Just a Taste Part 3

Ch 3: Chasing Shadows

Isabella

December 13th, 2024- University of South Carolina, Cafeteria- 10:30 AM (Lunch Period)

“Daddy, I’m fine! Like I told you, it was as if God himself intervened!” I explained excitedly, stabbing at my medium-rare steak, roasted potatoes, and mixed greens salad. “An animal, maybe a wolf? I don’t know, but it came out of nowhere and tore that guy's throat out! It was incredible!”

He sighed on the phone. I could practically see him rubbing his temples in frustration.

“Issa, please don’t refer to a mauling as ‘incredible’ again, please? It’s very unbecoming of a Montgomery Legacy student.” He exhaled heavily. “And I know you’re fine. The medical personnel from the campus, and Mommy, have repeatedly informed me of your condition, including your three stitches. I don’t require another recap, my sweet girl. I was a valedictorian.”

There it is. He doesn’t care about the fact that I was attacked; he cares about my reaction to it. That, and to remind me continuously of his education. It’s like he lives for those moments! And to press upon me his idea of the perfect Montgomery daughter. The only daughter, actually.

Cutting my meat into pieces, I replied. “Yes, Daddy.”

“That’s my girl.” He said with pride. “Now, what’s for lunch today?”

Uh oh.

“A steak, potatoes, and a mixed greens salad?” I answered innocently.

“Issa, we agreed not to have red meat! It's very unhealthy for you! And potatoes? That’s all fat and sugar! Geez, a few months away from home and all of your discipline just flies away?” Daddy thundered.

My ears buzzed from his fury.

My mind transported me to when I was six, not long after the Montgomerys adopted me.

I asked for a cupcake at a classmate's birthday party. She had hundreds of pastel pink colored dark chocolate ones that smelled like heaven.

Her mother gladly gave me one for asking so politely, but once I ate it, Daddy forced his fingers down my throat. Making me vomit it up in front of everyone.

Saying that it was all fat and sugar, and that it would kill me.

I never ate sweets around Daddy again. Or went to another party.

The opportunity would always come up, of course, but the horrid memory would make me decline it. And become severely nauseous.

No, we don’t, but we miss the taste of proper food. Grisly meat being torn apart by our teeth.

It doesn’t matter what we want. This will make Daddy happy. Isn't that our goal? Keeping Daddy happy and away from his belt? To allow us the freedom to live on campus, attending college like a normal teenager, instead of locked away in a lonely bedroom, unable to see the light of day?

Yeah, it is.

“That sounds like a plan, sweet girl. I donate a ludicrous amount of money each quarter, and yet there’s no chicken?” He scoffed.

The phone is quiet for a moment. "In all honesty, I'm glad you're alive. Hopefully, the authorities can hunt down that monster, though. Who knows what, or whom it will attack next!"

My throat went dry. He wants my savior hunted down? Why? Because his method was barbaric?

"Daddy, the reason that I'm alive is because of that monster, you know that, right?" I remarked with a hint of courage peeking through my quiet, compliant daughter's shell. "That psycho was going to kill me!"

"Sweet girl, we have no proof he was going to do any such thing," Daddy mentioned in a condescending tone. "Yes, someone attacked you, but did you consider that he might have been on drugs, or not mentally sound?"

No, I think to myself, I didn't have time to think while I was running for my life.

"Don't linger on what happened in the past, focus on what's happening in the future," Daddy commanded. "Speaking of which, when shall I send for you? When is class over for winter break again?"

Nibbling on my lip, forcing myself not to say what I want, I responded, "The 16th. Our last day of class is tomorrow, but I have one last tutor session with a troubled student." I rambled out that last bit of information. "He has to stay behind and retake the finals."

He clicked his tongue disappointedly. "Nobody takes education seriously anymore! It's a good thing that boy has you, Issa."

"Oh, the salad bar is getting busy." I pretended to look at the empty salad bar. "I need to let you go, Daddy. I'll call you tonight, alright?"

"Alright, love you, Issa," He affirmed before hanging up.

Then I ate everything on my plate without guilt. That’s the first lie I told Daddy. The second was about the tutoring session. It’s fake.

Honestly, I wanted to look into something. A rumor that I heard in class a few hours ago. Supposedly, people have spotted a mysterious man in the areas around campus, the park, the woods, and the local cafe.

My ears burned when I overheard this information. Part of me wondered if it was another psychopath looking for a victim, or if it was my 'monster' savior? Either way, I wanted to look into it, hence the lie to Daddy.

December 14th, Queer Haven Books, 11:01 AM

Marlena and I went out for coffee at our favorite bookstore before parting ways for winter break. She and I mostly made amends after she discovered that someone had attacked me outside while I waited for her.

She fervently apologized to me dozens of times until I told her that to repay me, she should hang out with me a little more. So, I suggested the coffee outing.

I'm omitting the fact that someone saw the mysterious guy here twice. Maybe he'll show up today? If not, I'll resume my previous mission: search for him.

We found a secluded corner in the charming bookstore/cafe and sat. Our bodies relax as the heating system and steaming hot drinks warm us from the inside out. I love it here. The atmosphere is quiet and soothing, and there's hardly any waiting for drinks!

Far superior to other corporate caffeine peddlers.

"Ah, this is Heaven!" I sighed contentedly, propping my feet up on a stool, sipping my skinny, non-fat vanilla latte. No sugar added.

Marlena does the same, except her drink is a double espresso caramel macchiato. "Girl, you're right, we needed this. It's so calm and relaxing here..." She yawned slightly. "Finals were brutal! I passed, but barely. How'd you do?"

Blushing, I murmured, "All A's."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course. Good job, Scholarship Legacy."

The entire school knew who I was, and that my family had attended USC for three generations. All valedictorians and obscenely wealthy.

Their only friends came from a country club or a charity event planning committee.

Daddy desperately wanted me to follow in these carefully planned footsteps, but I didn't.

I want freedom, friends, a sexy, possibly dangerous boyfriend who treats me like a queen, not a gilded princess with a silver spoon up my ass.

Oh, shoot! I almost forgot! My new favorite suspense novel is out today! I wonder if there's a copy here already?

"Hey, I'm going to the New Releases section," I whispered to Marlena, jumping out of my seat. "Can you watch my drink and stuff?"

She nodded, slurping away at her sweet treat.

I perused the New Releases for ten minutes, but I didn't find the book! Did it get moved to the shelves already? Using my book-finding app associated with the business, it informed me that the novel is in the Suspense section.

Which is in the back of the bookstore. Great.

Full of determination, I navigated through the tight space, with my goal clear: buy Kill Me, Bite Me, Love Me. The latest suspense horror/romance novel about a game of Russian Roulette that goes horribly wrong.

Suspense is in a heavily darkened area next to Thriller and Mystery. Luckily, it seems the area is empty today. The air is still and tense; heavily scented with the smell of paper, burnt candle wax, and intrigue.

It's the perfect location for my book to be.

Scanning the shelves, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. A tall, wide, shadowy figure.

My body stiffened, and my pulse quickened. Clearly remembering the previous unusual encounter I had this week. Continuing my search, I did my best to ignore the image. Until it crept closer and closer.

Finally, I located my book; fingers brushing against its soft leather-backing, as a voice whispered in my ear, "Stay away from the darkness, white rabbit."

I spun around, hoping to get a glimpse of his face, but he's gone. Disappeared like the wind, or a fading shadow.

With my book in hand, I returned to Marlena, who was freaking out.

"Um, what's going on?" I asked, sitting back in my chair.

"Oh my God, you know that psycho from campus?" Marlena questioned frantically, and I nodded. How could I forget him? "His body is missing! Early this morning, someone broke into the county morgue and took it and two others!"

Holy shit, that's no coincidence. My savior shows up following corpses being stolen? Could he have done it? If so, why?

These questions flooded my mind as the two of us read through the articles online. Wondering passively if this was a random, onetime incident, or if it was a sign of things to come?

Dorms, 9:49 PM

"Come on, Issa!" Marlena begged, dropping to her knees dramatically. "He wants to hook up before break. Can you just hang out in the hall for a bit? Please!"

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "Fine, but don't take all night. Daddy's car is coming to retrieve me early in the morning."

She squealed, hugging my legs. "Thank you! And don't worry, I'll make sure you're well-rested for 'Daddy'." She said the last part with heavy sarcasm.

I don't expect her to understand my situation. Keeping him happy has become my sole objective for so long that it's become part of my soul.

A few minutes later, Scott shows up and effectively locks me out of my dorm room, with only a blanket and my phone. Geez, eager?

Scrolling through my phone, I noticed a few men arguing and shoving each other a few doors down. They seemed drunk or high, possibly both, and agitated.

"Fuck you, man!" One guy screamed, shoving his opponent through the glass window with force. "Marlena's the campus whore, get used to it!"

A thud echoed from outside. Oh God, did he just kill someone? And he was talking about Marlena. Is she in danger too?

I needed to see if he's dead.

Full of adrenaline, I rushed toward the assailant, who was drinking from a liquor bottle. Before I got within reaching distance, an arm grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into a utility closet.

"Let go of me!" I screamed, thrashing against whoever grabbed me.

"Shh..." A male voice whispered, less than an inch from my ear. He yanked me backward, bumping my back into a hard, rigid chest.

Before I could speak, a hand gently covered my mouth. I'm not scared. Instead, this action relaxed me. Focusing my attention on something besides what just happened.

"I know I told you to stay away from the darkness," He rasped, his free hand stroking my body. "But it seems to find you wherever I go." His cheek felt warm as it brushed against mine. "What happened out there? You don't need to see the aftermath."

Shrugging my shoulder, I asked why without speaking. Because I can't.

"That man I killed, he's not the only one around. There are several out there. Hiding, waiting, hunting people. Some for sport, others for sick, perverse pleasure. If you go outside, there's going to be at least four of them around," he explained.

Four men! Why?

As if he read my mind, he answered, "Harvesting the young man that died. His scent of death attracted them."

Harvesting him? What does that mean? And his 'scent' attracted them?

"Whenever someone is going to die," he rumbled, holding me tighter. "There's a smell. It's like a musky, almost dry fragrance. Anyway, people like him and I are attracted to it. Lured in by what it promises."

My body shook with intensity. Does that mean he's just as crazy? Will he try to kill me, too?

"You're trembling," He stated, rubbing my injured abdomen. I wince. "Good. Now, look up at me." He tilted my chin up.

For the first time, I saw his face.

The closet is dimly lit, but it's enough to reveal my savior's identity. He's young, maybe a year or two older than me, with a chiseled jaw, amber eyes, and wild dark brown hair tussling down his cheeks.

He smiled at me. My face flushed in response. Dammit, I'm supposed to be scared! What is wrong with me?

"Don't be afraid of me, Isabella." He cooed, continuing his downward movement.

"I'll never hurt you or cause you any pain," His fingers teased my panties. I moaned against his hand."Unless you ask for it." His middle finger tapped my mound. I whimpered helplessly.

Not only does he know my name, but he's touching me in ways I could only dream of. Yes, he’s dangerous, but he's also hot and saved my life.

Should I... go for it?

Fuck it.

Shuddering, I nodded. My savior gave me a wicked smile before his fingers disappeared inside my panties.

"Mmm, you're so warm and wet." He growled, stroking my sensitive folds, slowly moving toward my slit. "You've been thinking about me, huh?"

Swallowing harshly, I nodded, trying to relax my body as much as possible. For whatever he's about to do.

He removed his hand from my mouth and replaced it with his lips. They're rough, with a powerful tongue that demanded entrance.

I sighed, allowing both his tongue in my mouth and his two middle fingers in my vagina. His movements were slow at first, then became aggressive pumping as I reached my first orgasm. My essence flooded his hand as I fainted from it all.

I guess when you're chasing shadows, sometimes they find you. When that happens, be prepared for the most intense fear/pleasure of your life.

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and incidents are fictitious and the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, organizations, or events are entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Thank you for reading this eBook. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

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