Page 84 of Soul So Dark

“Bryce should know,” Layla grins over her shoulder. “She’s the one who’s been working on Colson all year.”

“You meanhe’sbeen working onher,” Logan giggles.

“Guys,” Bryce kicks the back of Layla’s seat.

A heavy silence descends as soon as they remember that I’m squished in the middle of the backseat while they discuss whether my brother meets the requirements to be considered a fuckboy.Oh, joy.But when I glance at Tyler, she’s gazing out the window in silence. She’s the only one who hasn’t uttered a single word the entire ride.

Finally, we reach the old railroad bridge that looks out over Hellbranch Creek. The trains don’t run on it anymore, so now it’s just an overlook with a few trails and a rusted metal barricade blocking the splintered and dilapidated track. A couple of vehicles are already parked in the clearing with a few silhouettes standing around a burn barrel with a fire going. When I climb out of the Suburban, I recognize Josh and Rory’s faces in the flicker of the flames and then Alex climbs out of his SUV, followed by Aiden.

“Listen up!” Mason’s voice thunders, quieting the group. “Since we only have a week left until graduation, some of us thought it only appropriate that we get nostalgic and come up here to play one of our favorite games—” he pauses with a glint in his eye, “one ofCol’sfavorite games.”

At that, everyone starts snickering and giggling to one another, leaving me totally oblivious.

“Everyone knows the rules of Manhunt,” Mason continues. “I’ll tell you whether you’re a hunter or a fugitive, and after that, it’s every man for himself.”

“Orwoman,” Layla smirks at him.

“Nah,” Mason retorts, “we’re taking you for ourselves, too.”

Laughter skitters through the group as Mason starts making his way around the circle, whispering assignments into each person’s ear. I watch him for a few seconds, but then my eyes come to an abrupt halt on Alex, his face now visible in the glow of the flames. He doesn’t break eye contact even as Mason gives him his order.

“Run and hide,” Alex murmurs as he brushes past me. Then he pulls his black hood over his head. “I’ll find you,” he mouths.

In an instant, the shadows absorb him and he vanishes into the pitch-black forest.

“Fugitive,” Mason whispers in my ear as he continues around the circle.

As soon as he whispers in Bryce’s ear, she turns and grabs my wrist. “Come on,” she hisses with excitement, taking off toward the tree line with the rest of the girls.

“Dallas,” Colson’s deep voice stops me in my tracks, “are you good?”

I nod with as much reassurance as I can muster. “I’m fine.”

“I promise I’ll stay with her,” Bryce chimes in reassuringly, holding Colson’s eyes for a few moments before he finally nods and lets us go.

Once we set foot in the woods, Jordy and Layla break away from the group, taking off in a different direction. I follow Bryce as she leads me and Logan deeper into the woods. I think we’re on a trail because I’m not tripping over brush.

“Is this like Hide-N-Seek?” I ask, trying to keep my eyes on the path.

“Sort of,” Bryce replies as she suppresses a smile.

I feel Logan close behind me at my shoulder. “You know what happens if they catch you,” she murmurs salaciously.

I turn over my shoulder to meet her dark eyes.

“They fuck you,”she mouths insidiously.

“What?” I hiss, my eyes darting around the forest and feeling more claustrophobic by the second.

Bryce shoots Logan a warning look. “Don’t worry, no one’s going to mess with you.” She tries to sound reassuring, but I’m not sure even she believes that.

We pick up the pace until Bryce veers off toward a decaying shack. It’s small, almost like a chicken coop, but it’s set partially into the ground like a storm cellar. Half a door still hangs on the rusted-out hinges and it looks empty, making it a pretty stellar hiding place. The only problem is that after Logan ducks inside, followed by Bryce, there’s no room for me. There’s a scream in the distance, followed by laughter, and Bryce curses under her breath. As much as I don’t want to run around these woods by myself, I also don’t want to be found by one of these goons.

“It’s OK,” I whisper, glancing behind me, “you stay, I’ll be fine.”

Before Bryce can object, I flash a smile as her life probably flashes before her eyes, and turn to sprint back through the trees. The shouts and laughter get fainter the further I flee into the woods. I don’t want to go too far, so I slow down and decide to walk perpendicular to the sound.

The last time one of us went tramping through the woods, it didn’t go so well.