Page 174 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Don’t beat yourself up about it. There are women who fell for Ted Bundy’s charms and then got murdered for it. So shit happens.”

“Victor-whatever-his-fucking-name-is is a brilliant comparison to that psychopath.”

Suddenly, a bullet ricochets off the rock next to me.

“What the fuck was that?” Brittney screams.

“Ted-fucking-Bundy’s reincarnate!” I shout. “Come on, we need to get to the top!”

They’re still at the bottom, and we’re closer to the top. Behind us, the relentless pursuit continues. The atmosphere resonates with tension of the chase, and we continue pressing on.

The higher we go, the smoothness of the rocks disappears, and they become looser and harder. It doesn’t help that we’re getting shot at either.

“They’re getting close,”

“No, they’re not. If they were, we’d be dead. Their aim is way off.”

I’m talking bullshit here, but I don’t want Brittney to fall into despair and give up. The first time I faced death, I was ready to give up and give in. This is her first real life brush with danger; it’s too easy to give up. But when you beat death once, you’re prepared. You fight.

Perhaps I won’t make it out of this canyon today, but hell if I’m giving in.

With that thought, I continue climbing. Every pull takes so much out of me, but I’m determined to reach the top.

“I can’t,” Brit sobs below me.

“Yes, you fucking can,” I scream. “Don’t you dare give up on me!”

“We're the warriors of the night, dancing in the moonlight. Sisters standing strong, singing our song.”I start singing the chorus to one of the biggest hits I ever had back when we were Sugar Vixens.“Never giving up, girl power rising up. In the rhythm of our hearts, we're tearing worlds apart,”I sing,hoping Brittney joins in with me.

“On this journey, side by side, With every step, we'll reach new heights.” I hear her faint voice behind me, joining in.“Fearless hearts, breaking through the walls, Together we rise, no mountain's too tall.

“We'rethe warriors of the night, dancing in the moonlight, Sisters standing strong, singing our song. Never giving up, girl power rising up. In the rhythm of our hearts, we're tearing worlds apart.

“In unity we sing, in strength, we believe, This anthem of sisterhood, it's our time to achieve. Never giving up, our voices loud and clear. In this symphony of sisterhood, there's no room for fear.”

We continue singing the song as we climb, our voices probably off-key and way too flat, but who gives a shit. I don’t have to worry about Brit behind me as long as I hear her voice.

Finally, on my last climb, I yell, hurling myself up and not wasting a second, throwing the safety off the rifle and switching it to semi-automatic mode. Thank god, I’m prepared for the recoil on this monster and can control it enough to maintain aim.

“Get behind me,” I tell Brittney as soon as she’s up.

I stop shooting momentarily and look down, my eyes scanning the mountain.

“Fuck, it’s high up here,” she says, staring below. “Do you think they’ve climbed down?”

“No, I think they’re dead,” I say, feeling very strange about it.

“Oh. Shit. Have you killed before?”

I turn and look at her.

“Are you serious? Do you think I do this kind of shit for fun?”

“I don’t know…you look like a pro…”

Her words trail off as I see movement below and try to aim this time. I don’t have that many rounds left.

My aim is fucking atrocious, but up here, we’re at the advantage.

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