Page 12 of My Mountain Man Rescuer

“Tell me.” Beau leaned forward, listening intently as I spoke.

“I thought it was an employee. Maybe it wasn’t.”

“Go on,” he encouraged.

“He rested his hand on my shoulder and stared into my eyes. I thought he was trying to scare me. I waited for him to do something. But it wasn’t like that. He just tucked my hair behind my ear and told me to stay quiet. Then he ran after the group ahead of me.”

Beau tensed. “What was he wearing?”

“Black clothing and gloves. Ghostface mask.” I gasped. “Shit. It must have been the same guy chasing us when you picked me up.”

“Does it seem like the same guy?”

“Yes. I remember he had rips in his costume. Both times.” I tried not to panic as I wrapped my arms around my middle. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to pull air into my lungs. I felt lightheaded. Almost dizzy. “Oh, God. I can’t, I’m having trouble breathing.”

Beau stood and rushed over, picked up the knife, and set it on the coffee table. His hands lifted to rest on my shoulders. “Look at me.”

My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

“Carly. Focus on me. My voice. Inhale and hold your breath.”

I shook my head.

“Do it,” he ordered in a tone I couldn’t seem to refuse.

“Good girl. Now exhale.”

I obeyed, realizing that my lungs could actually function.

“Again.”

I followed his instructions, breathing on my own without help after several minutes.

Beau dropped his hands but remained by my side. “Panic attack. I’ve seen it before.”

“You helped. Thanks.”

“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “Is there anything else you remember?”

I tried to think beyond meeting the strange guy inside the haunted house. Nothing else happened.

Until I remembered walking to the cemetery and the man in black who watched me. “Well, maybe one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“Someone watched me when I first arrived. I only saw him once.”

“When? Where?” Beau sounded a bit anxious.

“I hiked to the cemetery and took pictures of the waterfall and foliage. I’m supposed to cover the fall activities in Woodbridge Falls for my newspaper.”

“I see. Continue.”

“When I had the camera focused, I turned to the trees. A man stood there. He wore all black. Just stared like he enjoyed watching me.”

“Fuck. Did he approach you?”

I shook my head. “Not really. I thought he might, but he disappeared. I never saw him again.”