Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
The moon was high in the sky, casting a deathly glow over the deserted beach. I stumbled over rocks hidden beneath the shallow water leading to the wave breaks used for the harbor, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t afford to slow down. I made my way to the pile of rocks and began to climb. I knew I couldn’t outrun this man. But maybe I could be more nimble and climb faster.
Higher and higher I climbed until I reached the top of the rocks. I was panting and gasping for breath, but I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me. Maybe I could get away after all. But as I turned to face my pursuer, my hope quickly turned to despair. The stranger was climbing up after me, his bone mask glinting in the moonlight. He was determined to catch me, and I knew that I had very little time left to escape.
But I was running out of space to go. Once I reached the top of the rocks, the only way down would be to jump into the sea below.
As I looked down at the waves crashing below me, I knew that the only way out was to jump. I couldn’t afford to hesitate, not even for a second. I took a deep breath and readied myself to jump, but the stranger was right behind me. Before I could even move, he grabbed me by the ankle and pulled me back down to the rocks.
I screamed as my head hit the rocks and stars exploded in my vision. The stranger loomed over me, his bone mask gleaming in the moonlight. He didn’t speak, but I could feel the malice radiating from him.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he asked, speaking for the first time. “Are you crazy!”
And then everything went black.
Chapter 21
Locke
Braken found me in the office at The Vault. I knew something was wrong before he even opened his mouth.
“There’s been an accident,” he said. “But she’s okay.”
“Who? What happened?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Braken took a deep breath. “It’s Storee. She was in an accident tonight, but she’s in the hospital, and they say she’s going to be okay.”
“What the fuck?” Why would Braken be notified and not me?
“I got a call from James Doren who participated in The Hunt tonight. He was hunting… Storee and—”
Rage sizzled through me. “What did that asshole do?”
Braken raised his hands and shook his head. “Of course we’ll investigate, but James swears he did nothing wrong. He said Storee got spooked or something and really ran. Climbed some rocks, slipped, and got knocked unconscious. He took her straight to the hospital.”
I slammed my fist on the table, unable to contain my anger. “Motherfucker! She told me she wasn’t doing it. She—” I stood up from my chair and grabbed my coat from its back. I shouldn’t have simply taken her word. I should have double checked the list.
“I didn’t pay close attention to the participants this weekend,” Braken said. “I should have—”
“Let’s go. We need to get to her,” I interrupted, hating only myself for not predicting something like this could happen.
Everything went by me in a blur as I stormed into the clinic determined to find Storee immediately.
“I’m here for Storee Brooks,” I said to the front desk. “I’m her father.”
The young woman from the desk looked up at me skeptically, clearly knowing exactly who I was. Heathens Hollow wasn’t a large town, and everyone knew everyone. But when she nodded, most likely grateful I gave her the easy out to cover her ass if anyone questioned her about only letting next of kin in the emergency room, I knew I’d chosen wisely to lie.
“She’s in the back waiting for the doctor to come in and speak with her.”
Without waiting another second I rushed to the back room, the sound of my boots echoing through the sterile halls. As I pushed open the door, I saw Storee sitting on the edge of the examination table, her hands clasped together tightly in her lap. She looked up at me with wide, tearstained eyes as I moved toward her.
“Locke,” she whispered, relief visible on her face.
She wore the white nightgown that was required for The Hunt. It was dirty and torn, and I instantly removed my jacket and put it over her shoulders. She was barefoot and appeared so broken.
“What happened, sweetheart?” I asked, concern lacing my voice. I sat down on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine. “Are you okay?”
She nodded her head, the tears spilling over. “I’m fine. I slipped and hit my head, but I’m okay.”
I looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
“I know I promised you I wouldn’t do The Hunt again. And, well…” her voice trembled, “…I’m sorry. I should have listened. But it’s not exactly what you think. I… everything just snowballed out of control.”