Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 124341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
There was a moment’s pause, and then she heard him give chase.
She dipped behind a tree and swerved around another, finding her coordination, her legs pumping with her newfound strength, muscles burning, but deliciously this time. Miraculously.
She raced through the forest as she’d done so many times before, the moon full and bright above. Before, she’d only had the energy to hide, barely crawling into a log or behind a tree, curling into the fetal position, and waiting to die.
But she was strong now. She could run! And even after she’d taken a small amount of medication just hours before. She laughed with delight, rounding a rock and doubling back. She plastered her back to the large expanse of stone, waiting for a beat, two, until she could hear that he was almost upon her where she “hid,” and then with a cry of triumph, she sprang out.
Her moonlight boy let out a raspy sound of surprise and skidded, flailing his arms to right himself and coming to a jerky stop. His expression was half shock, half rage, solid white teeth bared, one brow raised, and one brow lowered in a way that was almost comical.
Almost.
They stood mere feet apart, his bare, scarred chest rising and falling in tandem with hers. The bolt in his head was gone, but in its place was a shaved patch of hair, the skin there red and raw. Their gazes locked, and Autumn suddenly felt angry too. All this time, he’d been chasing her to terrify her. Her, in a drugged, half-awake state! How dare he? Wasn’t her life hard enough as it was?
Her gaze narrowed, lip curling. The boy cocked his head, a wary light entering his dark eyes as he watched her. She lunged at him and then away. Startled, he stepped back, a surprised bark of laughter coming from his throat. A low growl that she had to admit sounded less fierce than she’d gone for emanated from her chest. Despite the lack of menace in the sound, his laughter fizzled, and then she lunged for real as he stumbled backward, an expression that was purely incredulous on his face before he turned and ran.
She chased him this time, and she swore she heard his laughter floating back to her on the wind. She was still a little groggy, but she also felt fearless, because why not? What on earth did she really have to lose? Her life? Ha! That would be gone soon enough. She leaped over a rock, skidding on a patch of soggy leaves, grabbing hold of a tree trunk, and coming to a sudden though slippery stop as he turned this time, amusement dancing over his features as he lunged at her and then away as she’d done to him. Indignation exploded within her. He wanted to toy with her? Okay then. She bounced once on the balls of her heavy, sock-clad feet before pushing off the tree, turning and running again. He gave chase, and even though she was pushing her body to its limits, sweat dripping down her forehead and stinging her eyes, her lips curved in a satisfied smile before a puff of breath disturbed it.
She tried to orient herself, worked to remember where she’d started, and led him back that way.
Her lungs were burning, muscles screaming. She was infinitely stronger than she’d been just a month ago, but she was still weak by most standards. And certainly much weaker than the boy hot on her heels. There. She spotted it ahead. The formation of the trees she’d woken to, the ones that had been right in front of her as she’d sat up, rubbing her head groggily, feeling for the journal she’d hidden in the back of her shorts. My journal! She started to reach for it, but she could feel it wasn’t there. No! She didn’t have time to worry about that right now though. Her gaze shot to the ground. Is that the spot? I think so. Yes. He’d sped up, and she felt the warmth of his body directly behind her, heard his exhale, the brush of his fingers…
With her final burst of effort, she leaped over the hole she’d dug and covered, crying out as she hit the ground but twisting around and watching as he stepped right into it, his ankle twisting as he pitched forward. She squealed, falling backward, raising her hands defensively as he fell. He let out a monstrous grunt and caught himself with his arms just before his full weight slammed on top of her.
Okay, so maybe it hadn’t been the most well-thought-out plan.
Their faces were mere inches apart, exhales mingling as they breathed harshly together, eyes wide and staring. He looked utterly shocked. Time slowed and seemed to stop. His indigo eyes were a hint lighter in the center and almost black around the outside, and from this close vantage point, she could see tiny gold flecks. Fascinating. He shifted minutely, and she became aware of the size and weight of him. Eyes still held, she reached up and plucked a hair from his head.