Hacked by Tim Miller Page A

everything went quiet. She figured the animal tore her apart. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wanted to feel bad but just couldn’t bring herself to. She’d meant what she said earlier about being sorry about the things she’d said. Though the truth was she was sorrier she’d had to say it.
         Erin was raised a single child in a well-off family. Sharing and sacrifice weren’t things she’d been taught. Everything was always hers growing up and things were always geared in her life to get her ahead. As a result she always knew what buttons to push with people or when to cry to get what she wanted. This whole mess was a completely new thing for her. This guy wasn’t the least bit phased by her or anything she said.
        It did trouble her that Rodney, of all people, found her to be the twisted one for her willingness to abandon a fellow victim. He was the one keeping them hostage, yet he thought she was fucked up? Not that any of it mattered. Now, she just needed to find her way to the road and get a ride. She couldn’t care less about calling the police or seeing justice done. All she wanted was a shower and to get her phone replaced.
         The tape around her hands and wrists was becoming softer as the sun came up and the temperature rose. She walked over to a large rock and wiggled her wrists back and forth while rubbing against the edge of the rock. The tape finally broke free. Her wrists felt a rush of blood running through them and into her fingers. It felt good to get some feeling back in her hands.
         Rubbing her wrists, she stood and headed back down the trail. As she got further down, a man appeared from the woods. He dressed in hunting gear and carrying a rifle.
         “Ma’am?” He asked. “Are you ok?” He was looking her up and down.
         “Thank God!” She said. “Help me! Please!”
         He walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
         “What happened?”
         “Some maniac kidnapped me and my boyfriend. We were out hiking and came across this van. We asked if he had any water. He pulled us into the van where he beat and tortured us. He killed my boyfriend!” Her speech was hurried and she was out of breath.
         “Are you serious? Where is he?” The hunter asked.
         “He’s back there, his van wrecked and I got away. Please. Do you have a car? Please get me out of here.”
         “Yeah, my truck is back that way. What happened to your eyes?”
         “He cut off my fucking eyelids! Now can we just get the hell out of here?”
         “Yeah. Yeah. Come with me. I’m about a half mile back.”
         “What are you doing out here?”
         “Was hunting hogs. This property has been abandoned for years. I come here a few days a week and hunt hogs. I know a few butchers and a taxidermist who pay me good for the carcasses. Plus I like shooting things.”
         “If you see this guy will you shoot him?”
         “Hell yeah. Oh, and I’m Fred by the way.” The hunter said. The man looked to be in his forties or fifties. He had a full beard, a ball cap and wearing a camouflage hoodie and jeans. Erin had no idea how he could wear all that shit in this heat, but whatever. They walked for a dozen or so yards when they heard a scream. Fuck. It had to be Abby. How in the hell was she still alive? And what could she be screaming at?
         “What the hell was that?” Fred asked as he put the butt of his rifle to his shoulder. “Was there another girl with you?”
         “Yeah, but he killed her. I thought for sure she was dead.”
         “Well apparently she’s not. Stay here,” he ordered.
          “Wait? Where are you going? Please don’t go. It’s not safe, he’s dangerous! Let’s just get out of here!”
         “He’s not as dangerous as I am.” Fred lifted the rifle and headed into the woods when another scream sounded.
         Goddammit! Erin just wanted