Page 8 of Marked for Execution

“You’re lucky you didn’t run into trouble on the way back,” I told them, my back still aching from the fight earlier.

“Bloodsuckers aren’t known to go that far into resistance territory.”

“We onlyhopethat’s how it works. For all we know, they’re just biding their time until they can make it a human blood farm.”

With that morbid thought, we all headed back to our respective vehicles. Samuel jumped into the driver’s side and mumbled under his breath for only me to hear. “We’re going to have to prepare for that, you know.”

Looking out the vehicle's front windshield, I rubbed my fingers on my right temple with my elbow out the window. “Don’t I know it.”

The drive back left me with an uneasy feeling in my gut about what the future held for us as a species. Sneaking a glance at the rearview mirror, I stared at the kid who still hadn’t said a word since everything happened.

First things first. I needed to find out what the hell happened back there.

Chapter 2

Fitri

The moment we pulled back into the community and behind the gates was the moment my knees bounced with anxiety. My skin felt tight despite my clothes being loose and covering much of me. The tears would have to be repaired; I didn’t have too many other pairs to switch out. Forcing myself to calm down, I waited until Samuel pulled into our designated garage. When he put the vehicle in park, I immediately opened the door and jumped out.

I knew the big guy would have questions for me. My heart pounded with every step I took away from the group.

“Hey!” he yelled as if on cue.

I walked faster, kept my head down and my ball cap low.

“Hey, kid!”

Biting my lip, I concentrated hard on the path back to my residence. I picked a home closer to the back of the community, in the shadows, away from the main crowd. I swiftly zig zagged around homes as I tried to get him off my trail.

Chancing a look back to see if I lost him, my body slammed into something hard, knocking me off my feet. Before I could fall, hard arms caught me, and my heart stopped.

Don’t look up, don’t look up.“S-Sorry.”

I dodged around the body and continued on my way but only made it a few paces before a warm hand gripped my arm tightly.

“Where are you off to in such a rush? I just want to talk to you.”

It was the big guy from the outing. I shouldn’t have jumped in. I shouldn’t have done what I did.

It was too late now; I couldn’t go back.But I could still try to get away.

I jerked my arm, but he wouldn’t let go. Panic set in and I kicked him in the gut, knocking him off me. I ran, jumping hedges that whipped and scratched me while I weaved in and out of different yards. I made it to the next house’s empty backyard when he slammed into my back. My face hit the ground with a hardthud, sending stars into my vision.

Groaning, I turned and threw an elbow, only to have him block it with his forearm. I automatically moved my other arm, and we both struggled until he locked my wrists on either side of my head with his brute strength. He was a heavy son of a bitch, but my small body made it easy for me to pull my knees up and plant my feet on his stomach. He growled the same moment I kicked again, knocking him off just enough for me to twist and crawl.

“What the hell is wrong with you, kid? Are youthatafraid of some questions? Damn.”

He landed on top of me, slamming my head into the ground again as pain radiated through my skull. I growled and kicked back, but he had his arm against the back of my neck, and his entire body weight pushed me down into the grass.

I realized my baseball cap had flown off as I turned my head.Dammit!My panic reached an all-time high as I searched for escape routes.

“Fuck, I’m getting too old for this shit,” was the last thing I heard before he man-handled me and slammed me onto my back.

My eyes widened and so did his. We were both heaving as we stared at one another in alarm.

Moments passed, and I could feel my face flame from how hard he stared at me—scrutinizing me.

“Either my eyes are deceiving me and you're just a really feminine looking kid who hasn’t hit puberty yet, or…”