Page 18 of My Mountain Man Rescuer

I was so fucked.

Carly squeezed my hand later when we arrived at the Tower of Terror. Tonight, I opted for my motorcycle. The weather was nice, and I figured she might enjoy it. She did.

Before we got in line, I tilted her chin so she locked eyes with me.

“Stay close to me. No matter what. We don’t separate for any reason. You see Ghostface, tell me.”

“You’re not wearing a costume.”

“No. He already knows I’m protecting you, so it’s only a nuisance now. My focus is your protection. That’s all that matters. Keeping you and the other visitors tonight safe.”

“No more bodies,” she whispered.

“No more,” I agreed.

I knew the killer would show up tonight. He was too infatuated with Carly to pass up the opportunity. I called Sheriff Townsend, and he had deputies waiting in the forest, lying low so we didn’t spook the man we wanted to capture.

For the first hour, everything seemed calm. The Tower wasn’t nearly as creepy as Blood Moon Manor. They had a few jump scares, but I heard complaints that it wasn’t scary enough as people walked through with us. When we reached the top floor of the Tower, which was nothing more than a strobing light and staff chasing the guests with fake axes, knives, and a chainsaw, I sighed.

The killer didn’t show up.

Carly moved in front of me, pressing her chest to mine. Her hands pulled my head down as she whispered into my ear, “He’s here.”

I stiffened for a moment and then tethered our fingers together. “Where?”

“At the exit. I saw his Ghostface mask.”

“You sure it wasn’t someone else?”

“I’d know that creepy stare anywhere.”

“We’re going to take the stairs and pretend like we don’t know he’s here. You keep your hand with mine. Don’t let him pull you away if he tries.”

A tremor ran through her. “Beau.”

“It’s okay, Scream Queen. I’ve got you. Promise.”

We slowly followed the crowd back down the winding set of stairs. I felt someone behind us and knew the killer had closed in. A sharp prick in my back was all that I felt before his voice reached my ears.

“Keep walking, Coleman. Don’t signal any of the officers I’m here.”

Shit. He knew.

“If you do anything stupid, I’ll stab our sweet Carly. She’ll bleed out before any help will arrive.”

Motherfucker!

“We’re going for a ride.”

I didn’t understand what he meant until we filed outside and he walked with us, keeping close enough that I knew if I tried to run, he’d follow through with his promise. I held Carly’s hand with a death grip. She kept staring straight ahead, and I knew she didn’t miss hearing any of the killer’s words.

“Get on your bike. I’m parked beside you. She gets on with me.”

“Hell no,” Carly whispered. “Kill me now if you want. I’m not riding with you.”

He liked her response. “And there’s that fire that I love. Fine. Stay with your Beau. I’ll follow you. Ride to the waterfall.”

The killer moved to our left, sitting on a motorcycle parked beside me. He must have arrived shortly after us. The lot was still packed.