Page 122 of Freshmeet
Someone killed Linc and Kimmy.
My chest burned as I struggled to take a full breath. The stylish boots, which had been a great idea when Kimmy and I were getting ready, hindered my movements and slowed me down.
Without warning, a large body collided with me, knocking me down a slope. I hit branches and rocks, coming to an abrupt stop against a tree trunk. Blood gushed from deep cuts on my arms and hands, and my jeans were ripped all over.
“Gotcha,” a dark figure said, stepping out of the shadows.
“Who are you?” I asked, dragging my bloody knees to my chest for protection.
They chuckled, pulling a huge hunting knife from its sheath. I shrank back as they got closer, attempting to make myself as small as possible. It didn’t stop them from grabbing a handful of hair and yanking me to my knees.
Staring at the knife, I knew there was only a small window of time to get away. I linked my fingers together and swung, hitting them right in the crotch.
The hand in my hair let go, and my attacker doubled over with a grunt.
Take that asshole.
I scrambled to my feet, feeling every bruise and cut my body had endured. Taking a deep breath, I ran in the opposite direction of the treehouse, praying I would make it back to my friends in one piece.
Listening for footsteps, I tore through the trees, ignoring the burn in my thighs as I pumped my legs as fast as they could go.
I broke through the tree line but didn’t stop.
“Help! Someone’s trying to kill me!”
The few people around the bonfire rushed to my side.
“Holy shit, Laura. What happened?”
I glanced back at the trees. “Kimmy and Linc—they’re—he.” My voice broke, and I let out a sob and then another, collapsing into Grant’s arms.
Kimmy and I had been best friends for my entire life. She was my other half. And now she was?—
“Laura, where are they?” Tom’s quiet voice cut through my spiral.
“The tree house.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
WHO’S DEAD?
SARAH
A faint shriek cut through the peaceful night. Jolting upright, I blinked rapidly, confused about where I was.
“What the hell?” Connor groaned, his arm tightening around my waist as he buried his head between my ass and the pillow.
There was another scream, and Connor shot up, rubbing his eyes as he jumped out of bed and ran to the window. “Fuck. Get dressed.”
“What’s going on?” I stumbled to my overnight bag and pulled out my clothes.
“I don’t know, but people are running around down there.” He tugged on a pair of shorts and waited for me to get dressed before he threw open the door.
We rushed out of the barn into utter chaos.
The Frattic girls stood near Kat’s van, eyes wide. When they caught sight of me, they came running.
“Sarah, it’s bad,” Olivia said, her gaze drifting to the tree line.
