Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
She rolls her eyes. "Those are the hunters. They give the runners a fifteen-minute head start to make it more fun for them, I guess...give us a chance to get away."
Oh, I didn't know that. If I can sprint this thing, maybe I'll have a chance. I haven't run in years, but hey...I can try. I have to try.
I bounce on my feet for a second and try to stretch my legs a bit. My muscles protest, but I ignore the light pain and continue until that man, Sebastian, steps up again.
"Is everyone ready?"
My heart suddenly crowds my throat, and I can't breathe.
He smiles, cruel and cutting. “Set..."
He throws up his hands. "GO!"
As I race toward the tree line with the pack, all I can think about is what the hell did I get myself into?
I risk one glance back to see the jock, Andrew, staring after me.
Fuck.
CHAPTER 5
DREW
There's a tension in the air that I can barely breathe through. My bones vibrate, and my skin, every sense, is on fire. I'm attuned to the footfalls heading into the forest. The sound of the wind in the trees, all of it. An elbow catches my ribs, and I jerk in surprise. Lee stares at me, one eyebrow cocked. "You seem on edge, man. You okay?"
I roll my shoulders back, stretching the fleece of my jacket. "Yes, fine. We've all been on edge waiting for this. I found myself a prize, and I plan to claim her. I can already taste her."
The light is fading fast, and the small crowd near The Mill grows restless. We're all ready for our jet into the woods. Peering through the trees, we can see a few brave souls lingering, choosing not to run. Easy pickings for anyone not looking for a chase.
I can't wait to run down my quarry and hear her scream in fright as she runs and then my name when I finally catch her. Well, maybe, if I don't gag her first… Depends on how much of a fight she puts up.
I shift from foot to foot, staring into the trees. It's easy to know where she's headed. Of all the bunnies running through the forest today, she's likely the only one in it for the actual prize. And the one with the least chance of actually reaching it.
The guys gather up, the few women who enjoy the hunt, too. Sebastian steps in front of us and grins wickedly. "Gentlemen...and ladies…" He dips his head toward Lindsey and Sasha. "Are you ready to find your prize?"
We spend a minute hopping around, stretching, and generally preparing as our adrenaline spikes. I feel like I might vibrate out of my body.
I get a similar feeling for every game, but this is so much more. Every year, it's the same, but I know there's a real prize waiting for me this year. There’s a pit in my gut and an ache in my chest. I’m more ready than I’ve ever been.
Sebastian waves a flare gun around for effect, keeping it aimed at the sky. “On your mark. Get set...”
We all brace, ready to run. He shoots the flare into the air, and everyone takes off like a shot.
Everyone except me. I want to give her a little time to get some distance to make my catching her all the sweeter.
Will she fight? Run? Kick? Punch? Scream?
I’ve seen it all and more, but I’ve never heard her scream, and I can’t wait.
During the few seconds I held her in the library, I knew she’d make the perfect prey.
I stroll toward the tree line. Everyone is already gone. Jackets are discarded at the edge of the forest. Shoes, bags, clothing, and all sorts of accessories were abandoned to be reclaimed later.
I step over a pile of clothing and cut across the tree line. It's darker now, and I close my eyes as I walk slowly to adjust to the lack of light. Once I can see a little clearer, with nothing more than the fading twilight and a few scattered lanterns, I pick up my pace. Not because I need to move fast to get to her, but because I'm losing my grip on my patience. All I want is to catch her, to claim her, and call her mine.
The forest sounds are louder now as crickets and other animals are scared out of the underbrush. More than the natural sounds, there are unnatural ones too. People fucking hard and rough in the fallen leaves. Others scream through the woods as their pursuers give chase.
I smile to myself. There will be a lot of sore, tired people come morning...some who won't even make it that long.
Someone crashes through the trees to my right, but I don't flinch, not when I know it's not her. Even if she's running, she'd do it quietly. Her life is controlled and precise. She might run, but she'd keep to the path, heading in the direction of her goal. All I need to do is follow until my little wallflower gets tired. It won't take long to catch up with her.