Joanne Blunt strolled along Stanton Road enjoying the sun on her face and the smell of the pine forest laced with the fragrance of an abundance of wildflowers. Summer break had to be the best time of the year, and spending time with her cousins in Black Rock Falls during rodeo week would be heaven. No parents to report to, and during the day when her cousins were at work, she could roam around without a worry in the world.

The trails through the forest were familiar, having visited on numerous occasions, and she had all day to visit the rock pool. With luck, she might run into some of the cowboys, who frequented the place in the summer. They always had free tickets and she might find one to take her to the dance. She tucked a rolled-up towel under one arm and strolled into the dense forest. Along the way, she collected wildflowers and tied them with a strand of grass.

At the falls, she noticed a man strolling back and forth as if contemplating something important. Although she did not want to disturb him, she didn’t want to leave either. She had walked some distance to enjoy the falls. Sweat trickled down her spine, and although the water would be freezing, a quick dip to cool off would be wonderful. When he turned and stared at her, she gave him a wave then placed her bunch of flowers in a puddle.

After spreading out her towel on a boulder, she kicked off her shoes, pulled her shirt over her head, and wiggled out of her denim shorts. Underneath she wore a skimpy yellow bikini. Proud of her suntanned body, she liked to show it off; she glanced across the pool but in the short space of time, the man had vanished. She shrugged and sat on the edge of the rock pool, dipping her toes into the cool water.

It was so quiet; apart from the rush of the falls it felt like she was the only person alive on Earth. A strong smell of sweat reached her and she turned to see the man walking out of the trees. He had an amused expression and waved as if he knew her. She waved back. “Nice day for a swim.”

“Yes, it is a nice day, a very fortunate day.” He moved closer and his gaze slid over her body. “Did you come here alone?”

Suddenly uncomfortable, she pushed to her feet and went to grab for her towel. In her periphery, she noticed something in his hand sparkling in the sunlight and a wave of breath-stealing panic raged through her. He has a knife.

Trying to act nonchalant, she shrugged. “My friends are on their way.”

“I doubt it. You’re here to go skinny-dipping with the cowboys.” He chuckled. “You missed them, they were here earlier.”

The way he moved the knife, tossing it from one hand to the other, sent shivers cascading down her spine. She wanted to run but with him blocking the path and the water at her back, he had her trapped. Deciding to bluff her way out of the situation, she gathered up her clothes and lifted the flowers out of the puddle. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to be getting back.”

He ignored her and stared at the posy in her hand, almost mesmerized by the sight of it, then his attention moved back to her.

“You brought me flowers. How nice.” He moved closer, blocking her path. “Put down your clothes, you’re not going anywhere today.”

Terror made her legs like lead but her mind was working fine. She threw her clothes and the flowers at him and dashed into the dense forest, running hard. Tree branches whipped her cheeks and bracken tangled around her legs. She could find another path if she could just run another twenty feet. Lungs bursting, she pushed through the trees searching in every direction for the elusive path and safety. Heavy footsteps thundered behind her and moments later heavy breathing. Pulled to a stop by her hair, she screamed at the pain tearing through her scalp. “Let go of me!”

Blinding agony and white flashing lights shattered her vision. She had not seen the punch. Her legs gave way and she staggered, falling against him. The smell of him made her gag but she used the chance to knee him. Like a professional street fighter, he sidestepped and she caught him on the outer thigh. She went for his face but he spun her around and punched her hard in the belly. Retching, she doubled over, but the moment she tried to stand he hit her again. She looked through tears at his ginning face. “Oh God.”

“God won’t help you now.” He pulled her hard against his stinking body then licked her cheek. “I’m going to have so much fun with you.”