Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
I was legit flabbergasted. “My back blew out? Then who would you be? Do tell since you’ve got this all figured out.”
“The final girl standing,” she replied matter-of-factly.
“And I’m the one making dumbass choices?” Roxxi pointed to herself, sounding as incredulous as I felt.
“You did just volunteer to do bird-disposal duty like we don’t have a potential stalker situation,” Ari reminded her.
For a second, we all just looked at each other, then laughter broke out. It didn’t last long, but it helped ease a bit more of the tension.
“You bitches are a pain in my ass,” Roxxi muttered affectionately. “Alright. Plan C, then. No one is going outside tonight. For now, let’s just clean up what we can.”
“That works for me, but I’m going to get dressed first.” I moved toward the bathroom, carefully stepping over the broken glass, and made a point not to look at the poor bird, grabbing my clothes and phone. I paused my music and headed from my room down the hall to Roxxi's. The scent of her perfume curled around me as I stepped inside, comforting and familiar, like her.
I debated whether or not to text Ryder. I already knew exactly how he’d respond. He’d be out for blood and not in a metaphorical way anymore. This happening on top of everything else would send him over the edge. He’d done so well since we started college, and now this Hunt bullshit was coming around to test all of us. It had been so bad before that there were times when I genuinely worried that I’d be helping him go on the run or sitting across from him during visitation hours at a prison because someone had said the wrong thing or looked at me the wrong way.
His father did what needed to be done before things went too far, ensuring he got the help he needed. Only a handful of us knew about any of that. Everyone else saw Ryder Voss as the golden boy of Hemlock Heights, now Crowsfell’s star quarterback. He was known to be this gorgeous, charming heartthrob who didn’t hesitate to help someone out.
I saw him as all of those things too.
I was so damn proud of how far he’d come, but I also knew better than to tempt fate. If I texted him that some psycho had launched a dead crow through my bathroom window, tied up in ribbon and tagged with taunts? He’d lose it. He’d drive straight here, drag me to his house a few blocks over, and lock me away in his room before tracking down whoever was responsible. I could already hear the argument playing out if I got too resistant. He would probably tell my parents if all else failed, and then I would be dealing with a nuclear blow-out.
As if conjured by the mere thought, my phone buzzed with a message from Dad.
Heard the Hunt is getting ready to kick off.
Any word on who got Marked?
I laughed dryly, shaking my head. Of course, he wanted the masala chai gossip so he could share it with his golf buddies. He was worse than I and the girls.
Not yet. I’ll try and find out for you.
That wasn’t entirely a lie. I would be trying to find out who else was in the same situation we were in. Since he reached out first, I was going to count this as my nightly check-in. I tossed the phone onto Roxxi’s bed and reached for the pile of clothes I’d brought with me. My favorite sleep shorts, Ryder’s hoodie, and knee-high socks that looked like tiny sheep. It wasn’t armor, but it would do. I grabbed Roxxi’s brush from her beauty stand, working it through my damp hair. The reflection in the mirror was flat-out exhausted, but she wasn’t out for the count quite yet.
I wondered if any of the guys had been Marked.
Or Ashton.
The group chat was quiet, but it wasn’t unusual for them to simply be caught up in their own stuff. They did have lives too, like I’d tried and failed to remind Ryder. I decided not to stress too much. I knew that whenever it became common knowledge me and the girls were locked into The Hunt, we’d never know peace and quiet until after it was done. My phone went off with a new text alert just as I finished brushing my hair. I turned and picked up my phone, seeing Ashton had finally replied.
Ash
I’m so damn sorry, angel. My dad needed my help after class. Cell died on the way back. You know I’m an idiot and have no car charger.
Okay, not entirely suspicious.
The charger part was true. He couldn’t leave a charging cable in his car to save his life. His dad lived closer to my family’s side of town, but further inland, which would still be a decent drive. That explained why he couldn’t respond if his phone lost power. Now, where the heck did this angel endearment come from?