Page 173 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Come,” I say, pocketing the device. “They’re going to discover the jeep, and we need to get going.”

“To where?”

I point in the direction of the large, towering rock formation opposite us, and her eyes widen in disbelief.

“That’s a whole mountain!”

“They’re following the jeep’s tracking device, so if we head behind this valley into the neighboring one, we’ll have the advantage over them if they come our way, leaving them exposed and shooting at them. Between us, we have about twenty, maybe thirty rounds.”

“What happens after that?”

“We hope our aim is better than your choice in men.”

She rolls her eyes at me.

“You’re an ass.”

“I love you too, Brit.”

Under the harsh morning sun, we climb back down and race across the arid red rock desert floor. A relentless gust carries the echoes of our footsteps. The terrain is unforgiving; thankfully, I’m wearing my black biker boots, but Brittney is in no way equipped in her outfit, and those designer lamb skin loafers are going to wear out on this rough terrain.

“You look likeG.I. Janeminus the shaved head,” Brittney says amusingly.

“I feel more likeFuriosafromMad Max,” I chuckle as I sling the rifle over my shoulder.

“I guess the all-black works, but honestly, the color matches everything. My hair, my eyeliner, my mascara, my heart, soul, sense of humor. It’s just an easy color to wear.” I grin at her, and she bursts into laughter.

“Oh my god! I swear, girl, we need a full weekend together. I miss you so much!”

“I’ll hold you to that. After this, I doubt I’ll have a career anymore. I bet the media’s going to town hooking me up with the car bomb. They will demand a public execution this time.”

Brittney frowns but not at me, just the damn situation. The media has had it in for me for a while. I don’t know why. One minute, they loved me, and the next, they couldn’t wait to shoot me down so fast.

“And this time, we’re going to town with the lawsuits! We’re not letting them get away with this!” she exclaims, and I love her perseverance.

As the landscape turns into a labyrinth of imposing rock structures, desperation fuels our climb. The rocks, weathered and uneven, pose a tough challenge. Our hands, smeared with red dust, grip onto protruding edges as we navigate the dangerous ascent. The sheer drops on either side hint at the consequences of stepping the wrong way.

“Fuck!” Brittney scowls as the rock beneath her foot crumbles. “This is fucking hard.”

“You can do it, Brit,” I encourage, but I know this is crazy.

Despite it all, I’m determined to get to the top, and as we ascend higher, we’re driven by an instinct for survival.

“Dammit!” Brittney slips again.

“Just don’t look down,” I advise.

“You think I’m crazy? No fucking way,” she exclaims. “Anyway, if I had to judge between the two of us, I’d say you’re the most insane. You know, you could have just returned to LA and gotten therapy or something. Instead, you chose to abandon everything and roam the desert for ten years like some goddam born-again rock star!”

“Are you upset at me?” I say, gripping onto a rock jetting out, testing it, and pulling my body weight upwards.

“Maybe a little. I missed you. But I never questioned your decision because I was afraid you’d do a runner on me like you did with the boys.”

I stop and think about what she’s declared.

“I’m sorry, Brit. I was afraid to talk. Well, you’ve seen what a bastard he can be.”

“I can’t believe I willingly gave myself to that rapist!”

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