Page 38 of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

“Stop,” snapped Angeline.

“What?” said Mav, quieter like a chastened child. “She doesn’t.”

Petra kept Maverick locked in her gaze. “You go back again and again, try to rewrite the truth. But the past won’t be rewritten, no matter how hard we wish it.”

Maverick swallowed hard, looked away.

Then she shifted her attention to Angeline. “This is your last moment to make the right choice. You can’t save them. But maybe you can still save yourself.”

A breath, a beat where anything could happen.

A breath, a beat where Angeline could go climb in the Range Rover and drive away, back home, back to the life she had thought she was going to have.

But no. She stood her ground beside Maverick. Why? She didn’t even know. Maybe it was love. Maybe not.

Finally, a sad nod from the old woman, and then another quiet command.The ATVs roared to life, and moving with agility and grace, Petra climbed on behind one of the bulky men.

Their exit was loud, with some of the men making big circles, whooping loudly around them, then heading off down the road, the roar fading in the night. The other men followed on foot, slowly, footsteps rhythmic, a metronome of warning.

And then they were alone.

Adele, Malinka, Wild Cody, Tavo, Angeline, and Mav stood in a loose circle, stunned, staring at each other. They’d all stowed their phones. Adele looked the most worried. Malinka seemed like a child, confused, not smart enough to be scared. Wild Cody, who was younger, taller, more ruggedly good-looking than Angeline had imagined him, had aseen-it-all-been-there-twice-and-got-the-T-shirtset to his lined and ruddy face. He wore that stupid wide-brimmed leather adventure hat that Hector had been on about.

“Okay,” said Mav, dusting himself off and flashing a wobbly smile to Angeline, who felt so dizzy she wondered if she might pass out. White stars danced in the periphery of her vision.

Maverick cast his eyes around to the silent group, dropped a strong hand on Angeline’s shoulder. His palm was hot, slightly shaking. But when she looked up at him, he had pasted on that grin that hid everything from everyone but her. He was Extreme Maverick, up for what was next, no matter what kind of wipeout had preceded the moment. She loved and hated that about him, in equal measure.

“So,” he said, “are we ready to go live?”

10

ADELE

The Game

The game had begun, the hiders all scattered. It felt primal, like a hunt beginning. There was a deep thrum of excitement, even though Adele knew she was the prey.

She was alone, running up the wet path.

The storm, wild, raged around her, lighting and then darkening the sky like someone flipping a switch on and off. She felt the thunderclaps vibrate beneath her feet. What was supposed to be a game now felt very real.

Was she going to die here, an ocean away from her babies?

She kept running, digging deep. Outrun the storm. Don’t get struck by lightning. Hide. Pray that morning comes.I’m sorry, she told her kids, God, herself.I should have known better.

Legs pumping, she moved deftly around fallen debris. Her feet struggled for purchase on the slick ground.

Where were the others?

They’d moved in opposite directions, unhesitating when Mav gave the word. As soon as the game began, it was everyone for themselves. Any connection she’d felt or imagined to the others was sundered whenthings started to get real. First the violence, then the vanished man, then the storm.

Was there even a game anymore? Or would she just hide out here like Chloe Miranda and never be found, her kids left with no answers about either of their parents?

Stop.

She couldn’t think like that. It would only weaken her. Shewouldget back to them. Shehadto get back to them.

Keep running. Keep moving.

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