Page 88 of Campfires & Canines
“Want to dance?” Jasper murmurs in my ear. His thumb rubs over my knuckles.
I grimace. “Rather not.”
He chuckles. “We have time. At least get a drink and eat something.”
“No offense, but the food here is terrible.”
He pulls me into his chest, his hair brushing my temple as he leans over my shoulder. “We still have to show off how we are a couple,” he reminds me.
“Gross,” I mutter.
“Just what every man wants to hear,” he retorts. With a sigh, I turn my head and place a kiss on his cheek. “That’s not going to sell it,” he warns.
“I hate you,” I whisper as he drags me towards the center. I’m joking, mostly.
We halt in the middle of the throng. The music vibrates in my bones. Ignoring everyone around us, Jasper pulls me close and we start to sway. As the pop vocals race through the chorus, he spins me. His smile is genuine, and I can’t help but return it.
Softly, he murmurs, “We’ve got a lot of eyes on us.”
“One time.” I hate this part, but it’ll be worth it.
With a sigh, I take Jasper’s face in my hand and kiss him, mouth closed. Holding my waist, he presses forward, bending me backward. It’s an effective show and over quickly, fortunately. I resist the urge to wipe my mouth as he tugs me out of the spotlight. Hopefully, everyone thinks we are seeking out privacy to cement our bond.
The moment we close his front door, he drops my hand and hurries to the window. “Okay, let’s give it ten minutes.”
He crosses the room, heading towards the bedroom. I catch his arm. “Jasper, thank you for this.”
Swallowing, he nods curtly and steps past me.
It takes only minutes to change into a dark t-shirt and leggings and strap my knife on my thigh again. I’m tightening the laces on mytennis shoes when Jasper leans around the door frame. “I think it’s been long enough. This will take me a minute or two and then you run like hell.”
“I’m ready.” Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I follow him to the bedroom window.
Jasper slips out and then helps me out. I stand silently against the concrete block wall as he creeps away.
The minutes stretch as the raucous party reverberates through the dim. Drunk men shout and jeer, and it sounds like at least one fight has broken out.
All at once, the overhead string lights and the safety lights cut out. Darkness overtakes the commune. I take off, racing forward without waiting for my eyes to adjust. There’s scarcely enough moonlight to see the tree line, but I have to reach it before anyone looks around.
I dart between the trunks, barely slowing. My eyes have already adjusted to the darkness, and I’m able to dodge between trees. I have to reach the border. It’s not that far. The steady downhill slope reassures me that I’m going in generally the right direction.
Blind terror overtakes me as the sounds of a pursuer echo around me. I gasp, my side stitching as I sprint as fast as I can, fresh adrenaline flooding my body.
A body hurtles into me, nails scraping along my back as they clutch at my shirt. I roll once and then spring up, ignoring the ache shooting through my arm.
Ember is crouched a few feet away. Her dark eyes glow like liquid copper. I fumble with the straps around my leg and yank out the knife a second before Ember leaps at me.
I slash wildly. She hisses, twisting to avoid my blade.
“You can’t make me go back,” I snarl.
Ember straightens and begins to prowl in a wide circle. The knife in my hand is shaking.
“Don’t worry, frail little Hazel. You’re not going back to my brother.” Her teeth gleam in the darkness.
“What is wrong with you?” I mutter.
She launches and I strike, slicing into her arm. But she is so fast and isn’t deterred by the blood streaming down to her elbow. She grabs my left wrist and twists it. I hold onto the handle with every ounce of strength I have, but she wrenches my arm around and brings a knee up into my gut.
