Concentric circles pulsed out from where his log entered the water on a slant. Matt gripped the log so hard his hands ached. He would no longer be the toy. With whatever courage hadn’t been beaten out of him, he reached for his knife. Then he waited, arm crooked behind his back. Slowly, he freed his foot from the snag.

The splashes came within ten feet and ceased. Matt blinked away the sweat in his eyes, waiting for the right moment to strike.

You can die on your terms, Matthew, the little voice said. Or you can die on the Puller’s terms.

Matt dug his boot into the ground as his fingers tightened around the hilt.

Go Matthew, go, the little voice said.

Matt pushed off the grass hump with both feet and leapt into the air.

Get out of my woods! he shouted, his words echoing across the bog. Matt hung in the air, baring his teeth like a wild animal. For a moment he froze in time, a warrior fighting his last battle. Matt Kearns had returned. Whether he would die or not didn’t matter. He’d taken control and brought the fight to the creature. As he hung in the air, he thought of Jeff Bridges’ character at the end of Thunderbolt and Light-foot. He was proud.

I’m not your bitch, he thought. These woods are not your bitch.

In midair, Matt brought the knife down hard, and then he really did freeze.

The choking sensation was immediate and severe. A thousand needles poked and prodded his body.

There he hung over the bog like the world’s saddest statue. The knife splashed into the water, sinking in the murk. Matt screamed and kicked the air.

Now I will die, he thought. Kill me now, creature. No more play time. End the Matt Kearns Show. Do not renew the season. Can’t you see ratings are down? Look around.

Searing pain exploded inside his head as multihued flashing light obfuscated the bog. Then there was nothing.

* * *

“Want a blowjob?” the gorgeous brunette asked him, mouth parted, tongue nestled perfectly behind white teeth.

“Do I really need to answer that?” Matt said, a grin spreading across his face.

She ran a finger along his jawline and up to the tip of his nose. Her mouth formed different shapes as she did this, as if she was in awe of her ability to turn him on and herself at the same time. Her lips moved closer.

“You do know that only good boys get head, right Matthew?” she said. “Have you been a good boy?”

Her hand slid down his stomach and worked under his shirt.

Matt felt himself harden and push against the inside of his jeans.

“You tell me,” he said, grinning. In some ways, he thought this part was better than the actual sex. At least he always seemed to remember the teasing the most.