Page 23 of Hunted

I run back and forth, my panic growing heavier with each step. Ineedto find Steve. He’s been there with me every day for years. He’s helped me through every pain-filled thought, every nightmare fueled night, he’s… my rock.

Someone steps into my path, and I stumble back in surprise. When I look up, Bower stands there dripping wet, his expression filled with concern. He reaches out to me, arms open, and asks, “Zee, what’s wrong?”

Normally I’d be admiring his ripped body, covered in water and glistening in the sun, but my mind won’t let me focus on that right now. Instead, I’m spiraling, barely holding it together as panic claws its way up my throat.

“Where’s Steve?” I ask, turning around in a circle as my eyes search the sand.

“Steve?”

I whip back around to face him. “Yes! Steve! He was here yesterday, where is he?”

“Who’s Steve?” Reece asks. I turn and see all four of them are closing in on me, watching me with looks of apprehension on their faces.

“It’s what she calls her rock,” Kingsley explains. The sound of his voice makes me panic again. I can’t tell if he’s simply explaining it or if there’s a hint of frustration in his voice, like he thinks I’m stupid for caring so much about a rock.

“I had it right here,” I say, my voice growing louder. “I used it yesterday to—” I cut myself off as my hands clench into fists. I close my eyes, the memory of all that blood is not only fresh in my mind, but it’s so much like last time that the events overlap in my head, bringing tears to my eyes as my breathing starts to become labored.

“Oh, that rock,” Reece says quickly. “I, um… I got rid of it.”

I whirl on him, my wide eyes filled with fear. “What do you mean,you got rid of him?Where is he, Reece?”

“It was covered in blood, and was evidence against you, so I threw it away.”

“Evidence?” I ask, exasperation coating my voice. “Do you see CSI out here?” I wave my arms around as I stare him down.

“They could show up some day, we don’t know.”

“Reece!” I yell, stepping towards him. “Where. Is. Steve?” I ask through clenched teeth, my heart beating so fast I think it might actually leap from my chest.

His eyes flick to the ocean before meeting mine, a small glimmer of guilt filling his gaze. “I threw it in the ocean.”

“No!” I gasp, turning to look. It only takes me half a second to decide what to do next.

I take off, running as fast as I can towards the water, avoiding both Weston and Bower’s outstretched arms as they yell, “Wait!”

When I hit the water, I don’t stop. I have no idea how far he threw it, but I’ll comb this entire ocean if I have to.

When the water reaches my waist, I dive under, arms outstretched as my hands search the sandy bottom. Visibility is nonexistent, the current churning too wildly for any hope of clarity. I close my eyes and rely on touch, sweeping my hands across the sand as I swim in a straight line, pushing forward as far as I can before I’m forced to surface for air.

“Zee!” I hear them yelling my name, but I don’t stop, I just take a big breath and dive back under, continuing my search.

The next time I come up, I’m gasping for breath, but I can’t stop. IneedSteve.

“Zee! Stop!” Weston yells my name, and I give him a quick glance, seeing he’s only a few feet away now. Not wanting him to stop me, I dive back under, my fingers exploring the ocean floor. They snag on something hard and smooth, and I grip it with both hands and push the surface, breathing in a lungful of air as I lift the rock up to look at it.

My heart drops, instantly realizing it isn’t Steve. I growl in frustration and throw it further out to sea.

Just as I start taking in another deep breath, ready to go back under, arms wrap around me from behind and I’m pulled against a firm chest.

“Let me go!” I yell, trying to pry Weston’s arms off me.

“Not happening.” He grunts when I elbow him in the side.

“West! I need to find him!” I plead before finally sagging in his arms as tears of frustration start to fall.

He doesn’t respond, but he hugs me tighter, his head dropping to rest against the back of mine.

“Please,” I say, quieter this time as I pull on his arm. “I can’t lose him.”