Free Escape by Sheritta Bitikofer Page A

I know of humans. You’re nothing but a greedy, selfish race doomed to bring about your own destruction.”
                “We’re not all like that.” Amelia knew of many people in her own life that were selfish like he said, but she knew many more that were good-hearted and generous.
                “I haven’t met a single human who was truly good.”
                “Then you obviously haven’t spent much time with one.”
                “I’ve spent too much time with them. You’re no different than any of them.”
                “You don’t even know me!” Amelia raised her voice, practically yelling. “You’re making an assumption about my character that is not at all true!”
                “All you care about is getting home. Tell me how that isn’t selfish.”
                Amelia’s shoulder sunk at the idea. Yes, she wanted to get home more than anything right now, even at the expense of inconveniencing Connor to lead her there. But, she was too proud to lose this argument. A clever rebuttal came to mind and she lifted her chin a little higher. “I want to leave so I don’t have to bother you anymore.”
                Connor’s lips pursed together and she could see a hint of surrender in his eyes. Was she actually winning? “Then let’s get this over with,” he muttered, then turned and continued on the path.
                Amelia timidly followed, keeping a few more strides behind him than before. She was surprised how easily he caved under her argument, but she could still feel the tenseness radiating from him like a warning beacon. He was just one comment away from exploding and Amelia didn’t want to be the one to set the bomb off.
                They walked for another long while, not speaking until Connor unexpectedly broke the silence.
                “You mentioned this being a nightmare.”
                She knew that he meant that as a question and to explain her choice of words.
                “This isn’t real. It can’t be. Nothing makes sense about this place or you or anyone else. This is all just a nightmare and I’m going to wake up any minute now. Monsters don’t exist.”
                Connor looked over his shoulder to her, frustration mounting in his tone. “So, you don’t think I’m real?”
                “Nope, not one bit,” Amelia said cuttingly.
                “And you don’t think I’m scary, either, huh?” Connor’s upper lip rose a bit to reveal one of his sharp fangs.
                “Nope. You’re just a result of a bad mixing of garlic powder and minced onion.” Amelia felt it was her turn to slur his existence like he had slurred her race. What could he possibly do to her anyway? This was just a nightmare. She had completely forgotten that he was close to the edge.
                In the fraction of a second, Amelia found herself pinned against a tree trunk alongside the path. The box fell from her hand with a loud thud, plunging into the mist on the ground.
                Connor’s body was stiffly pressed against hers, his face just inches from her own. She could feel every curve of his strong demon muscles, immobilizing her against the rough bark of the tree.
                She didn’t even have time to scream as one of his hands gripped her neck, cutting off much of her air supply. His sharp nails dug into her skin, sending a searing pain along her nerves. Amelia’s hands wrapped vainly around his wrist, pushing with all her strength against him, but she might as well have been trying to move the statue of liberty with her bare hands.
                Connor’s eyes burned a bloody crimson and his canine teeth grew longer than she had seen before, baring them in a menacing growl. The skin on his face grew murky and almost leathery,