Page 20 of Russian Roulette
What the hell is that?
I freeze in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest, as I consider the possibility of a pack of wild dogs. But the howls are too deep, too eerie. The entire time I’ve been wandering in the dark, I’ve felt watched. Now I understand why.
As the howls persist, I realize I’m a sitting target. With howls surrounding me on all sides, it’s impossible to determine the safest route. I resume walking, hastening my pace, desperate to put as much distance between myself and the unseen creatures as possible.
9
VULCAN
For fuck’s sake!
What the hell does she think she’s doing wandering around in the desert? I’m several yards behind her, watching her every move. Stalking her is the most fun I’ve had in forever. I always loved playing hide-and-seek in the dark.
Jade thinks she’s so damn smart, sneaking out while trying not to make any noise. I was onto her before she stepped out of the RV. Having been almost killed several times in my life, I’ve learned to sleep lightly. Most nights I rarely sleep more than a few hours at most. I’m acutely aware of my surroundings at all times, every change in sound or smell. It’s the only guaranteed way to stay alive.
The idea of me sleeping while she was inside my RV is a joke. Anticipation of her next move kept me awake all night. I knew without a doubt that she would make a break for it and try to run away. If she hadn’t, my disappointment would’ve been immense.
As the night dragged on, I lay there in my sleeping bag, with my mind wide awake. The crackle of the campfire and the occasional howl of the wind were the only noises that filled the silence. I was listening for something else, something more specific; the sound of her making a move.
And sure enough, when she was certain I was asleep, I heard it. The soft sound of footsteps inside the RV and the tinkling of clothes hangers when she began rummaging through my closet. Once she stepped outside, I could sense her watching me from across the campfire. I pretended to be asleep by slowing my breathing.
I waited until she was too far ahead of me to hear my footsteps before following her. She’s been going in circles with no clear direction and yet she keeps moving. I have to give her credit for not giving up or yelling for help. Not that I would expect her to quit. She’s stubborn and determined. She might not even realize the danger she’s in.
Right now, the coyotes are her biggest threat. They’ve surrounded her on three sides and are much closer than she realizes. If she did, she’d be screaming for me to come to her rescue. Taking on a pack of wild coyotes in the darkness is not for a city girl.
The pack of coyotes and I have lived together in harmony for years out here in the desert. Occasionally I’ll throw them leftover scraps of hot dogs. I doubt they’d attack me unless they were provoked, or felt their pups were being threatened.
Attacking a stranger is a different story.
I’m confused when she keeps walking. Why isn’t she calling for help? She’s too damn stubborn. She’d choose to take on the pack herself and die in the desert before asking for my help. I admire her independence even if she is a royal pain in the ass.
I silently move up closer behind her, curious to watch how she handles the coyotes. When the first coyote howled, she stopped dead still. I wonder if she knows what kind of animal is stalking her? Besides me, of course.
Suddenly, she whirls in my direction, carefully searching the darkness as if she’s seeking me.Damn!Did she spot me? Surely not. Maybe she can sense I’m here the same way I could feel her watching me when I pretended to be asleep.
The coyotes howl again, steadily moving closer. They’re working together as a pack, encircling her from all sides. Coyote attacks on humans are rare, but she’s in their territory and they might have a den nearby. Animals are unpredictable. Anything might happen if they perceive a threat.
I hesitate, torn between wanting to find out how tough she is and the unfamiliar urge to protect her. Or protect the coyotes if they get too close to her. I’d hate for them to get hurt, too. She’s a hellcat and wouldn’t go down without a fight. It wouldn’t surprise me if she was hiding a weapon underneath her clothes.
She turns back around in a circle, continuing to scan all sides. What is she waiting on? This has gone on long enough. I’d better end this before someone or something gets hurt.
Quickly, I rush up and grab her tight from behind, wrapping both arms around her chest. I spot the glint of a knife in the moonlight too late. She slashes straight toward my leg. The knife cuts through my thick jeans and I feel the fiery burn of the blade slice through my skin.
“Fuck!” I yell. “Drop the knife!”
10
JADE
“Drop the knife! Now!” Vulcan yells again in my ear. “Or I’ll break your fucking wrist.” His muscular arms tighten around my chest, cutting off my breath, and he lifts me a foot off the ground. My palm opens, and the knife drops to the ground.
“What the fuck! Put me down!” I yell, kicking back toward his shin in a panic, making hard contact. His grip across my chest doesn’t loosen.
“Calm down, it’s me,” he mutters close to my ear. “Stop fighting! Do you have any more knives?”
“No,” I lie. “Let me go! You scared the living hell out of me. Why did you sneak up on me instead of calling out?”
He stands me back on my feet and turns loose. Immediately, the cold air of the dark night hits me where his warm arms once were. I resist the temptation to lean back into his body and sink into his delicious warmth.
