Page 45 of Taunting Tarran
I hit the ground hard, my body twisting as I land on my side. The guard towers over me, his eyes locking onto mine.
‘You want to go first?’ he sneers, ‘You only had to ask.’
I thrash around, kicking him away. ‘I dare you to fucking try.’
A smirk spreads across his face. ‘I’d like to see you run, would you run from me?’
‘Yes, after I’d killed you,’ I spit.
He chuckles, leaning in closer, his tongue licking the side of my face. ‘That would be rather difficult without your legs. That would be the first thing I’d do. I’d cut your legs off.’
I swallow.
‘Juan,por favor.The clients will be here any minute.’
He stands up, zipping up his trousers. ‘Puñeta, wasting my time.’
Jessica’s eyes meet mine, a fleeting connection inthe chaos. Her lips move silently, mouthing, ‘Thank you.’
The words hitting me harder than I had expected.
The guards yank us to our feet, their grips bruising our skin as they drag us forward. The sound of heavy boots crunching against the gravel, mingle with the metallic clink of chains. Ahead, a set of towering gates loom, and one by one, we’re shoved through, the gates groaning as they swing open. The cuffs bite into my wrists one last time before they’re unlocked, the weight of them replaced by something heavier – collars.
‘Hurry!’ the piece of shit says. ‘Our guests will be here soon.’ His eyes return to mine. ‘You might want to start running.’
The girls exchange panicked glances, all but me and Jessica, they set off into the woods behind us. I lean towards the gate, clutching the metal tightly. ‘Please,’ I beg.
The guards’ laughter echoes around us, sharp and cruel, mocking even, as the biting wind whips against our skin. My stomach churns as a black SUV screeches to a halt, the tires spitting gravel. My breath quickens, each inhale like shards of ice slicing through my chest.
The car’s doors swing open, and figures spill out, their voices low and casual, as if it’s just another day for them. One of them, a woman with raven-black hair pulled into a tight braid, knee-high boots clicking against the ground with each step. A handbag made from a human skull swings from one shoulder, while a crossbow rests on the other.
Her eyes lock onto mine, and a smile spreads across her face. The guards’ laughter fades into nothing as she approaches. She’sthe first to stride towards the gate, her voice cutting through the laughter.
‘Oh, this one is making it rather easy. All that money! How disappointing. Glad I never won that bid.’
The woman raises her crossbow, her movements deliberate and unhurried. The guard pushes her weapon down with a firm hand as other people approach. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to wait,’ he says, his voice steady and authoritative. ‘All prizes are entitled to a half hour head start. Unless this is your prize, you’ll be penalized and withdrawn from the game.’
A tense silence falls over the scene as the woman hesitates, her grip tightening on the crossbow.
The guard continues. ‘The rules are clear.’
Finally, she lowers the crossbow, her eyes still burning with determination. The guard steps back, keeping a watchful gaze on the group. The other guards remain on high-alert, their rifles cocked and ready.
The woman’s fingers glide to her skull-shaped handbag, the dramatic flair in her movements unmistakable as she unclips the clasp, lifting the top of the skull – each gesture crafted to command attention. From within, she withdraws a cigarette, the faint metallic snap of the lighter following close behind. The flame flickers, casting a shadow across the curve of her thin lips, as they curl into a smile.
‘Fair enough,’ she concedes. ‘But, I’m coming for you, Butcherbird.’
More black SUV’s pull up as large speakers blareinto the darkening wilderness behind me.
‘Girls,’ the voice from the speaker booms, ‘from here on, you will be known as prey. You have twenty minutes to hide before the hunt begins.’
The words hang in the air. The trees seem to shudder with the weight of them, the wind carrying the echo far beyond where we stand.
The guards remain motionless, their eyes scanning newcomers. In front of me, the five heavily-armed figures shift nervously, their weapons catching the fading sunlight, gleaming promises of violence. Every instinct tells me to run, but the woman’s stare pins me in place. But the clock is ticking. She exhales a plume of smoke, the curl of it twisting in the cold air, her eyes locked onto mine with a predatory gleam. It’s not just a look – it’s a challenge, a dare. The countdown echoes in my ears, each minute a hammer striking against my chest. I bolt towards the woods, my feet pounding against the earth as the mechanical voice drones on, counting down to something I don’t want to face. The trees blur around me, shadows stretching, gnarly branches reaching out to grab me. Then, the voice cuts through the chaos again. ‘ATTENTION, all prey. When the red light shines, you must stop immediately. Failure to comply will result in immediate elimination.’
I freeze, my body locking as the words themselves seized control. My eyes dart to the sky, searching for this ominous red glow. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know one thing – I can’t afford to make a single mistake.
They want us to run, but then they want to immobilize us while our predators catch up. It’s rigged!
