Page 45 of Sanctuary

“Get the other girls out here,” the hunter said.

Paige and Sarah stepped out. They had also changed into their wet clothes. Simon groaned again and moved slightly.

“I think he’s waking up,” Jerry said.

The hunter walked quickly to Simon and kicked him in the head. He went still. Misty almost cried out but stopped herself.

“I don’t like him,” Paige said in a whiny voice, nodding her chin at Simon. “He gives me the creeps.”

The hunter walked up to her and slid wet hair from her face. He pinched her chin and lifted her head so their eyes met. “You made a good choice, and you won’t need to put up with him again.”

“Thank you,” she all but cried while smiling gratefully.

Did Paige take acting lessons? She was really good at this.

“Help me drag the dummy into the cage, and we’ll lock him in,” the hunter told Jerry. “We’ll get the girls into your apartment, and I’ll come back out here once they’re settled.”

They proceeded to drag Simon into the pen and lock it behind them. They didn’t check the den, and Indra didn’t come out or growl. If Simon woke up, the other items they brought with them could keep him warm.

The girls trudged along behind the men as they made their way slowly to the apartment. They were halfway there when the wind and rain died. The forest went still, the pressure in the air was all that increased. A patch of clear sky shone above them with a dark wall holding back the wind and rain. It formed a circle around them. An eerie feeling came over Misty and she rubbed her arms.

“That’s so strange,” Sarah said, looking upward at the still sky.

“We’re in the eye of the storm,” the hunter volunteered.

Nothing moved in their small world.

“It will get worse again,” said Jerry. “We need to get to my apartment. Hurry.”

They moved at a faster pace. The lights of the apartment came into view, and a giant wall of wind and rain hit them. Misty went to her knees. The hunter hit a tree but stayed upright. Jerry grabbed Paige and Sarah and brought them in close to his chest.

“A little further,” he yelled.

Misty put her eyes on the lights, stood, and moved one foot then another.

Sarah cried out. “I’m okay,” she said after a few seconds.

All Misty could do was keep her head down and go forward. She was too afraid and didn’t feel the cold like she had before. They were going to die on this island. If the hunter or Jerry didn’t kill them, the storm would. Rain mixed with tears.

“Inside,” Jerry said and placed his hand on her arm, pushing her into the apartment.

The girls collapsed in a heap once they were out of the rain. The place wasn’t warm exactly, but it was ten times better than being outside.

“There’s the heater,” Jerry said and pointed to the corner on the far side of the room.

Slowly, the girls got up and moved to the small bit of warmth.

“This feels so good,” Sarah whispered a moment after they put their hands close.

“I’ll make them something warm to drink,” Jerry told the hunter.

The man ran his eyes over the girls, and Misty shivered. He looked at them like they were a juicy piece of steak. It creeped her out.

“Get them warm. Maybe showers so they’re cleaned up by the time I return.” He said the words to Jerry, then turned back to the girls. “I want you dry and clean for the party we’re going to have.” He reached his arm out, and his fingers closed around the upper part of Paige’s arm. “You’ll be good girls, won’t you?”

Misty had to physically keep her jaw from dropping when Paige reached out and ran her fingers over his hand. “If you keep us dry and warm, I’ll give you anything you want.” Her voice was deep and provocative.

The hunter smiled. “Call me, Dale.”

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