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Chapter 19

Georgia pumped herarms and legs as she raced along beside Ash. She didn’t dare look over her shoulder. Those mutant beasts were fast and would be on them in less than a minute.

“Keep moving,” Ash said. “We’re almost there.”

She put everything she had into getting to the tree line. Once they were in there, it would be easier to hide, maybe even climb up a tree.

They reached the trees and raced in.

“Watch out for any of those damned bogs,” Ash said. “We don’t want to get caught out again.”

Georgia huffed out a laugh. “So it’s a choice of being ripped apart by mutant beasts or drowned in a stinking bog. Great options. I’ll take option C.”

“There is no option C. And you’re not going to die,” he growled out.

The ground underfoot was soft but nothing like the hellhole bog she’d fallen into.

“Wait,” Ash said as he slowed and turned to look back at the beasts.

“What are you doing? We need to keep moving.”

“The animals didn’t follow us in.”

Georgia slowed, turning as she gulped in breaths of much needed air. “Are you sure?”

“I don’t see them. Wait! There’s movement at the edge of the trees.”

“Are the animals waiting for orders to attack? I don’t see any Siblet with them.” Her gaze shifted as she took in the damp surroundings. “Please don’t tell me there’s something worse than the beasts hiding in here. If they’re afraid of what’s lurking in these trees, then we’re done for.”

“Get behind me. Just in case.”

“Why? I fight as hard as you.”

He sighed. “Then keep a lookout for anything approaching. Shout if you see something.”

Georgia took a couple of minutes to check around for any threats. “I don’t see anything we should be worried about. And my banty isn’t acting defensively.”

Ash glanced at the critter. “He’s always chilled when he’s with you.”

Georgia nodded, continuing to sweep her gaze around. It was just bare earth, half-dead trees, and sticky mud. She couldn’t even see any wildlife. But there was something in here those mutant beasts didn’t like. And it must be something bad if they weren’t willing to pursue them through these trees.

She glanced at Ash. With a wounded warrior by her side and the fact she was running on empty, she had to hope there was nothing worse coming for them. She wasn’t sure she was up to another fight.

“Let’s keep moving,” Ash said. “Our ship won’t be far away. Once they’re here, we can take out the Siblet and their beasts and then recover the white tails. I’ll send another message to let them know the change of plans.”

She nodded, her eyes narrowed. “I don’t like this.”

“We don’t have to like it. We just have to put up with it for another few minutes. We’ll be out of here soon.”

A shudder ran down Georgia’s spine as she turned away from the mutant beasts. She had a bad feeling about this place.

“I can’t get a connection,” Ash said. “It should be easy now we’re aboveground.”

“Could the Siblet be jamming outgoing comms? They know we didn’t come here alone.”

“Maybe it’s that. I’ve got a message prepped. I’ll keep trying to get it through.”

“How are you feeling?” Georgia said. “Are the sedatives still causing you problems?”