, but I was only answered by silence.

 

With nothing else to do, I approached the fire, hoping to dry off. It was only then that I noticed something peculiar about the flame. It was green!

 

I stared at it, tilting my head, wondering what kind of wood was being burned to produce such a strange flame.

 

Thinking it might be toxic, I took a step back.

 

Doing so, I nearly tripped on the rug, only managing to steady myself when I grabbed onto a nearby table. Looking up, I saw wine glasses filled with a dark liquid, like whoever was living here was expecting company.

 

The open wine bottle was still half full, so if I had a little sip, I could just refill the glass and no one would know.

 

Grabbing the goblet, I sat down on a nearby couch, easing into the comfortable cushions. As I sipped the smooth liquid, my body instantly relaxed.

 

I closed my eyes, nearly falling asleep as a profound warmth spread through my body, turning my cheeks rosy in color.

 

And then, footsteps.

 

My eyes shot open almost immediately, looking toward the door. Standing there was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my entire life. He had piercing blue eyes, a chiseled face, sharp nose, and shaggy black hair that gave him a wild and masculine look. He was dressed regally, like a Scandinavian Prince.

 

I could only stare at him as he crossed the room, sitting down beside me. “I see you’ve finally found me…” His voice was like liquid honey. “I’ve waited so long for you to join me…” He reached forward, pinning a strand of my wet hair behind my ear. “You’re even more beautiful than I expected.”

 

I didn’t quite understand what this man was talking about, but at the same time, I didn’t really care. His mere presence was enough to excite me. It was powerful, dominant, intoxicating.

 

“You must be weary after your travels. Let me help you relax.” Without another word, he took the wine from my hand, setting it back on the table. With his bright blue eyes twinkling with mischief, he cupped my cheek, kissing me ever so gently.

 

I melted into the kiss, finding myself addicted to his tender yet demanding nature. Before I knew what was happening, he had his hand under my shirt, one of his fingers running up my spine, straight for my bra.

 

Instead of unclasping it, he seemed to slice through the strap with his nail which caused me to gasp into the kiss. He took the opportunity to push his tongue into my mouth. It seemed narrow and pointed, unlike any other tongue. I liked it.

 

Eagerly, I kissed him back, tangling my tongue with his, my body moving closer, asking for more.

 

In the back of my mind, I knew that I shouldn’t be doing this. I didn’t know this man. He lived in a creepy castle in the middle of the woods. I should be running as fast as I could.

 

But, I couldn’t pull away from him.

 

It was like he had me under a spell, keeping me trapped in his embrace.

 

Effortlessly, he ripped through my shirt, tossing it to the side, exposing my large breasts. His eyes flickered with lust before he leaned down, planting kisses all over. He toyed with me by circling my nipples, never quite giving them the attention they deserved.

 

Distracted by his teasing, I didn’t notice his hand slipping into my panties until it was too late. His long, thick fingers ran along my slit, rubbing me ever so slightly.

 

I moaned, pushing my hips into the air, the sensation almost enough to overwhelm me. No one had touched me down there in quite some time.

 

The man grinned at me, his expression almost devious. I held my breath, waiting for his next move, each second feeling like it was stretching into an eternity.

 

Suddenly, his thumb started to rub small circles on my clit. I moaned even louder, biting my lips so I wouldn’t scream. I wiggled in pleasure, my pussy already soaked with my juices.

 

The man didn’t stop. He kept flicking my clit back and forth, stimulating me to the point where I thought I would explode. He hadn’t even penetrated me and I already felt like I was going to climb over the edge.

 

With his smirk deepening, he pressed one of his fingers against my entrance. It felt so thick that my pussy resisted him for a moment before he forced it inside, knuckle-deep.

 

I gasped, my whole body tensing at the sudden intrusion. Before I could relax, he took one of my nipples in his mouth, swirling his tongue all around it. Pleasure flooded my body, making it hard for me to concentrate. My skin was covered in goosebumps, only adding to my sensitivity.

 

The mysterious man sucked harder, his tongue playing with my nipple until it was so hard it hurt. I clutched at the couch cushion, trying to ground myself, but I had never felt this good.

 

With his finger still inside of me, he started to pump it in and out, picking up speed. My juices accumulated in my panties, getting them soaked, but the man didn’t seem to mind.

 

He just kept finger-fucking me, faster and harder, until he paused to add a second one. I pressed my teeth together, my back arching as my tight little pussy struggled to accommodate them. He slowed his pace to give me some time to adjust, but as soon as I started moaning, he showed me no mercy.

 

I screamed in pleasure, my body quivering. My toes curled. My pussy squeezed his fingers, trying to pull them even deeper inside me.

 

I couldn’t take it a moment longer.

 

My world exploded in white hot pleasure.