soapy skin, pausing in spots to caress, stroking long, harder against her muscles. She leaned her head back against the tiles and moved one hand to her throat, where he had held her tightly without hurting, the other hand down between her legs, exploring the hot folds there. A soft moan escaped her lips as she slid her hand back and forth, finding pleasure in the memory of him taking her, being inside of her. Other girls had told her that it would hurt, but even with his size she'd felt only pleasure, sharp pleasure that took the pain and turned it into something beautiful and desirable. Her body, desirable not just for its shape or smoothness, no, desirable because it belonged to her and he wanted her. She imagined his desireas she smoothed her hand down the front of her chest and cupped herself, feeling the weight of her breast as her other hand moved deeper inside of her, her fingers trembling as they shivered her nerves.
Damien...
The ringing of her phone brought her sharply out of her reverie. Turning off the water, she opened the shower door and pulled the towel off of the rack to dry her hand. The towel slipped from her grasp as she reached for her phone, landing on the bottom of the shower.
"Damn it," Julia swore, picking up the now-wet towel and slinging it over the side of the shower curtain rod. The phone rang loudly on the counter.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Julia said. She stepped out of the shower, water dripping from her dark red hair onto the floor. Wiping her hand dry on the crumpled up dress she'd taken off earlier, she answered the phone and held it an inch away from her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Julia?"
"Hi, Damien," Julia said. "Sorry it took so long to answer. I was just—"
"Julia, listen to me. You have to get out of there."
"What?" Julia felt lightheaded. "Damien?"
"Do you hear me? Kyle is dangerous. You have to get away from him."
"I—I can't," Julia said. "I mean, Granny Dee just left with the car. Should I run, or—"
"No, no." Damien hesitated for a second. "They're both still in the forest, right?"
"I think so," Julia said. Her eyes turned to the door, and she suddenly felt acutely vulnerable. She was naked, she had nothing to protect herself with. And no way to leave. "How do you know about Kyle? Is Katherine—"
"I'll tell you later. Right now you have to get somewhere safe."
"I can... I can lock the door."
"That won't stop him," Damien said. "You need to leave. Listen. There's a spare key in a magnetic case under our car. It's right next to the front right tire, just under the fender. Can you get to the car?"
"I think so," Julia said. Her heart was racing. She pulled the damp dress over her head, trying to dress herself as quickly as she could. "Where do I go?"
"North," Damien said. "Take the highway. They won't be able to chase you that quickly. I'm almost there, and I'll deal with Kyle. We can meet up afterward. Just get away."
Julia's body was hot with adrenaline, her breath coming fast. Deal with Kyle? That would mean another fight.
"Should you really do this? Can't we just run away from him?" Julia opened her bedroom door and listened. There were no sounds coming from the first floor. She tiptoed down the stairs and peered out the window. The sun was setting quickly, but she could still see the woods. Kyle and Katherine were nowhere to be found.
"I'm not going to let him escape," Damien said. "Be careful. Try not to make a lot of noise. You know what their hearing is like."
"I know," Julia whispered. She peered out of the front door, her heart pounding in her ears. "Okay, I'm going to go now."
"Call me when you're out and safe," Damien said. "Julia?"
"Yes?"
"I love you." His voice was kind and full of worry.
"I love you too," Julia said.
Opening the door as quietly as possible, she stepped out onto the porch. The old board at the end of the steps always creaked, and she was careful to step over it. She couldn't afford to be heard. If Damien was right, if Kyle was