Oh crap. State Trooper… whats-his-name?
Griffin?
Suddenly, everything clicks.
He’s the second hunter.
“It’s over, officer.” The thick vegetation swallows my voice.
Even yelling, I sound small. “Carmine gave himself up. He’s talking up a storm.”
The psycho lets out a low, cold laugh. “Good try. I left him and the sheriff dead. You’re the only loose end.”
“No, you are.” Yanking the pistol from my waistband, I fire, then sprint a few steps before fake-stumbling behind a thick oak.
“You’ll have to do better than that. Run.” He’s still laughing, but not for long.
Bang-ang-ang. A bullet echoes off the mountains and slams into the dirt near my foot. The next one rips across my bicep.
Shit. Kade did not die for nothing. This bastard is going down.Clutching my arm, I plunge deeper into the forest.
Cursing every step, branches snap as he crashes after me. Unlike Mumbles, Griffin doesn’t savor the hunt—he just wants me dead.
I drop behind a fallen trunk when the sound of his pursuit fades. On my knees, I rip open the sack. Wound pinched shut, I bite off the cap and seal the hole.
When I rise to my feet, I swat at an insect in my ear.
Wait. That’s no bee.
It’s the drone.
One-handed, I fumble open the control app. A single infrared figure glows on the screen—me.
As I zoom out, Griffin’s heat signature appears to the south. Two more shapes close in—probably hikers.
A gunshot cracks through the forest.
Seconds later, a sharp, terrified scream sends chills down my spine.
The madman pursuing me bellows, “Give yourself up or I kill her.”
Eyes locked on the screen, I move closer. “How’re you gonna explain this, Griffin?”
He chuckles. “Easy. You shot them.”
“Not this time. Forensics, pal. You’re screwed.” Voice steady, I drop to my belly and crawl toward their signals.
Tablet down. The drone overhead. Lying in a small gully, I assess the situation.
Griffin’s got a pale, trembling teenager locked to his chest. Her friend lies nearby, groaning—but still alive.
He’s too far away for a clean pistol shot.
Surrendering won’t save me. Or them.
It’ll just get us all killed.
Chapter 35
