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HALLIE
I ’ve counted six flares go off so far. Well…a couple of them I’m not sure weren’t gunshots.
I haven’t moved a muscle. I have no clue how long I’ve been up here.
There’s rustling beneath me. I peer down, quiet as I can, and my heart hammers against my ribs.
It’s one of the contestants.
And I think…it’s just between me and her now. If I’m right about the flares meaning a woman’s been eliminated, then we’re the last two.
I rest my head back against the tree trunk and hold my breath.
When I win…how do I know they won’t just kill me? How do they know that I won’t go straight to the cops? Am I going to forever be looking over my shoulder, waiting to be taken again?
That isn’t a life I want.
I don’t trust them. I don’t trust any of this.
Am I supposed to still run?
Fuck.
I just want Conan. If I’m running to anyone, it’s to him. I know he will keep me safe. He will look after me.
With him by my side, I might get over the mental turmoil of this whole thing. I need him.
Part of me thinks I should just let myself die up in this tree instead. But I haven’t gotten this far for nothing. If there is just even a chance that I get my freedom, I have to take it.
My stomach rumbles. I squeeze my arms tight around it, trying to quiet the noise.
Then I hear it.
Heavy boots.
Crunching through the leaves like thunder.
And I go completely numb. All the hairs on my arms rise like they know. That has to be him.
The Hunter of Inferno.
Okay, Hallie—think.
Maybe when I hear the final flare go off…I make a run for base camp. At least it’s out in the open. I’m not staying up here if I’ve won this damn game.
I have to take the risk. Two million dollars is life changing, but right now? I’d exchange that just to survive.
Screams rip through the woods.
My whole body erupts in goosebumps.
Should I be elated? I’ve just won. Or so I think. If my guesses are correct.
But I’m not. I can’t be. Not until I’m out of this hellhole.
I swear to God, I can hear him dragging her through the leaves.
A sob escapes my throat before I can stop it. I slam both hands over my mouth.
The screams cut off. Just silence now.
Horrifying.
Suffocating.
Like living inside a fucking horror film.
I wipe my tears with the back of my hand. Wait for the stillness to settle again.
And when it does, I’ll make my move.
Table of Contents
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- Page 64 (Reading here)
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