Nessa~
I pressed myself against the tree, breath tearing out of me in loud pants. I could hear them crashing through the woods, bright lights sweeping in my direction. Pain pulsed in hot waves from my injured foot.
"She's here!" one of them shouted.
"If you move, I'll blow your brains out," another bellowed.
His voice vibrated through the small space between us. Seconds later he was right in front of me, flashlight aimed at my face so harshly I had to squint. The rest of them were closing in fast, branches cracking, boots thundering.
Then, in one rough, unexpected motion, he grabbed me and slung me over his massive shoulder like I weighed nothing. I wanted to fight, to thrash, to claw, but exhaustion dragged at me. The pain in my foot roared in warning.
"I've got her," he called out as the others reached us.
They turned, torches lifting, murmuring among themselvesthemselves.
CRACK.
A gunshot ripped through the night.
Everyone froze.
