Page 141 of Just One Bite
“Thank you for helping. I’m sorry for—”
“You don’t need to apologize. You not trusting anyone in this place is more than warranted … but I love Parker. I’d do anything for him, so you better fucking run as fast as you can out there. And expect shit to go wrong. I don’t know what they’re planning, but since you’re always a target, I figured why not give you a little help.”
“Got it. I will.”
He stuffs his hands in his pockets and turns to leave but stops when he reaches the doorframe.
“I really hope you do care about Parker. I think you do. He thinks you do. He … deserves something good.”
Zant’s always put together but not today. His hair is messy and he’s got stubble on his chin. I wonder if he stayed up talking with Parker.
“Do you really think there’s a chance that Parker and I will be able to be together in peace?”
“Complete the mating bond. The higher up Weres willrespect it. Even Barrett and Aster. Once it’s done, it can’t be undone.”
“Okay … tell Parker I’m running to the west.”
“You got it. Good luck.”
Once Zant’s gone, I memorize the map. There are six outposts that the hunted are split up between and shuffled to while all the hunters are let go in the middle of the island. I sip the potion and hide the empty vial before I board the shuttle. There’s a waterfall nearby, which means I’m on the opposite side of the island I need to be on.Perfect.
I need to stay positive. Parker is fighting. I need to fight too.
“You will have ten minutes to disperse by yourselves.”
We’re all in athletic wear, shorts, and sneakers. There’s an embroidered logo on the polo T-shirt that matches the souvenir I have in my hotel room. My group is vibrant with excitement and laughter. They’ve waited for this. They want this.
I almost wish Tara and I had the same group, but I use the silence as time to focus on my plan. Just like before a performance, I imagine myself going through the motions, running through the trees and following the river to the north in case I get lost.
It smells of rain, and there’s a thick mist settling around us as the sun fades the sky into lilac.
Our adviser has a walkie talkie and is talking back and forth on the position of the others. It’s an odd modern element in an otherwise completely archaic tradition.
“Okay, everyone line up.” He motions next to a row of bushes.
I note the direction of the lingering sun so I can find the west. I have ten minutes to cover as much ground as possible.
“Remember your safety procedures. This is your last chance to forfeit your run. Any takers?”
The girl next to me giggles. This is my run. My part in the game, and I’m going to play it the best way I know how. There’s a relentless hum in my ears as the potion takes its course. There are no cheats in a game against cheaters.
“Alright. Ready …”
“One.”
I inhale. This is a performance. Another dance.
“Two.”
Then exhale.
“Three.”
At the sound of the whistle, we’re all off, and I’m running faster than I’ve ever moved before. There’s no ache in my muscles as I tear through dirt and dead leaves. The voices of the others diminish in seconds.
The sun fades as I weave through the trees, and the moonlight appears through the clouds. There’s a lingering soft-purple haze minutes before the night takes over completely, and I stop to catch my breath. The potion makes me move quickly, but my breath still has trouble catching up with the movement.
The reverberating echo of howling evaporates into the air, and my heart pounds. The hunters are coming. I need to move. Now.
