Page 46 of R for Rough

Smart boy. He veered away from the area of boulders, most likely guessing it was a good place for me to hide.

I’d had a feeling he’d be walking back since he’d stopped earlier.

As long as he didn’t turn toward the wider part of the stream, he would walk between two of the eight trees where I’d prepared a wire for him to trip over. Because he’d brought his gear, and I’d brought mine.

Good thing too. My boy was definitely a fighter. And a fast little shit.

Was he nervous? As he trailed closer to the trap, he looked around himself every few seconds. The ground was more level here, without many rocks and pits.

I folded my arms over my chest and smiled to myself. He was almost there. A few more feet.

Don’t change course.

I’d initially only wired four of the trees, and if I’d stopped there, he’d have smooth sailing right about now. Instead… Istood straighter, staying hidden behind a boulder and some spruce trees, and I watched him walk right in there. So focused on what might happen around him, he didn’t pay attention to his feet. His left foot got caught, and he let out a short scream as he stumbled forward and landed on the ground.

I grinned.

“You son of a bitch!” he yelled. He hurriedly scrambled to his feet and glared in this direction. “Are you in there? I know you can see me!”

Wasn’t the first time he’d yelled that.

He huffed and spun around a couple more times to check his surroundings, and then he cursed and took off in a light run.

My cue to follow.

I waited until he was past the stream, when I almost couldn’t see him anymore. Then I ran after, sticking close to the trees, one by one, ready for whenever he turned around.

It’s your turn now, little one.

I paid extra attention to where I landed to keep from making too much noise, and slowly but surely, I gained on him. The vegetation grew thicker, making it easier for me to hide, and I sank into a feral mind-set where all I saw was my prey.

I’d missed that feeling. I’d instinctively known it would be enhanced with Tracy, but when we’d hunted the prey in a group, something had gotten lost. This was going to be my crack. When it was only him and me.

I picked up a small rock along the way, and I threw it as far as I could to the east.

He heard it when it made impact, which gave me room to advance in the opposite direction.

“Why are you hiding, you coward?!” he screamed.

Closer.

It was the headiest sensation—and to a degree I’d never experienced before. My rapid breathing matched the mutedsound of my footfalls, my body was warm and felt more flexible, my focus was razor-sharp, and pain didn’t register.

Closer.

Thirty or so feet… Twenty-five…

Tracy started running once more, but I was faster. He had no idea I was behind him and approaching quickly.

He’d hear me very soon, but by then, it would be too late.

I felt my pocket quickly, making sure I had the handcuffs.

I heard him panting.

For an intoxicating moment, it felt like I was flying through the woods.

At fifteen feet, give or take, he must’ve heard me. He whipped around, and I caught the exact moment his eyes widened with fear and shock. It shot a bolt of dark glee through me, and then he was fucking mine. I slammed into him just as he screamed no, and I sent us both to the dirt. I was quick to shoot my hands out, minimizing my impact, and he had no time to fight back before I grabbed him in a chokehold.

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