Growling, I swing my body to the left, waiting for the high end of the swing so I can jump for the next handhold. The cliff face is sheer but not smooth, and there are plenty of jagged edges I can grab.
Any idea how many times I’ve free-climbed, asshole? This ridge is a walk in the park compared to others I’ve done just for fun.
Another rock hurtles down, and I swing to the side, dodging it and getting a new hold at the same time. Jackson laughs.
“You’re quick, you know that? Impressive. You aren’t just a farm boy, are you?”
“Why…the fuck…would you think that?” I gasp, jumping up another few feet.
“I don’t know, I just assumed you were from one of the farming communities—local to Rose Hollow or Eccles. But you’re not, are you?”
“Shut the fuck up,” I mutter, swinging up another step closer.
“Nah…you’re some kind of fighter, aren’t you? Maybe military. I knew when I overheard you and your buddies talking, you had to be something else.”
Fuck! He heard us plotting!
Jackson frowns as I get closer, and I can tell he doesn’t know if he should get another rock or wait for me. He ends up standing right on the ledge, ready to kick my face in the second I get close enough.
I put both hands on a decent hold and press the balls of my feet against the cliff face. I test my weight against the holds, getting ready to spring. Jackson kicks some dirt and rocks into my face.
“Come on, motherfucker,” he mutters. “Let’s get this done, I’ve got places to be.”
Yeah, hell. I’ve got a one-way ticket waiting for you.
I test the edges again, then bounce a little on the wall before putting all my strength into a massive spring. I shoot up over the edge, my arms out to tackle Jackson around the waist. He twists in my arms and tries to reverse it, leaving us grappling on the edge.
“Shit,” I growl as the dirt crumbles under my foot.
Both of us start to slide, and I grab a nearby bush as we both swing over the edge. Jackson grabs my foot as we both go over, and I yell with effort as I try to hold the weight of both of us.
Jackson clings to my foot, looking down at the drop. When he looks back up at me, his face is twisted with hatred.
“I’m not going to die up here,” he curses, climbing my leg.
“No, you’re going to die down there!” I yell, kicking as hard as I can.
I try to shake him off, but Jackson wraps his arms around me, climbing up to my hips. The tree shivers, almost pulled out by the roots as it tries to hold our combined weight.
“Fucker!” I growl, getting one leg up to shove him in the chest. Jackson lets go of me, reaching for the nearby ledge, and grabs it, yanking himself back up onto the track.
Without his weight on me, I can swing myself back up easily and hurl myself at him with my fists up. He smashes against the rock wall, pinned by my weight, and I grab his shoulder with one hand, punching him hard with the other.
A terrible rage rises in me, something dark and ugly like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. My vision goes hazy and red, and I start punching the fuck out of Jackson with both hands.
I’ve never known true evil. In my career, I’ve killed. I’ve maimed and fought enemies. But I’ve never known anyone as bad as this psychopath!
Jackson moans, and I’m pretty sure I hear a small giggle.
“Didn’t…think you had it in you,” he gasps.
A great roar rips out of my chest as I punch him again and again. His blood slicks across my fist, and I barely notice the pain in my arms as I beat the living fuck out of Jackson. I don’t come back to myself until I feel a touch on my shoulder.
I swing around, screaming as I launch myself at my enemy. Strong arms grab me, and for a moment, I struggle against the grip.
“Shawn!” Rex yells. “It’s us!”
“Huh?” I mutter, panting desperately as I try to get my breath back. “What took you guys so long?”
