Page 264 of Primal

“Probably doubled back to the restroom,” Lana mutters. “If anyone’s pausing mid-horror show to fix their hair, it’s her.”

A dry laugh escapes me. “Sounds about right.”

Lana pulls out a flashlight. The beam wavers across the trees.

“We’ll swing by the restrooms,” Lana mutters. “If she’s not there …”

I swallow. “Then we head for base.”

We press forward.

“Kristy?” My voice comes out thin. A child’s voice. The kind dark rooms swallow. Bad dreams too.

A glimmer. Off to the right. Neon green.

“There.” I point.

Lana angles the flashlight. More glow sticks pop into view.

“Kristy and I passed these earlier. They should lead us to the trailer.”

“Let’s go.” Lana steps forward—

And bumps into a figure. Tall. Imposing.

“Jesus fuck—”

Lana jerks back, her elbow slamming into my ribs. The beam catches Ghostface—then the flashlight hits the ground.

“That’s him,” I choke out.

Ghostface closes the gap.

“Run!” Lana shoves me sideways.

I hit the dirt before I feel it.

She spins to face him, arms raised—empty-handed.

Ghostface swings. Lana grabs for his wrist, fingers closing around leather. The knife trembles between them.

Is she … winning?

I scramble to my knees. She’s actually—

He twists—ramming Lana into a tree.

No. He’s choking her.

One moment I’m scrabbling to my feet. The next, I’m airborne—leaping onto his back. My hands clamp around his shoulders. Legs locking tight.

“Get the fuck off her!” I sink my teeth into his neck.

He bucks.

I cling on, every pound of me hell-bent on dragging him down.

Finally, Lana collapses free.