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“Then they will throw you out of the woods, and you will be eliminated.”
He addresses everyone, but his gaze remains on me as he finishes, “Let’s see how fast and smart you are or if they catch you.”
A guy near me exclaims that he can’t wait for a wolf to catch him. Laughter rings out.
I take a step back. This is ridiculous, this situation is ridiculous. I should be working on my classes. I should be warm under my comforter. I don’t belong here. Yet, as I step back, my body doesn’t seem to want to obey me. I meet Sarah’s eyes, and she smiles triumphantly as she sees me giving up.
Be quick and smart.
I can do it.
As TJ continues to answer the few intrusive questions, Tucker is still focused on me and it makes me uncomfortable. Because I know full well that if I go into that forest, he’s going to be the one to come after me. But I’m pretty sure he’s going to let me win because deep down he wants me to be part of his group.
The real question is: do I want to win? I don’t even know what the third phase will be. The only thing I do know is that as his steps get closer, I freeze.
Sarah says that Dan is the flame that turns into an inferno. But at this moment, I feel like Tucker is the more dangerous of the two. The more destructive.
He’s only a few steps away from me now. His imposing stature allows him to pass between the students.
“You think you’ll be fast, redhead?”
I am startled when a whistle sounds. I wake up from my lethargy. The other students rush toward the forest. Laughter and cries of excitement ring out as they reach the trees. My breathing quickens. I take a deep breath and glance behind me. I can see from here the cars parked a hundred yards away.
But I do nothing. Call me a stupid girl, I deserve it because I don’t back down. I straighten my chin and walk straight ahead. It’s just a stupid game. A stupid mask. No need to make a big deal about it.
Tucker stops as I walk by him, ignoring him. I feel his gaze on the back of my neck. I ignore it and continue towards the damn trees. I glance around and notice that the students who entered the forest have all disappeared from my view.
After about ten yards, as I walk away from the fire and the waiting students, Tucker’s voice snaps at my back, “Go!”
We listen. As a joke, a boy screams bloody murder. His friends laugh. Finally, footsteps are heard. In turn, other students—the wolves—join the party. Great, a little Hunger Games atmosphere! If someone had told me that I would be racing through a forest in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t have believed it. I don’t waste a second before I start running, going deeper into the darkness.
A minute later, I hear scream close by. I jump and turn right. I don’t see anyone. How many miles is this stupid forest? How can I find one of the four ribbons in the middle of this godforsaken hole?
I hold back my own scream when a spider web gets caught in my hair. I vigorously rub my red locks as my heart tightens. Bloody spider!
I walk forward while regaining my composure. I mustn’t think about the fact that I’m alone in the middle of the woods, or I’ll really freak out. I’m not usually a wimp, but right now, I don’t know what’s come over me. My mom would be screaming at me to get back to civilization and stop pretending to be someone I’m not.
Hanging out at eleven o’clock in the middle of gloomy trees is really not my thing.
I let out a curse as I nearly twist my ankle. My shoes are going to be ruined. Great, really great.
I hear male laughter on my right. I rush behind a tree and press myself against it. A guy I don’t know walks right past me. From his quiet posture, I could swear he’s one of the wolves. This is confirmed when I see his mask. He doesn’t notice me. Once he passes me, I start to move away from the trunk, but an object nestled in the bush at my feet catches my attention.
A silly grin appears on my face as I crouch down. I push aside the leaves, and my fingers grasp one of the four ribbons.
I don’t waste a second and put it in the back pocket of my shorts. A twig snags on the lace of my camisole, and I let out another cuss word. I have to get out of here. I’ve won. I won, you guys!
I can’t wait to get in front of Tucker, to show him that I didn’t need him to let me win to win.
The jubilation that invades me catches me off guard. I feel like I’m getting caught up in the game despite everything. I hear a cracking sound to my right. The guy who passed in front of me earlier is running east.
I discreetly hide behind a tree but tilt my head to observe him. A girl is leaning towards a bush and doesn’t see him. The guy approaches her slowly. It’s too late, he’s found her before she could find a ribbon. So it’s game over for her. I’m about to run away on my own, but I haven’t taken a step when a palm presses on my mouth, and I’m pulled back.
My back is pressed against a male torso. I elbow my opponent in the ribs and try to shake my head to get out of the way. A light rumble answers me. A hand settles firmly on the back of my neck and grabs my hair before turning me around. I find myself stuck, my back against the trunk of the tree. My breathing stops, and my eyes meet a look I know well.
Tucker is pressed against me. One hand is still placed against my mouth. He lifts the other to tap his index finger on his lips, ordering me to remain silent. I slap his chest, furious.
“What’s wrong with you?” I try to spit behind his palm.
