Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [41]
“Then let’s go.” With a final shove in the right direction, the three of them broke into a jog, slipping into the edge of the forest.
***
The sun hadn’t yet crested the trees, but the dew was burning off into mist as the morning warmed. Rachel stopped moving and leaned heavily against a tree, breathing hard. Liz slowed her pace, then turned back. “We’ve got to keep moving.”
“I have to stop, Lizzy.” Rachel pushed a sweaty strand of hair back from her forehead and took a deep breath. “I feel like we’ve been running for hours.”
It hadn’t been hours, but they had pushed a brutal pace for the last forty minutes or so. When they’d first entered the forest they’d seen a few of the other people from the clearing, heard them moving through the forest’s thick undergrowth. But now Liz didn’t hear anyone outside of their party of three. It made the forest feel bigger and more intimidating.
“What’s the hold up?” The woman that had helped them out of the clearing jogged up to them.
“We just need a breather.” Liz stuck out her hand, “I’m Liz by the way.”
The woman’s smooth palm gripped her hand, “I’m Allison, Allison Sparks.” In the growing light, her hair glinted dark red and hundreds of tiny freckles spread across her nose and cheeks. Fresh faced and young, she looked startlingly vulnerable, her appearance casting an astonishing light on her actions of the morning. Few people would have exhibited the poise and control she had. Liz would be forever grateful for her help getting out of the clearing.
“I’m Rachel, by the way.” She didn’t bother to move from where she’d propped herself up against the tree, but did manage a small smile and a little wave.
“We really shouldn’t stop.” Allison glanced around warily. “We don’t know how long they’ll actually wait before they come after us.”
Liz stiffened. “You think they’ll come before nightfall?”
“No.” Allison cast a cautious glance at Rachel, who was watching the exchange with wide eyes, her face frozen in a shell-shocked expression. “But I don’t intend to trust them to play by their so-called rules.”
“I agree.” Liz frowned and pushed the sensation of the wolf’s snout pressed up against her out of her mind. The feel of his tongue…
No.
Stop, don’t think about it.
Don’t feel it.
“You okay?”
Liz forced herself to focus on the present. “Yeah.” Allison’s fingers curled around her limp hand and squeezed.
“You did great back there. You held it together.” Allison’s soothing blue gaze held hers. “Keep it up.”
“Right.” Liz squeezed her hand and let it go.
“Look, let’s try to get a little farther. The more distance we put between us and them, the better.”
“Okay.” Liz turned and extended a hand to Rachel. “She’s right. We’ll get a little farther into the woods, then take a break.”
Rachel looked at her from behind her bangs, panic lurking, ready to drag her under.
“Don’t think. Just move.”
“Don’t think about it, she says.” Rachel muttered under her breath as she gripped Liz’s outstretched hand. “A crazy pack of dog-men is hunting us through the woods, and she says don’t think about it.” Rachel forced a smile. “Don’t think about it, my ass.”
An hour and a half later Liz couldn’t tell how much progress they’d made. They’d moved quickly, occasionally chatting to fill the most oppressive of the silence, but for all Liz knew they’d been walking around in circles. Regardless, they needed to stop soon; Rachel hadn’t said anything in half an hour and she was beginning to drag her feet. She needed a break. They all did.
Allison disappeared over a hill a hundred yards ahead. Liz moved past Rachel, ignoring the burning in her legs. “Come on, let’s get up this hill. Then we’ll rest.”
Finally, thighs burning and sweat soaking her hairline, Liz crested the hill. “I swear when I get home, I’m spending some quality time at the gym.” She turned and helped Rachel maneuver over the steepest section.
They stood together for a moment and surveyed the landscape before them. “Oh God.” Rachel uttered a defeated noise and slid to her butt.
Disappointment