Page 116 of Outcast’s Vow

We finally reach the top of the ski slopes. We’re on the biggest and toughest mountain, staring down at the biggest and toughest ski route in the country. Beside me, Brandon whistles at the view.

“This is pretty crazy. Even for me.”

“You don’t ski this one often?” I ask.

“Barely anyone does, dude. So, you ready?”

There is no one else up here. I have him alone.

I drop the dumb tourist act. I turn to stare at him.

“Brandon, the Castaways send their regards.”

It takes a second for my words to sink in, but then the meathead understands.

He understands too well.

His mouth hangs open. His eyes widen in fear and a sudden realization that he is in big, big trouble.

And, despite his limited intelligence, he acts quickly. Faster than I’m expecting. He drops down and starts his descent.

Down the biggest and toughest slope in Switzerland.

“Fuck,” I curse out loud.

I start chasing in pursuit.

Brandon is a professional skier. He’s sunk hours and days into training on the slopes. He’s a natural.

I trail behind the snowstorm unleashed by Brandon’s skis, gradually gaining on him. We’re operating at incredible speeds. He’s desperate, and I’m ice cold.

Brandon nearly clips a tree. I shoot away from a boulder. One false move and we’re gone.

Brandon is fast. He’s getting away from me.

But I pull my head down. I focus in. I bring forward all my training.

And I start to gain ground again.

Closing in on him, I pull out a cord from my belt and spin it over my head, wrapping it around the instructor’s feet, forcing Brandon to topple off his skis headfirst. I drag him through the snow all the way to the bottom of the slope. The white mist splutters behind me.

Brandon is crying when I finally come to a stop.

“What... the... hell...”

Tears streak down his face. I amble up slowly to the man as he lies there pathetically, legs still tied. I rest my boot on his hip, digging into his pain. Brandon yelps, but I silence him with my words.

“You’ve ruined the life of a girl, Brandon,” I tell him quietly, calmly, and with menace. “Actions have consequences.”

“It was a misunderstanding.”

“Don’t lie to me,” I snap back.

My boot sinks in deeper. There’s another yelp.

“You really thought you could jump on a plane and hide out here? You really thought an international, ancient society like the Castaways wouldn’t be vengeful?”

“The girl deserved it!”