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Aliya said nothing, but she wanted to scream. She clung tighter to her backpack straps and prayed like she’d never prayed, not even when she and Sydnee Lee had fought off a black bear backpacking the Appalachian Trail for their senior trip. She remembered then what her dad had taught her as a youth, and she concentrated on it now—fight with any kind of weapon you can find and don’t stop fighting.
Eventually the bear had given up and left them alone, but she was terrified Jared wouldn’t do the same. The glint in his gray eyes was ugly and horrifying.
“This is going to end with me having all the fun I want with you, taking your I.D. and your money and then … here comes your choice.”
Gracie’s screams cut off, and that made Aliya more terrified than ever. Her palms were so slick on the backpack she hoped she could hold onto it.
Had Ammon killed Gracie? No! He couldn’t. He’d been so sweet with her. Too sweet … ‘Too good to be true,’ Gracie had sighed just last night. Apparently that saying was as true as the Good Book.
Aliya couldn’t catch a full breath. Her gut churned with horror and her pulse raced out of control. Please help, please help, she prayed to anybody in heaven who had a spare minute. She wanted to glance around for a weapon but didn’t dare look away from Jared.
“I’d rather keep you alive and turn you over to some friends who will pay me even more than what I’ll glean stealing your cash, maxing out your credit cards, and selling your identity. Unfortunately, if you put up a fight, throw a screaming tantrum, or give me any grief, I’ll have to slit that pretty throat and leave your body somewhere only the wolves will find it.” He paused. “What’ll it be, Aliya? Death or submission?”
He studied her, and the only sound was the twittering of birds and a soft wind rustling leaves on the trees. Gracie wasn’t screaming any longer. Not a peep. Cold sweat dripped down her back. Please let Gracie be okay.
“Come now, little bird. I know this is a lot to take in, but you’ve been confident and full of that southern sass. Don’t disappoint me now.”
Don’t stop fighting.
She had to fight, but how and with what? Clinging to her backpack straps, she let her gaze sweep the ground quickly before meeting Jared’s grayish-blue gaze. He had all the time in the world to taunt, defile, and murder her. Nobody around to help, and nobody to hear her scream.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Her mama had said that phrase so many times it had become a family motto. Aliya had always believed she was tough, but she’d never been faced with the likes of a murderous backstabber like Jared.
She prayed for help and faith and strength and tilted up her chin. Faith, grit, and Southern pride would get her through, or get her killed.
“I rightly believe that I will be choosing death,” she said, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
Jared smiled and stepped closer.
Aliya whipped her backpack off and swung it at his head. It connected and knocked him to the side. He cursed, grabbed the backpack with his free hand, and yanked on it. Aliya held tight to the straps for a beat, and then she shoved the backpack at him, releasing her grip on it at the same time.
He sprawled backwards, landing on his rump. The look in his eyes was full of surprise and fury. Before he could react, Aliya scooped up a large rock and chucked it at him. It connected with his forehead and Jared actually looked dazed.
Spinning, Aliya raced up the trail, away from Jared and away from Ammon and Gracie. She hated leaving Gracie behind, but she’d been lucky to escape from Jared. No way could she take on both Jared and Ammon. She prayed desperately that Gracie wasn’t dead, that she could get help for her and her friend, and that she could get away from Jared.
Footsteps pounded behind her. Her heart pounded louder and faster than the footsteps. Jared was coming.
No, please no! Somebody help me!
She couldn’t catch her breath and her legs were taking a beating as she increased her pace. She couldn’t let Jared catch her. Feeling lightheaded from the terror and the sprint uphill, she could not slow down.
Jared’s voice floated up the trail to her. “You can’t get away from me, little bird.”
Was he closer? He was gaining on her. No!
Nobody around to help. Gracie probably already dead. Jared closing the distance and Ammon wouldn’t be far behind. She looked over her shoulder to gauge how far away he was, but she couldn’t see him through the thick trees.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
She had to go, and fast.
Aliya prayed and increased her pace and miraculously her legs kept moving, even seemed to gain a little strength and speed. Sprinting up the mountain path, she could hear Jared’s footsteps coming closer and closer. Her head pounded in pace with his footsteps. Her legs ached, but she would not slow down.
She finally, finally reached the apex and started down the other side of the crazy steep mountainside. Far below, she could see a beautiful valley with a few open meadows and a lake. Suddenly, the trail was bisected by a fast-moving stream. It wasn’t wide enough to be a river, but it looked deep and the water churned with an obviously strong current. It was mid-June, but they’d seen snow and this stream was choked with spring runoff.
She didn’t want to get swept downstream, but she had little choice but to go through the creek. If she tried to find a better crossing, Jared would reach her. She couldn’t go back. She didn’t even have her backpack with her pepper spray and phone. Not that her phone had any service.
