Chapter 263: Not Like This (Katelyn's POV)

(Katelyn’s POV)

Harlan’s hand was like a vise around my throat, squeezing tighter and tighter with every passing second. My back was pressed hard against the tree, the rough bark scraping painfully against my bare skin. I gasped for air, but his grip was unrelenting, and the harder I fought, the more hopeless it became.

I tried to claw his hand away from my neck, desperate to pry his fingers loose, but it was pointless. He was too strong and my one arm was all but useless after my fall.

My movements were growing weaker, my strength ebbing away as the lack of oxygen sucked away what little fight I had left.

I kicked out at him, landing blows against his legs and abdomen, but I may as well have been kicking a brick wall. He didn’t even flinch. His eyes burned with rage, his expression twisted with fury, but I could see something else there too... satisfaction. He was enjoying this. Enjoying watching me struggle, watching the life drain out of me.

My chest was burning, my arm was throbbi