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I flip it over, expecting more. That’s it? A stupid riddle?
I repeat it a few times while my entire body shivers. “What’s harder to catch, the faster you run?”
The sound of a chainsaw nearby has my heart jumping into my throat as I grab the lantern handle. It gets louder and louder, as the handler comes closer and closer. It's not just one, it’s two—maybe three. They close in on me. One from the back, and one on each side. Definitely three.
Do something, Scar. Think. Move. Run.
I move quickly, and the next thing I know, I’m dodging branches and jumping over rocks before my mind even processes what’s happening.
No matter how far I get, the distance doesn’t increase between me and the sound.
“Stop it!” I shout, feeling light-headed and off-balance.
I keep running, unsure where I’m going. My body shivers as chills prick my skin.
They’re fucked up. No. They’re beyond fucked up. They’re deranged. These guys are not human. They’re soulless bastards.
My throat swells as I choke back the tears that beg to fall. This is what they want. They want me to crumble, so they can sweep up the pieces and mold me into whatever the hell they want.
Something, or someone rather, comes out of nowhere, and I crash right into him, or her. My body flies backward and my back hits the ground, knocking the air out of my lungs.
I grunt, trying to reach for the lantern that flew from my hand. I’ve almost got it, when a black boot stomps down on it, shattering the glass casing and extinguishing the flame.
Swallowing hard, I try to get a grip and stand, but my shaky limbs don’t allow it.
“Take a minute, Scar,” my offender says. It’s a familiar voice—masculine and deep, sexy and mysterious.
“Neo?”
A shift in the air tells me he’s near. I listen intently to the crunch of the leaves. The scent of worn leather and pine floods my senses and I’m assured it is, in fact, Neo.
My hand extends, needing to find out how close he is, and when I hit his leg, I quickly retreat.
If it were the light of day, I wouldn’t be so feeble. But in the dark, I am weak. They know this. They know my fears and they indulge in them like their own personal drug. Getting high on my misery. Basking in my unease like it’s warmth to their cold hearts.
“How are you enjoying the games so far?”
I spit at him, hoping I hit his face, but his lack of anger leads me to believe I missed. “Fuck you! You assholes could’ve killed me.”
“Yet, here you are, alive and well.”
I push myself up until I’m sitting on the ground. “Just lead me the hell out of here, so I can go back to my room and plot your demise.”
I’m almost on my feet when I’m shoved back down. This time, I land on my ass. My fingertips dig into the soil as I bite down on the urge to claw this asshole’s eyes out.
“Not so fast, Scar. You’re not finished yet. You need to catch your breath. You were running pretty fast.”
“Because you jerks were chasing me with chainsaws.”
“Quit being so dramatic.They didn’t have the chain in them. And you should be thanking me for that. Had we not brought them, you’d be running in the wrong direction.”
“You expect me to thank you?” I laugh, fisting chunks of dirt in my hands. “I’d rather find my way out of here alone in the dark while risking hypothermia than be anywhere near you three.”
“Now, that’s not very nice. You don’t even know the guys who helped me tonight.” I can feel him getting closer again. This time, it’s too close for comfort. His warm breath hits the nape of my neck and my entire body stills, all but my heart that’s rapid firing against my rib cage.
“As if it would be anyone other than Crew and Jagger. “
“Oh, but it was.” His fingers run along the hem of my short sleeves, fingertips grazing my skin. He exhales, this time the air spilling down the V of my drenched tee shirt. My nipples pucker on impact.
