71. Tess
TESS
The sound of my own breath was starting to make me want to crawl out of my skin.
In the darkness, there was no way to know how long I’d been hidden, tucked away in the admission booth inside Alien Assault. Just past my hiding spot, cabins with mounted turrets whizzed by on the tracks below the loading platform.
The light churning was loud at first, but it died down: no competition for the churning of my lungs.
It’s going to give me away.
Which was a silly thought because I’d chosen the hiding spot because the rides obscured slight noises I might make.
Plus, sitting next to the ride was less nauseating than sitting in the teacups for hours. It provided an easier escape than the log flume, giving me a chance to either hop on the ride or return to the park and run.
Even still, after the green lights flashed overhead, I could hear Nash and Blade’s periodic taunts — the way they shouted and hollered across the park. As intimidating as it was, it was a good reminder of what I was doing here.
Stay quiet. Stay still.
There wouldn’t be a reward for staying hidden tonight but it would give me some confidence after my near miss with Cyrus.
The real hunt would be harder, especially as Cyrus’ fervor for victory grew.
“Here, kitty, kitty.” Blade hollered.
But this time her voice was clear. Closer.
Shit.
Ducking my head, I heard footsteps stop on the cobblestone outside Alien Assault.
The long scraping of Nash’s mallet against the pavers stopped short. There was a quiet murmur. And then what sounded like footsteps moving away.
I held my breath deep in my lungs, hoping that if I could just survive a few minutes of suffocation I could stay hidden.
Just as I started to think I might be safe, a figure leapt into my view.
Blood splatter. Black eyes.
Blade.
“Gotcha.” Her hand darted from the darkness, grabbing my shirt.
Launching off the balls of my feet, I moved toward the other admission booth exit.
Deeper into the ride.
But as my momentum built, my body slammed into a wall. “Wrong way.” Nash’s deep voice growled through her mask.
My eyes darted up to hers, gray peeking out under the solid porcelain.
“Fuck.” I gasped.
From behind me, Blade gripped my arms, yanking me away from Nash. “I got her first, she’s mine.”
“Bullshit!” Nash hissed.
My jaw dropped, unable to find a single word as terror took over my entire body.
With an iron grip, Blade started to push me out of the ride’s maze-like entrance and back toward the cobblestone walkways.
She moved with purpose, like she’d already decided where she wanted me. And knowing her, she’d thought about it plenty. Blade was prepared for her prize.
In a sharp whisper, Blade leaned into my ear. “Gotta be faster next time.”
“Should’ve taken off when you heard our footsteps.” Nash added from behind us.
“Oh, and start covering your tracks, Trinket.” Blade laughed.
Fuck. I’d completely forgotten to do that.
They probably followed me directly here.
I couldn’t do that next time, not if I wanted a chance at $40k. Or if I wanted to avoid Cyrus’ wrath.
My throat tightened as Blade led us to a ride: Space Summit. From the outside, it was a towering dome with no end in sight. What lay inside was anyone’s guess.
I’d been hidden for a little while. But guessing by how high the moon was in the sky, not nearly long enough. My two captors would have no need to rush.
I was theirs until sunrise. And they were going to make use of their toy.
Despite my fear, still wary of their masks, there was no denying that deep in my chest a twinge of excitement carried me on.