Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Breath sawed in and out of my mouth. Already winded. Great. I threw a glance over my shoulder. No one gave chase at least. Hogg had stopped at the fence, Patch beside him. Both tracked me with their gazes, but only the substitute radiated envy. The henchman silently promised revenge.
I trudged up a taller hill without slowing my pace. My flimsy dress fluttered in the wind, the hem flapping against my calves. Those three-eyed birds flew overhead, watching my progress. I shuddered. Were they scavengers hoping to feast on my remains?
Finally, I reached the hill’s peak. Except, more hills stretched in the distance, and I moaned. Well, no matter. Turn around? Never. On I slogged, putting the Wests and Hogg in my rear view.
Remaining cognizant of Elaine’s directions, I counted the seconds in my head, keeping time. If my calculations were correct, I mostly ran but sometimes speed walked ten minute miles. Meaning, I should reach the river in an hour. My biggest obstacle now? Not collapsing from exhaustion. Already I huffed, puffed and poured with sweat.
At least I had a pretty distraction. As the sun lowered on the horizon, it reminded me of Jasher’s eyes. Oh. Ugh. What a silly thought. Totally inconsequential.
Another half-hour passed, checking off three more miles. Please, please, please. Only two more miles to go. Determination was a whip at my back, driving me onward, faster and faster. I didn’t slow even when oxygen scraped my lungs raw. Didn’t pause to take stock as the temperature unexpectedly chilled, my internal thermostat plummeting from over-warm to unbearably cold.
A combination of shudders and shivers disrupted my steps as darkness swept over the land at a swifter clip than expected. Between heartbeats, I plunged from one level of gloom to the next. If I failed to reach the river in time…
I counted another mile before the next plunge. Then a half mile. Whatever energy I’d gained from the serpens-rosa waned completely. Lack of food and water didn’t help. I wasn’t sure how much farther I could go or when I’d lose all hint of light.
Wait! A familiar noise captured my attention, and I whimpered with relief. Rushing water. I quickened my steps, scaled a final hill, and stopped at long last, drinking in the glorious sight below me. A smile broke free. I’d done it! I’d reached the river!
Dangerous journey? Ha!
Churning water beat at glistening rocks of every color. So thirsty. Trees peppered the other side of the shore, their limbs heavy with colorful fruits and berries, each unrecognizable to me. But so what. My empty stomach twisted. So hungry.
If I drank without boiling the water first, I might sicken. If I attempted to swim across the river to eat, I could be swept away. But maybe not. I was a strong swimmer. Very strong.
But was I strong enough right now?
Let’s find out. I speed-walked the remaining distance, breaching the shore just as the last rays of light vanished. In an instant, total darkness cloaked the terrain. A darkness so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.
My heart raced. Fighting for calm, I went still. Any second, my eyes would adjust, and I’d be able to see. Yep. Surely by the count of three. One. Two. Two and a half.
Nope. No adjusting took place. With ragged inhalations, I spun left, right. Zero visibility. Not a flicker of light in any direction. A near hysterical laugh bubbled up.
This is fine. Absolutely fine. I just needed to think, to weigh my options. Which were…what? What!? Stay here, out in the open where anyone or thing could stumble upon me, or try to swim to the other side with who knew what kind of creatures lurking below the surface?
Both were abysmal ideas, but one was worse than the other. I knew it. I did. But my frantic thoughts supplied a good reason for doing it anyway. Yes, I might be killed by repeated collisions with those rocks, but the more distance I put between West and me, the better.
I wrapped my arms around my middle. No, I should opt for the semi-smart thing and stay here, awaiting sunrise. Hogg hadn’t given chase. Of course, there’d been no need. He’d comprehended what I hadn’t: the darkness well and truly trapped me.
If I wasn’t careful, what I didn’t know was going to get me killed.
Most likely, Hogg planned to set out bright and early in the morning. If not him, those bounty hunters. They would drag me back, and Henry would do something dastardly to hurt or scare me until I caved to his demands. I’d have to remain awake and ready to go at the first hint of light.
A ferocious roar erupted from the darkness, a sound half starvation, half rage and pure menace. Fear punched me. Did a monstra approach? But there was no rain. So what else was out here?