We don’t say anything for a moment; just stand there as the scalding-hot water pours over us.
“They’re tracking our locations with the bracelets,” I whisper.
She looks shocked. “How do you know that?”
“I don’t. It’s only a hunch, but I’d bet anything. We were out of range for the cameras and the microphones to work, but the bracelets were still transmitting. That’s how they found us so fast.”
“Why would they do that?” Courtney whispers, a tremor shaking her voice, her fingers still twisting and rubbing her necklace.
I shake my head as I look around the room, grateful for the rare privacy of the steam.
“I don’t think we’re on a normal reality TV show.”
“Landon, I’m scared,” she whimpers.
“I know, babygirl. I know.”
Chapter Thirty
Courtney
Landon and I decide to go to bed after our shower. Mainly because I don’t know how the fuck to pretend everything is okay when clearly it isn’t. We aren’t safe; I don’t know what to believe or who to trust. Honestly, the only thing I know for certain to trust in is Landon. We’ve been inseparable lately, but all day today, it’s like we’re one person. He doesn’t leave my side, even for a moment. This man has even been following me to the bathroom and waiting on the other side of the door. He doesn’t know how much I appreciate it.
My mind is still reeling as I try to make sense of everything, but the pieces are clicking into place. I don’t get it. Something had to have happened between Cora and Andrew being voted off and us finding Andrew’s head at the bottom of an isolated lake in the forest. Less than twenty-four hours, what the fuck could have happened?
Did Andrew fight with someone? Did he accidently fall and smash his head on a rock, after which it popped off like a cherry and rolled into the lake? Not likely, but what’s the alternative? To believe that there’s something seriously fucked up going on here?That when people are getting voted off, they aren’t going home? They’re…
Oh my God.
Cora’s bunny.
She wouldn’t have left that, not in a million years. No matter how upset she was, she just… wouldn’t have.
Does that mean they didn’t pack themselves? Or at all?
My stomach has been in knots since yesterday, and I don’t think there’s any sign of that easing. Images of Andrew’s head plagued me all night, and I kept waking up in a cold sweat. Landon reminded me it was okay and I was safe each time, but am I? Are any of us?
A piece of popcorn hits my chest, and I blink out of my thoughts to see Luna staring at me expectantly.
“Dude, what is your issue? You’re, like, tuning me out.”
I shake my head and do my best to feign a smile. Landon and I both agreed it would be best to act as if nothing happened. We don’t know how closely we’re being watched, but if I had to guess based on how disbelieving that woman was of me, I’d guess very.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell Shane and Luna everything, to devise a plan to get the fuck out of here. I don’t know… anything. I hold back, though, because Landon is right. We hold the power right now. If we remain ignorant, or appear that way at least, we’re safe.
“Sorry. I slept like shit,” I say, shaking my head. “What did you say?” I ask.
Landon’s hand is resting on my thigh in a comforting gesture, and I smile up at him as best as I’m able. He returns a convincing one of his own.
“I said, I fucking miss Cora. That bitch better look us up when she gets home or I’ll kill her.”
My head snaps to Luna. “What did you just say?”
My tone instantly throws her off, it throws me off, but why the fuck would she say that?
Luna side-eyes me like I’ve lost my mind, and honestly, I feel like I have. Standing up, I try to laugh it off and move towards the pool. Before anyone can say or do anything, I dive into the cool water and allow myself to sink to the bottom.
I’ve been a fucking wreck these past few days. I feel like my body is shutting down—I can’t eat; I can’t sleep. My body is wired with adrenaline, looking for anything and everything that could be suspicious. Landon is being supportive but also telling me I need to keep my emotions in check. I’m trying, but I’m fucking scared. Now more than ever, I wish I could talk to Lily. I’m kicking myself for sending that letter. They have the address of where she’s staying now. If they’re capable of hurting Andrew, what could they do to my sister if they found out what I knew?
