Noah looks shell shocked as Goldie keeps reassuring him, so I walk to the trunk of the car, barking, “Noah. Open it.”
He pops it open for me just as the song stops, and I can hear him let out a whoosh of a breath. Jesus Christ, I can’t even imagine what he feels, but ...
“We need to keep our eyes on the prize ... right?” I say over my shoulder to him, reminding him of his own words.
Noah nods to me before turning his attention back to Goldie, kissing her gently.
I hate how much my heart is racing and how clammy I already feel, because the panic keeps growing, and I’m worried I won’t be able to stop it.
I’m about to say something to my sister when I freeze again, because this time, a voice comes over the loudspeakers. It’s masked by one of those voice changers that makes it sound like a child.
“Hi, sissy.” With each word, the voice gradually grows deeper until it’s ... familiar. “Do you recognize my voice?”
Oh my god.Goldie gasps and my heart stops.
Remus.
He really is her brother. And he’s here.
“Welcome to Camp Murder, where all your nightmares come true and serial adventure awaits.”
Jesus. He’s going to torture us with our worst fears. First, Noah with his mom, and now Goldie. I blink quickly, too quickly because I can feel the flutter in my chest, the tightness growing.
My biggest fear is losing Chase. And something tells me he knows that.
My eyes are fixed to the duffel in the trunk, tears beginning to prick as I try and breathe. But I can’t. I can’t ... Oh god.
I can’t lose him. Not like this. We just got started ...Please, not like this.
Black spots begin to accompany the burgeoning tears, and although I can hear Goldie and Noah speaking, it’s like I’m trapped underwater and I can’t get to the surface.
My fears are dragging me down inch by inch. Oh god. I won’t be able to help him. He’ll die because of me.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as my eyes close. I reach for any part of the car to keep me steady. I’m desperate to escape from what’s happening, but that fucking voice on the loudspeaker won’t let me.
“It’s time to get to know each other, campers. Even though I already know so much about you. Let’s play a game.”
Stuttered breaths begin to leave me as I hear my name, but I shake my head.No ... no. I need to focus on something ... anything. I need ...Chase.
He comes into my mind so clearly. So vividly that it makes me gasp. His green eyes are locked on me as he smirks. Just the way he did when I saw him back at the theater for the first time. His head tilts as he crosses his arms.
“Don’t get meek on me now ... Where’s that bite I like so much?”
It’s as if I’ve been yanked from under, pulled above water. My eyes spring open, a smile on my face as I take another deep breath. I uncurl my fingers from the grip I had on the car, settling back into my body, my panic subsiding.
Goddammit. He’s always fucking saving me. Such a dick.
“Fuck this. No more,” I bark, shedding off the last of my panic and doubt, saying the rest over my shoulder. “Can we please kill some psycho fucks? Because I want my boyfriend back.”
“Yes,” Goldie answers, raising her voice to the sky. “And fuck you, Remus. I only have a badass sister.”
We nod at each other, the strength inside me doubling by the second before I’m opening the duffel bag, everything but the kitchen sink staring back at me. I brought it all. Even Chase’s favorite knife.
And that’s my first choice.
But I also double back and yank the crossbow free just as that creepy-ass voice says, “We’re gonna have so much fun. Cross my heart and hope you die.”
“You die, motherfucker ... not us,” I whisper, facing my sister and Noah, who are staring back at me as I hold up each of the weapons in my hand.
