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“Not true?” he says.
“Sadly agree in general, but not with Sadie.”
“Not with the Sadie in her right mind. Forget that part, though. In general, a guy is always going to be more frightening than a woman, right?”
“Granted, but she also likes you better. Whatever anger she has toward you, it’s temporary. I’m the source of her deep-seated…”
“Jealousy?”
“More like anger. Resentment. Whatever it is, I have a feeling she’ll stay if you do.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You could just say you want to do the sneaking up.”
“I didn’t until I thought it through.” I squeeze his arm. “I will be careful, and I will stay where you can see me. I’ll pretend I’m going back for help. Whether she’s in any mental condition to understand or not, she will see me leaving.”
“And then?”
“I sneak up behind her, and when I am close enough to cut off her escape—but not close enough to be in danger—I’ll signal for you and we’ll trap her.”
“Together?”
“Absolutely together. But remember, please, that she’s badly hurt. Even if she attacked me, there’s a limit to what she can do.”
“Yeah, but there’s also a limit to what you’d do toherwhen she’s already hurt.”
“I’ll be careful.”
NINETEEN
I promised to stay in Kit’s line of vision, but I also need to stay out of Sadie’s. That’s tougher than I expected, but if I’m going to prioritize, I need to go with the first part. I made a promise to Kit.
“I’m going back to the house to get Garrett,” I shout, as if to be heard above the wind. I jab my finger in the direction of the house.
“Good idea!” he shouts back.
I take off at a lope. I don’t look toward Sadie. I must pretend that I am completely absorbed in my task. I run through the forest and aim for a tree that’s toppled, roots jutting into the air. I circle around those roots, and for those moments Kit won’t be able to see me, but neither will Sadie. It’ll look as if I’m continuing toward the house.
I stop and hover behind the roots. Catch my breath. Then hunker down and make my way along the trunk. When I peek, Kit is looking in the other direction. Then he checks his watch, as if impatient and glances my way. He spots me, nods and quickly looks back at Sadie. His lips move, as if he’s speaking, but I can’t hear anything.
Hell, I can barelyseeanything. If Kit weren’t in a light-gray hoodie, I’d lose him. The sky is night-dark now. Distant thunder rumbles. Then a flash of lightning has me diving to the ground before I’m spotted.
I check my own clothing. My sweatshirt is pale pink. That comes off, leaving a black T-shirt below. I shiver, but bundle up the sweatshirt and leave it behind. Black tee. Black sweatpants. I’d rather have a hoodie, but my hair is dark. Good enough.
I continue past the branches of the tree. By that point, I’m behind Sadie’s line of vision. I rise up to see over the leafy top. The hood of Kit’s sweatshirt seems to turn in my direction, and I wave one pale hand. He reaches out, as if entreating Sadie, and I hope that’s him saying he sees me. I’ll make sure of it once I’m closer.
I turn my attention to the bushes where she’s hiding. I can see a sliver of her white jersey. I’m definitely behind her. Good.
In a glance, I set my path. It’s mixed forest up here. Foliage has dropped from the birches and ash, and I have to avoid dry piles of leaves, but most of them aren’t at that stage. The evergreen trees will be my friends in this. They lean toward Charlie Brown Christmas tree territory—with the lack of soil and competition for light—but they’re thick enough for me to use, and I creep from one to another.
I’m darting between two when Kit puts out his hand again. Okay, that’s definitely an “I see you” sign. He knows how dark it is, and that I might not notice him looking my way.
Three more trees, and then I’ll be right behind Sadie, and I can ambush her. Yes, I suggested I’d just spook her into running, but if I can grab her unawares, that’s better. She shouldn’t keep moving in her condition.
I don’t even know how sheismoving in her condition.
Sheer will. Like me in the water. I couldn’t feel my arms and legs, but I’d kept going. She can’t feel the pain, and she keeps going.
I run to the next tree. When my foot hits unexpectedly dry leaves, I startle, but even I can’t hear the sound over the wind. Take a moment. Catch my breath again.
