Page 56 of Searching Blind

But the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

They weren’t alone.

chapter

nineteen

Sawyer cursed at himself as he dragged on his pants. He knew better than to let his guard down like that, especially out here in the wilderness with a killer on the loose. But being with Lucy, holding her, loving her, had driven every rational thought from his mind. All he’d been able to focus on was the feel of her skin against his, the sounds of her pleasure, the way she clenched so tightly around him as she came apart in his arms.

Now, cold dread trickled down his spine as Zelda’s warning growl vibrated through him. He quickly buttoned his pants and reached for his boots, jamming his feet into them. He didn’t know where his shirt was. Hopefully still draped over Lucy’s shoulders, but he wasn’t about to waste the time looking for it.

They needed to move.

Sawyer stood, every muscle tense and ready for action. Zelda pressed against his leg, a comforting weight grounding him as his other senses strained to pick up any sign of danger. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his nose, but underneath it was something else. Something that made his gut churn with unease. “We need to go. Now.”

He heard the rustle of fabric as Lucy finished dressing. “I don’t see anything,” she whispered, fear making her voice tremble slightly. “But something feels… wrong.”

“It’s okay.” He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt. “We’re going to be fine. But we need to get moving.”

He grabbed their packs and blankets, hastily stuffing everything inside. He slung his pack over his shoulders and handed Lucy hers before picking up his cane.

He gripped the cane tightly in one hand and reached for Lucy with the other. “Stay close to me.”

He felt her small hand slip into his, her palm cool and slightly clammy. He gave it what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze as they set off into the dense forest, moving as quickly and quietly as possible over the uneven ground.

The only sounds were their ragged breathing and the crunch of pine needles beneath their feet. Sawyer strained his remaining senses, trying to pick up any indication of pursuit, but all he could hear was the thudding of his own heart.

They had only gone maybe a hundred yards when a sharp crack broke the stillness of the forest behind them, like the snap of a large branch. Or a gunshot.

Lucy gasped and stumbled, her grip on his hand tightening to the point of pain. Zelda froze beside him, her entire body vibrating with tension.

“Fuck,” Sawyer swore under his breath. “Run!”

He took off, trusting Zelda to guide him. He hated he had to let go of Lucy, but he needed both hands free for better balance or he was going to end up face-planting into a tree or sprawling over some unseen root. And they didn’t have time for that.

Lucy kept pace beside him, her breathing coming in sharp, panicked pants. They crashed through the underbrush, branches whipping at their faces and snagging their clothes.

Another crack echoed through the trees, closer this time. Sawyer’s heart seized in his chest. Definitely a gunshot.

Who the fuck was shooting at them?

“This way,” Lucy gasped, tugging him sharply to the left. He followed her lead without question.

They barreled down a narrow game trail, the dense foliage providing a little cover from whoever was taking potshots at them. The terrain was treacherous, full of hidden roots and rocks that could easily trip them up. Sawyer stumbled more than once, and Lucy was right there by his side, pulling him up when he did.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she panted as they ran, repeating it like a mantra.

Another shot rang out then, closer still, followed by the sharp whizz of a bullet flying past them. Sawyer flinched instinctively, pushing Lucy further ahead of him. “Go!”

He’d be damned if he let anything happen to her because he was lagging.

“No.” Her hand closed around his again. “We’re staying together.”

“Stubborn.”

“Learned it from you.” She guided him as they made a sharp turn, veering down a steep incline. The scent of water filled the air— a river.

Suddenly, Lucy let out a terrified yelp and vanished from his side, her hand tearing from his.

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