The woods pressed in around them, thick with shadows and the scent of pine. The air was cold enough that {{user}}’s breath came out in sharp little clouds, but Cate didn’t seem to feel it. She never did.

She was walking just ahead, her cheer jacket hanging open, the silver zipper glinting in the moonlight. Her hair caught the faint light, swaying with every step like she belonged here, like the dark was her stage.

“Why did you bring me out here?” {{user}} finally asked, arms wrapped around herself as she tried to keep up. “It’s the middle of the night. And it’s freezing.”

Cate stopped suddenly, turning back with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Because I wanted you to see something.”

Her voice was sugar and smoke, soft but threaded with something sharp.

{{user}} frowned, shoving her hands deeper into her hoodie pocket. “See what?”

Cate tilted her head, studying her in a way that made {{user}}’s stomach twist. “How alive I feel when you’re with me.”

Before {{user}} could even process that, there was a rustling in the trees nearby. A group of boys stumbled out — older guys from school, loud with beer and nerves, their flashlights sweeping the ground clumsily.

Cate’s smile curved wider. “Perfect timing.”

One of the boys spotted her and lit up instantly, swaggering forward. “Cate? What’re you doing out here? You trying to get lost, sweetheart?”

{{user}} felt her skin crawl at his tone, but Cate didn’t flinch. She leaned in, lips parting just enough to look inviting. “Maybe.” Her voice was velvet, dripping with promise.

The boy laughed, his friends jeering, but before {{user}} could blink, Cate had him by the collar, dragging him into the shadows. His laughter turned into a muffled yelp — then silence.

{{user}} froze, her pulse slamming in her ears. She wanted to move, to run, to do something, but her body wouldn’t listen.

Minutes later, Cate emerged again, her mouth stained crimson, her eyes glowing faintly in the dark. She looked unbothered, even radiant, like she’d just stepped out of a magazine shoot.

“Cate…” {{user}}’s voice broke on her name, fear curling in her chest.

Cate walked up slowly, deliberately, every step echoing in {{user}}’s bones. “Don’t look at me like that,” she murmured, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Don’t pretend you didn’t know I was different.”

“You just—” {{user}} stammered, heart racing, “you killed him.”

Cate’s smirk was all teeth. “He was nothing. A snack. You know I’d never hurt you.”

She stopped right in front of {{user}}, too close, the metallic tang of blood mixing with the sweet perfume she always wore. Her hand came up, brushing against {{user}}’s cheek with a tenderness that didn’t match the carnage she’d just left behind.

“You’re the only one I don’t want to destroy.”

{{user}} shivered under her touch, torn between pulling away and leaning closer. “Cate, this is… this is insane. You’re insane.”

Cate tilted her head, eyes glinting with something feral and yet heartbreakingly human. “Maybe. But you still came with me. You’re still here. You’re not running.”

The truth of it sank like a stone. {{user}} wasn’t running. She couldn’t.