Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
The smell of wet soil and forest surround me, reminding me of a grave, and I look ahead, seeing Farrow turn onto Frontress Road. We speed down the river, toward the bridge, and my heart starts hammering. My pulse knocks against my throat, then down my arms, and I flit my gaze between the darkened headlights behind me and the bright taillights in front of me.
Farrow cuts a sharp right onto the bridge fifty yards ahead, and I flip on my blinker and curl my fingers around the wheel. I let off the gas to slow down for the turn as Farrow reaches the middle of the bridge. I swerve to follow, a lump lodges in my throat, and then…
I jerk the wheel to the left, laying on the gas.
My tires screech under me, and I race away, speeding off into the night before Farrow can follow. He’ll have to cross the bridge to have space to turn around, and I’ll bet he’s cursing me out right now.
Coasting away, I shift into fifth and keep my eyes peeled and my brights on. The car follows, gaining on me, and I turn and turn again, trying to make sure Farrow can’t follow like I know he’ll try. Speeding deep into the woods, I crawl down back roads and dark lanes, leading him—or her—the long way to the summer camp. It’ll be quiet, but there will be admins and counselors in the cabins, preparing for the arrival of the next session in two days.
Maybe the Dodge will finally introduce itself, but I’m still not stupid enough to be completely alone when they do.
My phone rings, lighting up with Farrow’s name, but I ignore it. Lucas is unavailable for him to alert, and he’s not going to call my family.
I pause. He might call Dylan or Hunter, though…
But it’s too late to worry about that now. Rain starts hitting my windshield like little bullets, and I flip on my wipers as cool drops land on my arms and thighs.
Barreling over a gravel hill, I start to descend, but orange traffic drums sit below as a barrier, warning of danger. Water rushes over the broken road, and I can’t go any farther.
“Shit,” I breathe out.
I have a moment to make a decision with really only one option. I swerve sharply to the left, racing down a thin path probably only meant for ATVs. I have no idea where it’s taking me. There are all sorts of remote little properties around the lake. I don’t even know how to get home from here. Does this road even lead me back to a cross street? Or does it take me to a dead end?
Never lead it to where you’re alone beats in my head like a drum now. This didn’t work like I thought it would.
I reach over to my phone and try to dial Farrow, but I spot a glow through the streaks of rain in my windshield. I squint as the water streams down my face, and I think I make out a front porch light peeking out of the woods.
Exhaling a little, I race for the house, bouncing over the overgrown lawn, and halt the car in the yard. Standing up, I peer over the windshield. The windows are dark, no sign of life other than the security light… I try to zone in on the front door and a paper sign taped to its surface. I can’t read it from here, but my stomach sinks all the same. It could be a seasonal place. They could be out of town for the week and leaving instructions for deliveries. “Fuck,” I mutter, my chin trembling.
I want whoever is in the Dodge to make themselves known, but I don’t want to be completely alone out here. Dammit.
Sitting back down, I shift into first and start to hit the gas, but the Jeep tilts as air hisses out of a rear tire. I whip my head around, seeing a hooded figure move to the passenger side, the tire on mine already flattening.
“No!” I gasp.
He hauls himself up into my empty seat, and I fly out of the car, scrambling for the front door of the house.
Leaping up all of the steps, I bang on the door again and again. “Hello!”
Thunder cracks across the sky, and I jiggle the door handle, but it’s locked. I can’t focus enough to read the sign clearly, only catching the words “deliveries” and “private property.”
Bright lights suddenly illuminate the front of the house, spilling onto the door. I spin around, seeing the headlights of the Dodge nearly blinding me.
But there’s no movement.
“What do you want?” I shout.
This is what I wanted. A confrontation.
They haven’t hurt me. Maybe they won’t.
“Who are you?” I bellow. “Come on!”
And then, my eyes focus enough to see past the light.