“Remember the rules. No killing. Everything else is permissible.”
Is he talking about us? Or them in regard to each other? Neither answer gives me comfort.
I take up my spot next to June. She stares at me with stark terror gripping her features while Brenda trembles next to me. I wish I could say something reassuring to them, but nothing comes to mind. The only thing I can focus on is getting out of this contract by whatever means necessary.
“Brides,” the leader says, “your time begins in five…”
My heart lurches in my chest as I bend my knees in preparation to bolt.
“Four…”
I look at June, encouraging her without words that we can do this. Although fear is like a corset around my ribcage, making it hard for me to breathe.
“Three…”
With my fists by my sides, I stare straight ahead, ignoring the men around me. Their gazes are ravenous, like a pack of wolves about to be set on a lamb. I might be wearing white, but my soul is dark enough to give them hell.
“Two…”
Fuck this guy.
“One.”
I take off.
In that moment, I forget about everything and everyone except myself and my need for freedom. If I get out of this nightmare, I’ll be in a better position to help June and Brenda. Maybe.
The wind whistles past my ears. It blows loose strands of hair across my face, the silky pieces sticking to my lips. I don’t take the time to fix it.
Every second counts. I can’t spare a single one.
My feet pound against the earth in time with my rapid heartbeats. Every sound is now heightened. The rustling leaves.My breaths. A snapping twig. But the loudest noises are my thoughts.
Faster. FASTER.FASTER.
Ahead, the moon casts a spotlight through the treetops. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and completely at odds with the terror streaming through my body.
I continue forward, keeping my path straight to achieve the shortest distance to my goal. The forest plays tricks on my senses, casting menacing shadows on uneven terrain.
I trip and stumble. Then push through, never stopping as fear bites at my heels like a rabid animal. The forest is a blur as I weave through the natural labyrinth. However, my motivation is clear.
Don’t get caught, or I’ll face something worse than death. A complete loss of freedom.
A flash of movement catches my eye.
My heart stops. Panic takes over, and I pivot, making a hard left turn. And then another.
The recruit chasing me mimics my steps, his speed eclipsing mine. He closes the distance between us and grabs my forearm.
The pull on my arm causes me to come to an abrupt halt. Pain shoots from my shoulder like a blaze of fireworks.
“Fuck!” I gasp.
The masked figure yanks me in his direction. I lean into the momentum, spinning toward him with my other arm raised. My elbow connects with his stomach, and he grunts.
Before he can trap my arm between our bodies, I reach up and grip my hair pin. The man’s eyes widen in surprise when I drive the pointed end into the soft skin of his neck, just under the dotted mask.
The leader said no killing, but everything else is fair game, including stabbing.
