Page 470 of Lessons in Cruelty

I spin around, already running again, my jaw clenched hard as I realize he’s herding me into the impenetrable heart of the woods.

Not our woods, but it doesn’t matter, does it?

God knows how far they stretch, but I can only hope I’ll reach civilization before Kai reaches me.

The only other option is to turn and fight, but I know he’s stronger than me. That he can overpower me as easily as a wolf can a kitten.

Out here, my only ally is the darkness.

So I plunge headfirst into it, and beg it to hide me.

But even as I’m running for my life, a fucked-up part of me is getting off on this. My heart is racing, and it’s not just from adrenaline. It’s the same illicit rush I used to get when we played this game as kids.

Fuck, I’ve missed this.

I’ve missed him.

I could stop right now. Turn around. Let him win.

My legs slow for half a second before I force them faster, splashing through puddles, branches whipping my face.

Not because I actually want to get away.

But because Kai loved it when I fought back. When I made him work for it.

His punishments were always worse.

And, exhausted from the chase, I’d never have the strength to resist.

Chapter 52

Kai

I don’t bother suppressing my insane laugh as I race after Haven. She shrieks whenever I get close enough to make a grab for her, and it’s making her desperate and clumsy, hearing how close I am.

Doubt she’s enjoying this game of Hide and Hunt as much as I am, though.

Fuck, if she knew how hard I was right now…

Rain stings as it pelts into my face, and I welcome it, because it means I’m not numb anymore. My bruised feet ache. My lungs still hurt. And Jesus, I doubt I’ll be able to walk tomorrow.

From hypothermia to euphoria.

That’s Haven for you.

My body’s coming alive again, all because of her. And damn it if that doesn’t make me nostalgic as fuck. Heavenly always had a knack for doing that. I’d arrive at the woods numb and disassociated, but she always knew how to bring me down to earth. How to ground me.

And if I got there looking to pick a fight?

Miss H was always happy to take my mind off things.

Somehow, it would always end with me roughing her up. But she didn’t complain. Not once.

Sometimes it felt like she was encouraging me, especially when she put up a fight.

The trees are taller now that we’re deeper inside the woods. Fewer branches to duck. But they’re denser, slowing us both down as we weave around their trunks.

I’m not even sure how she’s finding her way in the dark. We’re both at risk of breaking a leg or, at the very least, twisting an ankle.