Page 125 of Saints & Sinners
They spun to face me, Brandon clutching a makeshift spear like mine and Silas holding what looked like a broken tree branch.
Rule number one: Never depend on these two for strategy.
“Cain.” Brandon lowered his weapon. “We were just—”
“Getting nowhere,” Silas interrupted.
I shook my head. “Guessing neither of you have found a stoneyet.”
They exchanged a sheepish glance, and I sighed.
Of course not.
I shook my head, stepping past them. But before I could get far, I stopped, turning back slightly. “Grace,” I said, “make sure to look out for her.”
Silas blinked. “Grace?”
Brandon tilted his head. “She’s capable, isn’t she? I mean, she did get chosen, so—”
“Just do it,” I said sharply, the edge of my voice cutting off any protest.
I started moving again, but Silas’s voice stopped me.
“Hey,” he said, tipping his chin up at me. “What’s wrong with you tonight?”
My jaw tightened. “Nothing.”
Silas stared at me; his eyes narrowed like he didn’t believe me one bit. I didn’t say anything else and instead focused on the path ahead because I already knew what was wrong. And the last thing I needed was to involve anyone else in my problems.
I decided that I hated any type of running.
Not just physically but mentally, too.
I was tired, craved sleep, and desperately needed to sit down, but all I did was run and run and run. I didn’t know where I was going; I just knew I was heading forward.
The ground was uneven as I slowed down, and my lungs stung with the lack of air. I pressed my hand to a tree trunk to steadymyself, my breath shaky and my hair damp from sweat.
I leaned my head against the bark, closing my eyes as I tried to focus on getting my heart rate back to normal.
That’s when I heard a whimper come from nearby, and my heart jumped into my throat.
My eyes snapped open as I scanned the forest. Slowly, I pushed myself off the tree and crept towards the sound.
That’s when I saw it.
A girl—someone from the Guardian Sector.
She was slumped against a tree, her arm bent at an impossible angle that made my stomach churn.
I swallowed hard, stepping closer until her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing with distrust. I raised my hands and glanced skyward, wondering if the Council werereallywatching me like this was all a reality TV show for them.
I shook my head at the thought.
“It’s okay. I’m—” My gaze lowered to meet with the girls. “I’m here to help.”
She didn’t move as I approached, though her fingers twitched like she was deciding whether to strike. Kneeling beside her, I reached out towards her arm, but she lunged the second my hand touched her.
I barely had time to react before she knocked me back. I hit the ground hard and watched as she stumbled to her feet, running off in another direction.
