“Guys… what the hell am I supposed to do now?” I asked, voice coming out in a choked whisper.
Cherry’s voice shook as she answered. “There’s only one thing you can do,” she said. “Run.”
22
Violet
I ran.
I didn't even think about where I was going. Didn't plan a route or consider my options. Just ran, my legs carrying me away from the List, away from the crowd, away from my own name written in elegant script on that damned parchment.
My lungs burned. My vision blurred. The campus rushed past in a smear of autumn colors and gray stone buildings.
“Violet! Wait!”
Jeremiah’s voice came from somewhere behind me. I didn't stop.
“Vee, please! Stop for a second!”
Footsteps pounded behind me. My friends, running after me. But I couldn't stop. If I did, it would all become real. I'd have to face what had just happened.
My name is on the List.
Twenty-four hours to run and hide.
Twenty-four hours to be hunted.
A hand caught my arm, pulling me to a stumbling halt. I whirled around, chest heaving, and found myself surrounded byCherry, Ginny, Jeremiah, and Dylan. Their faces were flushed from running, eyes wide with worry.
“I can’t stop,” I gasped. “I need to—I have to—”
“Breathe,” Cherry said firmly, both hands on my shoulders now. “Just breathe for a second, okay?”
“There's no time. I need to get out of here, I need to—”
“Violet.” Jeremiah's voice cut through my panic. “Listen to us. Please.”
I forced myself to take a shaky breath, then another. The world slowly came back into focus. We were near the library, partially hidden by a cluster of oak trees. Students rushed past on the main path, but no one was paying attention to us.
“Okay,” I managed to choke out. “I'm listening.”
Cherry exchanged glances with the others, then looked back at me. “When I said you had to run, I didn’t mean for you to do it alone,” she said. “If you're running, so are we.”
I blinked. "What?”
“You heard her,” Jeremiah said, stepping closer. “We're with you. Every step of the way.”
“That's insane,” I said, shaking my head. “You can't—this isn't your problem. I don’t want any of you getting hurt!”
“One of our biggest mistakes last year was letting your sister be alone during the hunt,” Cherry interrupted, her voice tight with emotion. “We thought we were helping by hiding her in that motel. But we left her vulnerable. Isolated.” Her eyes glistened. “Never again. Not now that we know how bad it can get.”
I looked between them, seeing the determination in their faces. The guilt. The fierce protectiveness.
“We can serve as distractions,” Ginny said. “If a hunter gets close, we split up. Make a big scene. Draw them away from you and give you time to get distance.”
“Create confusion,” Dylan added. “It’ll make it harder for them to track you.”
“You guys...” My voice cracked. “This is dangerous. The Dionysus Club doesn't mess around. If they catch you helping me…”
