I pick my next turn at random, choosing a street that's more shadowed than bright, with fewer jack-o'-lanterns glowing from porches. My footsteps are steady, trying to seem casual, but when I reach the end of the street, curiosity wins out over playing it cool. I sweep my long hair over one shoulder and sneak a glance behind me. He's there, half a block back, still following. His pace is calm but determined, each stride controlled.

The red mask he wears is dark and demonic, sending a rush of adrenaline through me, mixing with the bourbon in my stomach. How long can I keep this game going? I guess as long as he keeps following. Or until he makes a move. But then, a sudden wave of disappointment hits me. What if it's someone I know under that mask? Maybe one of Sean's asshole friends sent to mess with me.

I think about the masked guy's build—tall, broad, and definitely not from around here. Most guys in this town are ex-football players who've let themselves go. But this guy? He didn't get that body from sitting in a cubicle all day. The way he walks, more like a predator than a man, confirms it.

A screech of tires pulls my attention back. Some idiot in a rusty red Bronco speeds past, almost hitting my masked stalker as he swerves all over the road.

"Don't drink and drive, kids," I mutter, stepping onto the sidewalk.

"Hey there, pretty lady." The car slows beside me, the driver's words slurred. "Need a ride?"

"No thanks," I reply, not even bothering to look his way. I've dealt with creeps like him before.

"Come on, sugar. I've got something fun planned tonight. It's cold out here; why don't you hop in?"

I ignore him, hoping he'll get the hint and leave.

"I'm talking real nice to ya. Just get in the damn car—"

"Fuck off."

I stop dead in my tracks, turning to give him my best bitch stare. There's something seriously off about this guy. His eyes are wild, like an animal that's been caged too long. I've seen looks like that before—there's no soul left behind them, just a twisted void.

My heart races, and I take off running. Where the hell is the masked guy now? Would he help if this creep tries something? The screech of tires sounds, followed by a loud crash as he nails the curb to my right. I glance back, but cannot see any sign of the masked stranger. My legs are burning. I'm just a few feet away from the next cross street. My heart lurches into my throat as I hear the car reverse. The driver guns it once again, drawing my attention behind me. But this time the car is close. Too close. He's coming right at me. Headlights blind me seconds before impact. My body slams to the ground hard enough to steal the air from my lungs. It's an unwelcome sensation

It feels like I'm a kid again, hitting the ground hard and gasping for air. But this time, it's far worse. My eyes snap open, expecting to see a car bumper, but instead, I'm staring up at that red Halloween mask. I try to scream, but the air's still trapped in my chest. He pulls the mask off, revealing amber eyes and messy blond hair.

"I've got you. Calm down. I'm here with you." His voice is smooth, like honey, and it washes over me, calming the panic. But I still can't fucking breathe. His massive body pins me to the ground. Did he just push me out of the way? The car's tires squeal as the driver peels out, leaving the scene. That bastard almost killed me.

 I lift up my arms to shove the very large, very heavy man currently lying on top of me away but the damn things won't move. My arms, my legs, my lungs. Nothing is working. The fear in my wild eyes is reflected in the soft honeyed glow of the stranger's gaze. His eyebrows are furrowed, his jaw set in a grimace. Why is he looking at me like that? Am I wounded? Did I get hit after all? 

"I've got you," he keeps saying. Yeah, no shit—you're literally crushing me. I want to scream at him to move, but nothing comes out. Slowly, though, his voice starts to break through my panic, and I manage to suck in my first breath. Relief floods his face.

"There she is."

"Get off me."

I finally push at his chest, and he rolls off, rising to his feet.

"Are you hurt? Can you stand?" He offers me a massive, callused hand. I take it on instinct. His skin is overly hot beneath my fingers.

"I think I'm okay. You were just crushing me. But thank you for knocking me out of the way. I thought I was done for."

He pulls me to my feet and I take a rushed breath in. My face comes up to the middle of his chest. I crane my head back, my gaze running up the length of his lean neck and sharp jaw until it meets those twin amber irises. 

Were they glowing so brightly before? 

My hand is still clutched in his grasp. His fingers pulse with warmth against my chilled skin. He gives me a lazy half grin that has me flushed and fumbling. I take a quick step back, putting space between us. His smile drops and he gives me the strangest look. 

"Your eyes..." I start, noticing how they've brightened even more. He quickly looks away, grabbing his mask from the ground and sliding it back on, hiding his face. I can't deny I'm disappointed. The mask is wooden, painted in shades of red, Two curved horns jut out into the dark sky above. They lead down to an oval pair of pupil less eyes. A man's nose sits just above a monster's mouth. The jaw is long and wide, with sharp teeth carved into the wood. The mask is completed with an over-the top tongue that twists out of the gaping jaw and stretches several inches farther than a natural tongue can go. I've never seen such a mask. I wonder if he carved it himself.

"What's your name?" he asks, his voice warm and smooth. I find myself staring at the mask, wishing I could see his lips move.

"I'm Evie."

"Evie." He says it like he's savoring the taste of it. "I'm Tae."

"Tae?" I raise an eyebrow.

He chuckles, a deep sound that sends shivers down my spine. "It's a nickname. Where are you headed, Evie?"

Something about the way he says my name makes my pulse quicken. "Just to a friend's party. But honestly, after that, I'm thinking I should just head home and call it a night."

"A quiet night in? On Halloween? I can't let that happen." He chuckles again. "Come to my party instead. I promise it'll be better than wherever you were going."

"Your party?" A red flag starts waving in the back of my mind.

"I'll even drive you, make sure you get there safe and sound. Someone as dangerously gorgeous as you shouldn't be walking alone on a night like this."

My cheeks heat up, and his mask tips down, taking me in from head to toe. Not being able to see his eyes is driving me crazy. My mind flashes back to the creep in the car, but Tae doesn't give off the same vibe. I actually feel safe with him, which is weird, considering we just met. Maybe it's trauma bonding, or maybe it's something else. When I don't answer right away, he adds, "I'll make sure no more creeps bother you tonight. You have my word."

"Is it far?"

"Not far at all. We're down by the Old Mill ruins."

"I heard that place is haunted," I tease.

The Old Mill ruins are tucked away in the woods, near a creek. It's a popular spot during the day, but everyone leaves once the sun goes down. There are all kinds of ghost stories about that place. We used to scare ourselves silly there as kids, daring each other to go into the woods alone. I haven't been there in years.

"I'm scarier than anything haunting those woods," Tae says, his voice suddenly serious. He holds out his hand again. "You'll be safe with me."

You'd think agreeing to follow a masked stranger to a party in the woods on Halloween would set off alarm bells, especially considering my true-crime addiction. But for some reason, my inner voice—the one that usually warns me when shit's about to go down—is silent. Despite the small sliver of fear in the back of my mind, curiosity wins out. I place my hand in his, feeling that same intense heat as his fingers close around mine.