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The announcer’s voice explodes from the speakers. “WELL, WELL, WELL.”
I start laughing. “No fucking way.”
“Looks like the Harvest has spoken!”
The crowd cheers.
Mariah is jumping beside me. “YOU GOT IT!”
“What did I get?”
“THE BRIDE!”
“Ladies and gentlemen…” The employee takes the ribbon from my hand and ties it carefully around my wrist. The satin is cool against my skin. “...we have our Harvest Bride.”
The cheering gets louder and I throw both hands into the air because fuck it. This is hilarious.
Mariah is screaming, while Ali films it all. Some stranger bows to me while another woman yells, “GET IT, BRIDE!”
I blow her a kiss.
The announcer keeps talking, explaining some special rules I can barely hear over everyone congratulating me. Something about making it through the maze. A prize and the Reapers.
I look down at the red satin wrapped around my wrist.
Mariah hip bumps me. “Sage McBride the Harvest Bride.”
Of fucking course.
I laugh again. Then I glance toward the corn.
Three men stand beyond the fence. Far enough from the lights that I can’t make out their faces. One is tall. One is leaning casually against the post and the third is perfectly still. None of them are cheering or laughing.
I lift my red ribbon and wiggle it at them.
The one leaning against the post straightens. The tall one turns his head toward the other two and the man in the center? He looks directly at me…then turns around and disappears into the corn.
I grin. “That’s not ominous at all.”
Mariah hooks her arm through mine. “Maybe he’s your husband.”
“Then he’d better run fast.”
I pull my mask down over my face because the gates to the maze are opening and I have no intention of making this easy.
2
The Hunt
Sage
The first scream comes from somewhere to my left and I immediately start laughing. “Fuck this.”
Mariah grabs my hand. “You wanted to do this!”
“I know!”
Another scream. Only this time, it’s closer.
