Chapter 3
Chapter Three
The glow of the campfire died down, and the silhouettes of the guide and his target faded into the darkness.
If only he’d caught up with them sooner, his work here would be done.
But, they—she—the Almighty Bitch, had the luxury of a canoe and he had to follow on foot in unknown territory.
Crossing over tributaries, ravines, and trudging through thick brush had slowed him down some.
That, and making sure his target or the other parties hiking and canoeing did not see him, caused his travel to take even more time.
His heart raced, but Almighty Bitch was in his sight now.
In the darkness of night, he’d edge closer to her and then wait for daylight to find an opportunity to right the wrong she’d done to him and others in her wake.
She’d pissed him off. He was sick of her kind.
The perfect and almighty. Those who looked down upon him.
She’d pay and never do that to him or any other man again.
A rush of adrenaline shot through him. He smiled at himself.
Yes, when he was done with her, she’d never be able to look down upon anyone again. That thought was euphoric.
A knife stabbed at his brain, ruining the beautiful thought in his mind.
He cupped his head with his hands and pushed with all the strength he had, as if that would help to ease the sharp pain.
It didn’t. With his right hand, he slapped his own head.
Hard. He wanted to scream in agony, but still had enough wits about himself to know he shouldn’t or the others would hear him.
The pain in his brain intensified. He squeezed his eyes shut. It didn’t help, so he reopened them.
Distraction. He needed a distraction. He slapped himself again, then reached down and pulled the switchblade from his pocket, opened it, and with a small bit of pressure, dragged the sharp blade over the top of his forearm, careful not to cut too deep.
Just deep enough to pull his attention from the shooting pain in his head.
The last cut to his arm hadn’t healed yet. The cuts were coming faster and faster.
In the darkness, he could barely see the wound, but his stinging flesh and the feel of the moisture on his arm brought relief to him.
His body went languid, and he slid his back down the tree behind him until his butt rested on the ground.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the tree.
Total euphoria as if he was on the best drug-induced high known to man, yet he didn’t take drugs.
Not anymore. Not since his last run-in with law enforcement.
He had no chances remaining. Any other mishaps and he’d be in prison.
He knew and believed it. His lawyer warned him, too.
The man was confident he could get him out of the mess he was currently in, but one more misstep and he’d be done.
Even with knowing that, here he was, trailing Almighty Bitch.
It’s like he couldn’t help himself. He was drawn to her like a magnet.
Slowly, he opened his tired eyes, though he was exhausted. Life exhausted him. People exhausted him. He needed the high of teaching Almighty Bitch a lesson. That should get him through a few more days.