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CHAPTERONE
She didn’t want to die.
“Oh, my God. Oh, my God.” Gemma had no idea where she was. Her head was fuzzy, and she couldn’t think.
She slapped some branches out of her way, running as fast as she could.
Darting between some trees, she ignored the pain in her bare feet. She’d stepped on something, and cut herself. Where were her shoes? Panic and fear hit her like bricks.
She had no shoes on.
She didn’t know where she was.
And someone—several someones—were chasing her.
Air sawed in and out of her lungs. She looked around. Nothing but trees as far as she could see. She sagged briefly against a tree trunk, trying to catch her breath. Trying to think.
In the distance, she heard shouts.
They were looking for her.
Hunting her.
Fighting back a sob, she pushed off the rough bark and kept running.
“I’m not going to die.” She bit her lip. “I’mnotgoing to die.”
Her head throbbed with every beat of her heart. She couldn’t remember anything. It was like there was fog wrapped around her memories, filling her head, obscuring her thoughts. And she was so thirsty.
More shouts.
Keep moving, Gemma.
She had to find a way out of these trees. No one would be coming to help her. She frowned. Her family…
God, she couldn’t remember them. Why was she so sure they wouldn’t be looking for her?
Suddenly, she tripped and slammed into the ground. The air rushed out of her lungs, and she whimpered.
Despair wrapped around her like rope.
She was so alone.
“Get up, Gemma.” She pressed her hands to the rotting leaves on the damp ground. “Get up.”
She pushed to her feet, and the world swam drunkenly. There were colored leaves all around her, which, if she wasn’t running for her life, she’d think were gorgeous. She turned her head, trying to find a path, but everything became a whirl.
She sure wasn’t in LA anymore. She rubbed her forehead. That was home. Her heart thumped against her chest. She should be in LA.
This damn forest wasn’t home. Or were they woods? Wait, what was the difference between a forest and woods, anyway?
She bit back a whimper and shook her head.Focus, Gemma.
A twig snapped nearby.
Close.
Too close.
