Page 86 of Soul So Dark

Bad things happen when you go out too far.

I don’t hear any footsteps behind me, so I veer to the right and slide down a gentle slope. The scar in the hillside should offer me some cover to catch my breath. I duck into the eroded indentation and try to slow my heartrate, only for it to skyrocket again when I hear footsteps approach from above.

For some reason I don’t think it’s Alex. If it was, I wouldn’t have this sinking feeling in my gut right now and I wouldn’t be so afraid of him finding me.

Because Alex wouldn’t hurt me.

His shoes crunch on the deadfall above me, knocking dirt over the edge of the drop-off onto my shoulder.

Don't look down...please, don't look down...

“Daaaaallas…” croons a voice I don’t recognize.

The adrenaline turns to nausea and my heart feels like it’s pounding so hard it’ll split right out of my chest. But I don’t move, because there’s still a chance he doesn’t know where I am. Barely breathing, I tilt my head ever so slightly to look up. Then my jaw tightens when I see a loop of thin, neon orange nylon cord hanging just over the ledge.

If they catch you…

My muscles tense in preparation to flee when there’s a thud, and then a curse followed by shuffling in the leaves. I take the opportunity to launch myself away from the hillside and along the bottom of the ravine. I can’t run further into the forest, or else I’ll never find my way out. Instead, I keep running until I can’t hear anyone behind me and I can scramble back up the hill.

I’m finally running back in the direction I came when someone blindsides me, knocking me right off my feet and whisking me across the dirt. My back hits a tree and I gasp, about to scream, when a hand flies over my mouth.

“Shhh...” whispers a familiar voice. “I told you I'd find you,Angelína.”

I grab Alex’s wrist and empty the air from my lungs with a sigh of relief.

“What are you doing out here by yourself?” he smiles.

“No room for my giant ass in the outhouse,” I grumble.

“Just as well,” Alex narrows his eyes, “because you’re insomuch trouble.”

“Why?” I scoff.

He slowly runs his fingers through my hair at the base of my skull. “For sending pictures like that.” His tone turns menacing as he tightens his fist, making me wince. “Who else did you send them to?”

“No one.” It comes out like a plea, high-pitched and airy.

“You sure, Dal?” he growls against the side of my cheek.

“Y-yes.”

Alex loosens his grip and lets his hand drop down my back and over the curve of my ass. “You’re not treating me like your brother,” then he gives it a harsh squeeze, making me flinch, “so, I’m not going toactlike your brother.”

I try to tamp down the smile aching to come out. I don’t even know why I’m trying to hide it because he sees it immediately. Just then, another scream echoes through the woods nearby, followed by more laughter. Alex releases me and starts backtracking, motioning for me to follow. Soon, a long shape materializes in the trees. It’s a car—anoldcar.

“Come on, Dal, before the werewolves catch you,” he teases as he jerks open the rusted door on the boxy sedan rotting into the earth.

I don’t ask questions, only climb into the backseat over the cracked leather upholstery. He follows behind, ripping a shred of the sagging, gauzy ceiling fabric out of his way as he goes. Then he slams the door, abruptly plunging us both into silence.

I can barely see out the windows, covered in a film of forest grime and cracks stretching across the glass like spiderwebs. Weeds jut up through the rotting floorboards and remnants of old animal nests lay scattered over the front seats. I glance around my feet, hoping there’s not a raccoon still taking up residence in here.

“This is a way better hiding place,” I admit.

Alex settles back against the seat. “Someone has to look out for you, since Bryce wasn’t up for the challenge.”

“She’s nice, though.”

“Mm-hmm,” he looks me up and down, “how was the ride up here?”