Page 192 of Three Reckless Words

I don’t understand when he sniffs, holding out a cautious hand like he recognizes me. I’ve never seen this guy in my life.

Unless—

“Archer Rory,” he clips, his eyes wary. I look at his hand, but there’s no way I’m about to shake it as I realize who I’m dealing with. “I’m Carroll Emberly, Winnie’s father.”

“Iknowwho you are,” I spit.

His gaze flits across my face, sizing up my expression. He holds up his hands defensively, oozing a heavy sigh.

“Before you punch me in the face, please hear me out…”

25

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE (WINNIE)

Ithink it’s getting dark again.

I’ve watched the sun moving through the breaks in the leaves. It feels like watching an hourglass running out.

Out here, time means nothing and also everything.

I can barely remember if this is the first or second night.

The only thing I do know—and I really do know it—is my body hurts.

It feels like being plugged into a dull electrical current.

What started as a drumming pain became a steady, deep ache that makes it hard to think. When I blinked my sore eyes open this morning, I was damp and confused and so, so tired from having wandered around all night, totally lost.

And I do meantotally.

If there was ever a path in this part of the woods, there’s no sign of it now, buried under years of thick brush and debris. Every step I take feels like the wrong flipping way.

So yes, now it’s getting dark again.

My legs are wet spaghetti and my stomach gurgles. I really should’ve thought harder about what to pack for food instead of doubling down on dried fruit and instant oatmeal. I only hadchili the first night because I thought I’d be settled by now and I didn’t want to lug around tons of cans.

I’m so tired I could pass out cold, face down in the dirt.

I blink, force myself to yawn, trying to figure out which way is up and forward, and press onward. Overhead, the rustling leaves block the last scraps of daylight.

I’m slowly resigning myself to death.

Then my stomach flips over again, threatening to heave up my guts, and I change my mind.

I’m so not ready to die.

There’s nothing I want less than to slowly run out of food and die out here, feeling my life draining away like I’m sinking in the world’s slowest tarpit.

Plus, being eaten alive, one mosquito bite at time.

Another little vampire comes for me, landing on my arm and instantly stabbing into my skin.

I never said I likedallbugs.

I grit my teeth and slap at it, but the momentum makes me wobble and I tumble back against a thick tree. Rugged bark scrapes my shoulder.

Ow.

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