I swing low and fast, slicing into the back of his ankle where the tendon is exposed. The blade cuts through flesh and tendons in one clean motion.
Asher screams.
His foot collapses under him, and he drops hard to one knee. The crossbow slips from his hands and hits the ground. He grabs at his ankle, blood spilling between his fingers as his balance fails completely.
“You fucking—” His voice breaks.
I don’t wait.
I crawl forward and drive the scalpel into his thigh. The blade goes deep. He screams again and swings blindly, striking my face with the back of his hand. Stars burst behind my eyes, but I hold on.
He reaches for my hair. I shove the scalpel in again, higher this time, twisting as I pull it free. Blood soaks through his pants.
Asher falls backward, scrambling with his good leg, trying to put distance between us. He drags the crossbow toward himself with shaking fingers.
I push it away.
He roars and lunges, grabbing my wounded shoulder. Pain detonates through my arm as he shoves me onto my back. His weight crushes the air from my lungs.
“I’m going to kill you—”
I bring the scalpel up and slash across his forearm. His skin splits. Blood runs freely. He recoils just enough for me to twist sideways.
Asher tries to stand, but his injured foot buckles. He crashes back down, grabbing at me desperately, fingers slick with rain and blood, his breathing ragged.
I drive the scalpel into the side of his neck.
The blade sinks in deep.
Asher freezes.
His mouth opens, but no sound comes out.
I pull the blade free. Blood erupts from his neck, spraying across my hands as I drive the scalpel into his eye. Resistance gives way. Blood pours down his chest and soaks into the dirt beneath him, darkening the ground as rain mixes with it.
His grip loosens, then his body goes slack and collapses onto his side.
I don’t breathe.
I wait. I watch.
Only when the blood stops pumping in violent bursts and slows into a thick, heavy stream do I let air back into my lungs.
I pull myself away, wincing as pain flares through my shoulder. I sit back on my knees, chest heaving, arms trembling. I tear the bolt out of my shoulder, teeth clenched as heat and pressure follow it free.
The scalpel is still lodged in Asher’s eye. I wrap my fingers around the handle and rip it out. Blood spills down his face as his body sags.
I wipe the blade on his shirt and turn toward the crossbow. I crawl, grab it, and hook it over my good shoulder. My arm screams, but my legs hold.
The forest stays alive with sound as the wind rises and the rain comes down harder.
I don't wait to find out who is still alive. I move forward, keeping one hand on the crossbow while the other stays ready.
I am done running.
I hear boots pound behind me. I turn and raise the crossbow, my arms shaking while pain tears through my shoulder.
Enzo bursts from the trees, stun baton snapping with sparks. He grins like he can't wait.
