AyeRa/PreeDit A Horror Story FF NEW! FINALE PG12 - Page 2

A sudden bitter chill washed over her, icy cold air slapped her from inertia till every pore on her skin jolted into shockful wakefulness. Something moist, coarse and brittle was scratching her bare legs, something else sharp and spiky, pricked and pierced against her exposed skin. She was gliding, her legs, heavy, dead, scraped against a slimy, lumpy surface. Her arms suspended and falling limp, held by a pair of arms that tightened under her armpits pulling her along. Dread settled heavily in pit of her stomach. As her eyes snapped wide open she started to find some feeling back in her legs, kicking, writhing and twisting her body in protest while a horrific realisation sank in. Her eyes darting wildly as she absorbed her environment. Thick dark trees surrounded her from every angle. The woods. She was in the woods, being hauled across the ground with no recollection of how she got here, dragged further and further away from the commotion and company of strangers in a club that she had been amidst not minutes ago. Or had it been hours, days.. she had no idea how much time had lapsed between then and now, all she could remember was sitting with Raghav, having a few drinks, and slowly moving to the dancefloor with him...She wanted to scream, to rupture the thick oppressive air that accumulated but all that came out of her mouth was a short gasp. She wondered if this was how it was going to end for her. Feeling powerless against some unknown stranger dragging her deeper and deeper into the dark with no witness to her death save tall looming trees that stretched into never ending wilderness. And whatever the outcome she was certain it was with the intention of harming her. Then just as she thought she wouldnt see the end of this ordeal, she was released, just before she was launched forcefully into a lake with a grand splash. In a panic she thrashed in the ice cold water feeling herself sinking into its dark depth, feeling the shock of the temperature freezing her skin to the pores and managed to heave her head above the waters surface and found her voice.

'Helppp!!!'

'Ayeshaii??!!!!!' Ashis voice responded faintly from a distance. Ayesha felt a glimmer of hope which was just as soon dashed as strong hands gripped her ankles drawing her down under again. She tried to revolt against the force dragging her downwards scrambling helplessly in the opposite direction. She was kicking, thrashing, squirming with all her might but the more she did the more she was pulled deeper.

'Pree-'

Was the last she heard above the water as she fought with every inch of her strength and lasting breath till she was finally yanked back down again, the water submerging her lungs and she could scream no more, falling into the murky depths of the cold lake. I'm drowning. She thought. The muffled tones of her sister grew distant while the frothy bubbles and ripples swarmed around her sight. I'm drowning. Then a haze of crimson red gushed around her merging with the blue slowly filling her vision.

The next thing she knew she was being held, choking, spluttering, gasping for breath. Someones arms wove tight around her waist taking her out of the lake while her arms hung limp on either side of theirs, her body weak and unable to respond except with a shiver. Her head slunk upon their chest. Giving up the struggle, accepting defeat to whatever lay in store for her, for better or worse.Then familiar voices emerged from around her, one belonged to her sister's. Her eyes opened slowly squinting at the face of her rescuer who had raised her up just as she was about to flop down feeling a wave of a dizzy spell, he held her body that was ice cold from shock in a close embrace supporting her against him, his wrist dug into her side before he begun wrapping a shawl around her as she shuddered uncontrollably.

'I got you, its ok..' His face was close to hers and she felt his breath warm her wet skin.

'Is she alright Raghav?' called Randeeps voice from afar mingled with Ashis anxious cries.

Raghav had his head cocked to the side as he examined Ayesha quietly, concern marking his furrowed eyes. She was stone cold and pale as a ghost, her wet hair plastered to her face and stared back up at him from shock of her recent ordeal.

'How are you feeling?' He said comfortingly pressing the back of his hand on her forehead. She grew self aware as he stared into her eyes and she looked back at him gratefully before looking down at her feet unable to mutter anything much. As Ashi approached them she hugged her sister tightly while Raghav stepped aside, his t- shirt clung sodden wet soaked to his skin.

'I was soo worried. How on earth did you end up in the woods?!'

Ayesha frowned struggling to recall the events as they had unfolded.

'Lets get you girls home, theres plenty of time for explaining later.' Randeep said. Ayesha glanced in Raghavs direction again noticing him as swiped his wet hair back then pulled his t shirt off and took the shawl Randeep offered him wrapping it around his shoulders. Ashi had her arm around her and was helping her walk following the boys lead. The flashlights of the bike guided them safely out of the woods.

'Ayesha Im worried about you. I know you passed out in the club but Randeep said he spotted you sleepwalking..'

Ayesha frowned not surprised at the conjecture made against her by him.

'I dont remember what happened Ashi. Im just so tired. I think I just need to eat and rest.'

It had been a few days since the incident in the woods. The new theory was that Ayesha was hallucinating and sleep walking, which conveniently explained the recent episodes that happened to her.

'Changes can have that effect on the mind.' was Randeeps perspective. As if he knew what she was going through. No one wanted to believe her, not even Ashi who happily took Randeeps fake intellectualised view. Then there was Raghav, who didnt try and disprove her claims, he listened to her and she had almost discerned a kind of conviction by her words in his eyes, or atleast a lack of doubt but he hadnt said much on the matter.

Ayesha was watching him now. It was becoming a thing every morning greeted with his sight as she opened her curtains indulging in shameless voyeurism for a few moments.

He was sitting on a stool, chewing on a cigarrette while fumbling away at his bike wearing a vest that clung to his sweaty skin. He combed his hair back and looked up at her still holding the cigarrette between his teeth. She quickly pulled the curtains and went back in not knowing why she felt embarrased as he had caught her watching him.

She headed downstairs to have her breakfast. Ashi and Randeep were at it again on the sofa. He was on top of her kissing her passionately down her body while his hands ran up her legs and pulled her closer as she arched her head backwards failing to stifle her moans from his persistent touches.

'Wow. Mujhe yahi dekhna hai kya itni subah ke?' Ayeshas voice burst out breaking the heat of their moment, her stomach lurching at what she had just seen. Ashi blushed and pushed him away yanking her skirt down while Randeep smoothed his hair back smiling mischievously at Ashi who sat up.

'I mean like what, is this becoming a morning thing now' Ayesha said sarcastically.

'I cant help it if your sister tastes so goo-'

'Randeep?!' Ashi interjected with growing embarrassment and threw a cushion at him. Ayesha simply stood there a look of plain disgust written all over her face.

'Whoops I forgot, we have to protect little Ayesha and her girly innocence.' Randeep said smugly.

'Stop treating me like a little girl, Im only a year younger than Ashi.'

'Awww did I upset you, little girl.'

'Shut up!!' She snapped

'Both of you shut up!' Ashi yelled. Ayesha frowned and scrunched up her nose before heading to the kitchen to grab her breakfast.

Ashi followed her

'I dont see what you see in him.' Ayesha said slapping butter on 2 slices of bread.

'Ayesha, he just likes to tease you but Randeep is a nice person really. He is caring, he thinks about me a lot'

'Right, Im sure he is..caring' She scoffed.

'Ayesha you wont understand, you haven't had that experience yet.'

'Oh come on Ashi, you are the one that's innocent. He is a boy, he thinks about you so muchbecause he has only one thing in his mind.'

'Thats not true, you only know the half of it'

'Fine. If you don't mind I'd like to eat now preferably without throwing up my breakfast over an 18 rated scene seeing as someone thinks I'm not old enough for that anyway.' Ashi looked at Ayesha dissappointedly while she left the kitchen.

Ayesha was wandering down the street in her short blue dress. She had just finished her self-defense classes that she had joined for the summer with no reason other than to while away the time and break away the monotony and boredom that was beginning to settle heavily into her work free routine. But ever since the incidents concerning her stalker, she began to see it as a necessity. She had decided to change at the sports centre itself. Randeep had parked himself in their house and so her privacy was disturbed. She felt the risk of bumping into him anywhere in the house was too high and wanted to avoid getting into pointless squabbling with him for her sisters sake. She also needed to cool off for a while before going homewards again.

She heard footsteps approaching her from behind just then interrupting her thoughts.

'Hey'. Raghav joined her side still in a vest on jeans that stuck to his skin. The summer heat was surely insufferable for everyone and Ayesha would take it over her dull days spent in mindless activity anyday especially with Ashi and her boyfriend being the only company she had.

'Hi' She hadnt known how to thank him properly for saving her since the incident in the woods but he never brought it up and neither did she.

'Looks like these self defense classes are a hit.' He said. Ayesha detected a note of sarcasm in his voice.

'What, are you too cool for self defense?' she questioned.

'No..I'm sure they're very effective..if you're attacked in a well lit gym.' he replied mockingly arching his eyebrows while she smiled at the sarcasm and continued walking.

'You know I believe you. What you said about you being hunted down by someone.'

'You do?' Ayesha asked innocently

'Yes. And I could help you..only if you want.' Ayesha regarded him attentively as he stalked slowly toward her.

'I'm sensing you want to get my help' he continued, pinning her with his eyes.

'See you could continue to practice self defense within the safe confines of a gym...but uh..' He looked around him making sure no one was around before he moved her to a dark corner speaking softly; 'What happens if your first warning... was a knife to your throat?' in one swift movement he lifted her up by her armpits against a nearby wall to his eye level, his hands steady under her.

'What are you doing?' she gasped in startlement. He was suffocating her breathing space, as he edged his face closer and his eyes trailed down to her mouth.

'Attacking you' he whispered dangerously looking back into her eyes while his nose almost grazed hers.

'Are you trying to scare me?' She breathed fixated by the intensity of his proximity

'Why. Are you afraid?'

'No' The strange feelings rising within her was definitely not from fear..

'Good.'

Just as quickly as it happened he released her dropping his hands down her side, his thumbs faintly stroked her waist, his watch chafing against her hipbone while leaning into her. Ayesha felt her heart flutter as he fixated her with a hard stare, not knowing why she wasn't resisting his advances, hating the way her body reacted to him. She was acting against her nature, acting lovestruck.. just like her sister. Onlookers exiting the gym started throwing the young pair cynical looks.

Ayesha came to her senses and pushed him away, smoothing down the part of her dress that had crinkled up, trying hard to compose herself after what had just happened.

'I'll...see you later' she stammered and left briskly without looking back while he leaned back against the wall smoothing his hair back and smiled to himself.

The chill of cool night permeated her skin and she surveyed the scene trembling with apprehension. In the woods again. A line of cans were perched on barrels.

'Trust me' He said, it was a question.

'I want to'. She said hesistantly. Ayesha had snuck out to avoid having dinner with Ashi and Randeep. She was fed up of being on the receiving end of Randeeps taunts, of him patronising her at every chance he got and fed up of Ashis lame attempts to try and get them two to get along. Taking up Raghavs offer to explore the area didnt seem like a bad idea to her but she had no idea they would land up back in the woods. Especially after what had happened to her.

'Is this so you can help me overcome my fears of poison ivy and snakes?' Ayesha asked unsurely trying to veil her anxiety.

'This is far enough' He said quietly

'Far enough for what?' She asked doubt reaching to her head again.

'For no one to hear.' He uttered in a low gravely voice.

'I thought you were supposed to help me feel less afraid' Ayesha said letting out a nervous chuckle.

'Close your eyes.' She looked at him speechless, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in her eyes.

'Just close them'. She sighed and did as he bid, when he stood right behind her, she stiffened as he lay a hand faintly on her hip.

'Alright. Youre walking to your house late at night and realise you left your keys. What do you do?' He was right behind her.

'Call my sister'

'No, she would never get to you in time..' His voice was soft but clear as she felt his breath on her neck. A bit too close. She opened her eyes by instinct finding his other arm around her feeling something cool and heavy pressed against her chest, he was holding a gun to her.

'Woah what are you doing?!' She jumped trying to move his hand that rested on her hip off her but he kept it steady.

'We're conquering your fears'.

'Why dyou have a gun?' She said warily twisting her head behind her to meet his look.

'My dads a cop.' He gripped her hand one after the other placing the gun inside her hands and brought one arm around her neck as she held the gun in both hands.

'Come on focus Ayesha. Aim at the cans. Relax.'

His other hand rested on her hip to still her shivering.

'Youre not making it very easy'

He smirked as she held the gun in one hand and her other arm slunk over his arm that was winding slowly round her waist. He made a sudden jerk of movement tightening his grip so that she was anchored in spot while she rested her free hand over his. His chest pressed right against her back.

'I don't see how this helps' she said not overly hating the physical contact of him pulling her close almost protectively.

'It doesn't, I'm distracting you. Ignore me.' She felt the warmth from his contact against her even though she was covered by a layer of clothing, her skin warmed up rapidly even in the cool air of the evening. He was making this rather difficult. She took a shot that misfired.

'Show me' she said handing him the gun as he released her.

He held the gun and aimed squarely knocking over the line of cans.

'You know as much as I'd love to be your full time personal bodyguard, sometimes you are going to be alone, facing whoever it is out there.'

'Want it?' he asked tenderly scrutinising her face as she inhaled deeply looking in startlement at his proffered hand that held the gun.

'I..can't'

'Not your tempo. I get it.' He said tucking the gun away into his inner jacket pocket.

His eyes rode down her body and she stood awkwardly fidgeting with her loose hair feeling herself being mentally undressed by his penetrating gaze. He approached her with slow steps making her back up a bit till they were facing one another toe to toe, and she was thankful for the dark of the night that was concealing her furious blushing. As he neared her he began trailing one finger along her waist causing her to flinch. He stalked closer still, his finger circling her waist and leaned into her as he gazed at her face; her eyes were shut tightly savouring the warmth of his touch, and she was biting down on her lip. She opened her eyes as he closed the gap between them till, his lips grazing hers till she felt his breath in her. Her body was reacting in ways that were too unfamiliar and strange.. And she wanted him. Wanted to taste his lips, wanted his tongue inside her mouth, wanted his body joined with hers. Damn, raging, teenage, hormones. However he didn't kiss her. He stepped back and was about to turn away while she felt a crushing disappointment and sense of longing burn inside her stomach.

Without thinking twice Ayesha grabbed his collar with both her hands and pulled him towards her into a kiss. She didn't know if it was because he was a good kisser or whether it was the experience of kissing a boy for the first time that felt so good. A mess of emotions poured into her at that point that she was both repelled and aroused by their deepening kiss. His tongue clashed with hers, as he kissed her harder on her mouth and down her chin to her throat. Her arms entwined around his neck, drawing him closer. His arms pulled her by her waist and she responded by arching her hips into him, while he continued to explore her skin with his mouth, and she bent her head back allowing him to go further. A sudden shock surged through her senses as her conscience kicked in, she realised she had instigated the kiss and they were perhaps going too far. She abruptly pushed him away from her but he wasnt satiated. He shoved her against a thick treetrunk and pressed his mouth to hers again enjoying the way she gradually relaxed into him. But everytime she felt herself go she tried to fend him off again and managed to move back turning away from him only he didnt leave her. From behind he ran his hands over hers pushing her to the trunk and brushed his face against her skin kissing her on her shoulders and neck while she sighed from his excessive attention and his fingers closed over hers tightly. He flipped her around and kissed her this time slowly and softly on the mouth. She felt herself weakening gripping tightly onto his shirt as she slid down with him slipping away into a temptuous darkness.