Run (9 page)

“Like I said before, ‘if one of the hunters wants you, they’ll find you’. This game is rigged. I couldn’t say more while we were at the mansion because the rooms were probably equipped with hidden cameras and microphones. When they scan our chips to give us the credits we’re owed for volunteering, they get our serial numbers and program them into their tracking devices. When a hunter is interested in a specific woman, he can pay extra to get her specific serial number.”

“How do you know all this? None of the other women seem to have figured this out, myself included.”

“I told you, my sister has done this twice. The first man who had tagged her bragged about it to her. He apparently boasted about it to a lot of people but the funny thing is, not long afterwards, he mysteriously lost his fortune. It was strange but my sister seemed to think it was because of the nondisclosure form the patrons have to sign. They’re not supposed to divulge The Run’s secrets because it gives the protesters ammunition in their bid to sway public support against the game. Personally, I think the protests are pointless but some of the protesters believe if they’re persistent, the government will intervene.”

Aya snorted. “The Elite own every single person in the government, right down to the president. They make it impossible for people like us to vote. But, I digress.” There was no point in bemoaning the unfairness of her situation when Macy had it just as bad. “So, that goon said I was labeled. You mentioned it earlier but you never went into detail about what it actually meant.”

Macy lowered her head, breaking eye contact.

The blood chilled in Aya’s veins. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I’m not sure if it will make much difference in your case because as I’ve pointed out, the attractive ones don’t tend to make it through the weekend without being tagged.”

“Oookay. So what?”

“It’s just that when you’re labeled it means you’re somewhat of a troublemaker. Or at least that’s my understanding of it. These rich assholes seem to like the more spirited ones. My sister said it makes the sport of it more interesting.”

“I still feel there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“Well, uh…”

Aya gripped Macy’s hand. “Just tell me.”

“As I said before, each patron can pay for the coordinates of the ones they’re most interested in. But for the girls who get labeled…your number and coordinates are handed out to every single patron participating. There’s a target on your back and I’m afraid you probably won’t outlast the day, let alone the entire weekend.”

Aya was suddenly lightheaded. Her prospect for getting through this weekend without being captured had gone from bad to worse.

Giving up wasn’t an option. She didn’t care if the entire world could track her down right now, Aya refused to make it easy for anyone. The bastards would have to come get her and when they did, she’d put up a hell of a fight. The muscles in her legs screamed from exertion and her back ached like a son of a bitch, still smarting after that fall, but she had to keep moving.

She considered getting rid of the canvas bag slung across her torso but decided against it because of the much needed supplies. They had to have been on the go for at least a few hours navigating their way through fields with waist high grass, rocky terrain, and finally, a heavily wooded forest.

“Aya…please,” Macy panted by her side, “could we please rest for a moment?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to say absolutely not, but one glance at Macy changed her mind. Her companion was bright red. Her hair was drenched with sweat and her breathing was ragged. The other girl could have gone off on her own and left Aya after that guard had shoved her to the ground. Instead, she’d been the only one to stick around and see that Aya was okay. Besides, it was actually comforting to have an ally close by.

“Sure. I see a group of rocks a few feet ahead. We can sit there and get something to drink.”

The other girl nodded. “I’m sorry for slowing you down.”

“Don’t apologize. I just figured it would be harder for them to catch us if we were constantly on the move.”

“That makes sense. But you’ll end up passing out if you push yourself too hard.” Macy dug through her bag, pulled out her blanket and placed it over one of the larger boulders. “It’s not much but this should make it more bearable.” She patted the spot for Aya to join her.

Aya gratefully accepted the offer. Once she perched herself on a spot that wasn’t too uncomfortable, she looked through her own supplies to produce a bottle of water. It was lukewarm but her throat was so dry she gulped down every precious drop. When she was finished, she sighed regretfully at the empty container. “I shouldn’t have drunk all that. I have to make the rest of these supplies last for as long as possible.”

Macy shrugged. “Probably but maybe we’ll find some supplies later on. It’s not unlikely that one of the other girls hasn’t been tagged by now. She might leave her things on the ground.”

Aya shuddered at the thought of benefitting from someone else’s misfortune but when the time came, she’d do what had to be done. “You really think one of the girls has already been tagged.”

“Most definitely. Don’t you remember we passed a few of them and they all had a head start on us? I guess their strategy is to hide.”

“But it’s of no use, is it?”

Macy shook her head before sipping her own water.

An awkward silence fell between them. Aya wasn’t sure what to say because she didn’t know what was in store for her. It was quite possible one of the hunters would tag her and make the rest of her days miserable and she’d never see her uncle again. Or worse, Dare could find her and do whatever sick thing he had in store for her. Aya refused to dwell on that kiss which had clearly been an aberration on her part. He’d caught her off guard, which was the only reason why she’d responded to him. It didn’t matter how attractive he was. Dare O’Shaughnessy was the devil and he was looking for his due. Her. She couldn’t willingly let that happen.

She pulled her knees against her chest wishing she was anywhere but here. It didn’t help matters not knowing how her uncle was holding up in prison. Was he eating enough, was he being given his heart medication, were the guards leaving him alone? The more she thought about him, the harder it was to hold back the tears. Despite the uncertainty of her own future and that of Uncle Arthur’s, a pair of jade green eyes continued to infiltrate her mind. She wanted to scream. “Get the fuck out of my head!”

Macy jumped! “What?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was thinking out loud. I have a lot on my mind.”

“Oh.” The girl nodded seeming to accept Aya’s explanation before returning to her own silent musings.

Aya stole a glance in her companion’s direction. Here she was thinking of herself while this woman-child by her side had it just as bad. It was probably tough going through this sham of a game knowing what to expect and not being able to do a damn thing about it. That had to be psychological torture on another level. Not to mention, Macy, who probably wondered what had become of her sister, was also worried about how her family was holding up. Her heart went out to Macy. She reached across the boulder and touched the other girl’s hand briefly. “Thank you,” Aya said softly.

“For what?” Macy kept her gaze averted.

“For making this horrifying experience not as bad as it could be. I mean it is pretty fucking terrible, but I think it would have been ten times worse if you weren’t here with me.”

Macy didn’t say anything at first. She took another sip of her drink before turning to face Aya. Her eyes shined with the suspicious sheen of tears. “Aya…I’m scared.”

“Oh, honey.” Aya scooted closer and wrapped her arm around Macy’s thin shoulders. “Things look bleak right now but I’m sure they’ll work out. Maybe we’ll get tagged by the same person and then we can look out for each other. That could happen, right?”

Macy sniffed. “I guess.”

“And if we’re separated, like you said before, there’s a good chance our captors won’t keep us for long. Maybe they’ll be done in a week.”

“You really think so?”

“Well, I don’t think things could be much worse.”

The younger girl swiped a tear away. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here, too. I—” She broke off with a gasp as her body stiffened.

“Macy? What’s the matter?”

The girl’s eyes rounded in what looked like shock and that’s when Aya noticed a black dart sticking out the back of Macy’s neck.

“Shit!” Aya glanced around them but saw no one. However, it was obvious someone had to be near. Hopping off the rock, she grabbed Macy, but the girl fell to her knees.

“Just go.” Her words were slurred and she swayed from side to side.

“No! I won’t leave you.” Using strength she didn’t realize she had, Aya yanked Macy to her feet.

Aya pulled Macy along with her as fast as she could but her companion was dead weight. Weakened because she hadn’t had anything substantial to eat within the last twenty-four hours, Aya dug deep into her reserves to find strength. She lifted Macy off the ground and was thankful the other girl wasn’t heavy. Moving as swiftly as her legs and the weight she bore allowed her, Aya dragged Macy. She didn’t know where she was going. All she did know for certain was she couldn’t stop.

Dried leaves crunched beneath her feet as she tore across the terrain. Her lungs were tight as she panted for breath but she clung to her friend as tightly as she could. The sounds of another pair of feet pounding against the earth alerted her to the closeness of her pursuer. Unable to help herself, Aya briefly glanced over her shoulder. That small mistake cost her. She tripped over a large rock, making her lose her footing. Aya fell forward, dropping Macy in the process and landing on her knees.

She immediately scrambled back onto her feet and grabbed Macy by the arm, determined to drag her if she had to, but a cool, clammy hand clasped her shoulder. She let out a yelp. On pure instinct, she rammed her elbow backward and connected with something solid.

“Ummp!” Her attacker stepped back giving her the chance to regroup.

Aya realized she couldn’t take Macy with her and make a run for it at the same time, not with this hunter a couple feet away. Her only option was to render him helpless. She’d never been in a physical fight before but she’d be damned if she made this capture easy for this son of a bitch.

She turned to face her assailant, it was the weasel. He’d been the one who had pinched her nipples earlier, with the pencil-thin mustache and the rat face. Aya kicked him between the legs as hard as she could, connecting with the soft tissue of his balls.

He crumpled to his knees. “You fucking bitch. You will pay for that!”

Aya desperately searched the ground for a weapon. Her gaze landed on the rock she’d tripped over. She rushed over to where it rested and picked it up. In the time that she’d wasted, “Rat-face” had unfortunately recovered enough to return to his feet. He charged toward her, his beady eyes blazing fire.

She launched the rock at him but to her dismay he easily side stepped it. Aya turned to get away, but he was fast, grabbing her by the arm. He brought the butt of the rifle he’d been carrying down on her head. Hard.

Dazed, Aya swayed before collapsing. She was light-headed and felt like throwing up and passing out at the same time. But she knew if she lost consciousness, there was no telling what this monster would do to her.

He stood over her with a sneer. “Like I said before, I’m going to enjoy breaking you. First lesson, don’t even fucking think you can ever pull that shit with me again.” As if to emphasize his words, he kicked her in the ribs.

“Oww!” Aya howled in pain. She wasn’t sure if he’d kicked her hard enough to break any bones but she wouldn’t have been surprised if he did. She cradled her side even as she attempted to scoot away from him. Dizziness made Aya woozy, her ribs hurt and the injury she’d sustained from the guard’s assault earlier still ached. She refused, however, to beg this bastard for mercy. It was what he wanted. Aya glared at him. “You’re pathetic,’ she spat at him.

Her words seemed to incense Rat-face. His pale skin turned scarlet as he delivered another kick to her thigh this time. “Say one more thing and I’ll fuck you up, bitch.”

Aya was in so much pain, she wasn’t sure she had the ability to speak. Her only consolation was that at least his attention wasn’t focused on Macy. Aya slid away, using her elbows as leverage, ignoring the intense ache shooting through every nerve of her body. Her feeble attempt at escape seemed to amuse him.

He chuckled. “All that spirit. Yes, we’re definitely going to have fun.” He pulled a bag that he had slung across his back in front of him and dug inside. He produced a small black cylindrical block and pressed the button on the bottom of it. From the center of the block, popped a flaming orange letter. Aya’s vision was blurred so she couldn’t quite make out what it said but she immediately knew what it was.

His brand.

“No!” She tried to scream but the word was more of a weak croak. She scooted away in earnest now.

With a laugh, he gripped her by the ankle and pulled her along the ground. The pebbles and twigs scrapped her skin along the way.

Aya kicked out at him, even though every movement she made was pure agony.

“So small and helpless. Hmm, where should I put this? Maybe, I’ll put my brand on your breast and keep you naked at all times for the world to see who you belong to. Or perhaps, I should place it on your cunt? It doesn’t matter because it’s my choice. Whores don’t get to choose.

“Or how about your face? Maybe that will take you down a notch. Yes, I think I’ll do it right there.” Without warning, Rat-face fell on top of her. The sudden fall of his full weight on Aya, knocked the air out of her lungs.

His eyes gleamed sadistically as he brought the brand close to her face. She pushed against his arm but it didn’t stop his descent. She felt as weak as a baby. The heat emitting from the brand singed her skin without quite touching it. Aya closed her eyes and braced herself as she prepared to feel the burn sear her flesh. She wouldn’t scream, no matter how much it would hurt.

“It would be a shame if you mar such a pretty face just because you allowed a slip of a woman to get the best of you.” That voice spoken from a nearby clearing was unmistakable.

Aya didn’t know if she should cry with relief or groan with anger that the one who had come to her rescue was the one she’d wanted to avoid in the first place. She glanced at Dare who was dressed in a set of camouflage cargo pants, big black boots that looked like they were military issue, and a long-sleeved black top that hugged what looked to be a muscular chest. She’d only ever seen him in business suits and this outdoors look caught her off guard. Once her gaze had landed on him, she couldn’t turn away.