Page 92 of The Love Interest

“Specifics, please.”

“It’s a robot,” I say. “A big robot strong enough to pull people apart. They’re also expert trackers, and they’re scary fast. So far, they’ve got a perfect track record of catching fleeing Love Interests. No one gets away from a Stalker.”

“But they’re not us,” says Natalie.

“Everyone thinks that,” says Dyl. “Everyone thinks they’re the exception.”

“No, she’s right,” I say. “They’ve never had to face us. We have a shot.”

Silence falls over the truck. Juliet reaches a stop sign and the truck slows to a crawl. We’re already at the outskirts of town, and after this corner there’s a long stretch of road surrounded by paddocks. I stare at the rearview mirror.

Out of the darkness, an eyeless face emerges. The swath of shadow unfurls, revealing the rest of the Stalker in all its horrific glory. The little rivers of light on its chest glow like fireflies in the darkness. Its toeless foot steps forward.

“Go!”I scream, my hand slapping the steering wheel.“Go!”

Juliet’s eyes dart to mine, then she follows my stare to the mirror and her mouth drops open. She plants her foot on the accelerator and the truck skids around the corner, sending up smoke. We skid across into the opposite lane, which, thankfully, is empty, and then she corrects course and pulls into the other lane. She absolutely guns it. The entire cab vibrates as we shoot forward.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-NINE

“Is it still chasing us?”

We’ve been driving now for almost five hours. My eyes feel dry and heavy, as if they’re being pushed out of my head. My hands are numb, and the hair on my arms is standing up. I peer over my shoulder. Behind me all I can see is a massive wall of darkness. I turn to the left and notice that the earth around us is flat and barren, broken apart only by the occasional tree.

Trevor leans forward. He’s smiling. I grind my teeth together. He shouldn’t be here. He should be safe, in his bed, asleep. So should Juliet and Natalie.

“Want a sour worm?” asks Trevor, offering me a bag filled with neon-colored candy. He’s chewing with his mouth open. “They’re good. And you need to keep your sugar up. It’s almost time to switch dri—”

“I’m fine,” interrupts Juliet. Her eyes are red and puffy. “Really.”

“No, he’s right,” I say. “We need to switch.” I pull a sour worm out from the bag and pop it into my mouth. I bite down hard, cutting off the head. I feel the sugary energy creep through my blood, rushing to my heart and settling the shakiness of my arms. “Let’s do it now. Park, and we’ll both run around then get back in. It’ll take two seconds.”

“It’s going to be out there, Caden,” says Dyl. “It could’ve caught us if it wanted to. It’s doing what they always said it would. It’s tormenting us.”

I shudder. “I know. But it’ll end it for sure if we crash. At least this way we’ve got a shot.”

Juliet puts her foot on the brake and the truck slows. “Now!” she calls.

I jump out and land on the road. I take a few quick steps to regain my balance, then I turn and run toward the front of the truck. Juliet passes me. I reach the front door, which is open.

Natalie screams, high and loud.

I look up.

The Stalker steps out of the darkness.

“Caden!”screams Juliet.“Get in!”

I leap into the truck and slam my foot down on the accelerator.Please please please.The truck charges forward. I grip the wheel and turn it, and the truck skids back onto the road. Wind whips in through the open door. In the rearview mirror the wall of blackness moves forward, covering the Stalker. It raises its mannequin head and meets my stare as the darkness covers its face.

With one hand, I reach out and slam the door shut. The sound vibrates around the cab, then silence falls.

“It’s messing with us,” says Natalie. “But that’s a good thing, right? It buys us time. We just need a plan, and Juliet, you’re the only one who can think us out of this. So you need to sleep, because we need you at full brain power to get us out of this.”

“I’m fine,” says Juliet. “I can think and keep watch.”

“Nat’s right, we need you to sleep,” I say. “You’ve been outvoted, so do it.”