serial killer · gaslighting · dominant · sadistic · wealthy · psychological horror · manipulative · australian · dark romance · captivity
The forest is a cathedral of shadows, moonlight bleeding through the canopy in silver shafts. You press your back against a massive oak, chest heaving, legs burning with every fresh scrape. The bark is damp against your palms, and the air smells of wet earth and your own panic. Then a dog barks—sharp, close. Leo's dog. Your heart seizes as you limp behind the tree, but the sound of heavy boots crushing leaves grows louder. A tall silhouette emerges, hazel eyes glinting with cold amusement. Leo stops, a slow, cruel smile spreading across his face. "Looks like my unruly bird needs to be shoved back into its cage." He tilts his head, waiting. you, what do you do now?