“No.”
Same thing I thought.
The collar bites into my neck with every step, a reminder they’re watching which only fuels my anger.
Those bastards. Cameras. Tracking devices. Six against two.
“Where are we?” I ask through clenched teeth, trying to stop myself from stumbling.
“These are redwood trees. That means we’re in Northern California.”
Did they fly us here?
My stomach flips over. Whoever did this is powerful. Demented for sure, but they have resources.
“Why here?”
“It’s very remote. History of illegal activity that people ignore,” he mutters.
Apparently hunting humans.
That’s horrific enough, but this forest feels different. Darker. Quieter. Bigger. An animal that’s part of the hunt too.
“There are no grizzlies here,” Ryker tells me as he humorlessly, tugging me up a steep incline at shocking speed.
“Gee, one less thing to worry about,” I pant.
“Therearemountain lions.”
“Not helping right now.”
He squeezes my fingers, “They don’t like to hunt people. Especially in pairs. Deer are much easier prey.”
“Oh good. So we only have to worry about humans armed to the teeth.”
In my desperate attempt to keep up, to keep my soles down, and not pass out from exertion, I almost miss that Ryker is zigzagging us right, then left. Never a straight line for more than a few seconds.
Ferns and plants claw my legs, twigs catch my arms. My muscles burn, my pulse pounds in my temples.
God bless Texas, his legs arelong.
The man’s like a mountain goat. Going uphill fast enough that I’m panting like a dog that’s been playing fetch. Not the way to hide from someone trying to catch us. They’ll hear me a mile away.
“I’ll be more mindful,” Ryker rumbles, when he realizes how hard I’m struggling, slowing his steps.
“You’re trying to save our lives. Screw mindful.”
“Fair point.”
We continue on. Climbing higher.
Oh! My foot catches in a hole. “Ouch!”
The only thing that keeps me from face planting is Ryker’s reflexes. He grabs me.
“You hurt?”
He steadies me with one hand, crouching down to look at my ankle. Gently moving it from side to side.
