Page 63 of All He Sees
Nicky wanted to tell Mira there was a way out of this. But she couldn't. It was too dangerous.
"Just follow me," Nicky said. "We're going to get you out of here."
Mira went along with Nicky, and they kept running. Nicky tried to go back the way she came, hoping they wouldn't find anyone before they got to the exit.
"They were going to kill me," Mira said. "All of them. I heard them talking."
"How many of them are there?" Nicky asked.
"I don't know," Mira said. "They grabbed me and took me here then released me into the woods. Then they started shooting and hunting me."
Jesus Christ, Nicky thought. They were hunting her for sport. Hunting a real, human girl for sport.
And now Nicky was part of the chase.
Nicky was quickly developing a plan. She needed to get Mira to safety first. And then she needed to track down these men and kill the bastards before they hurt anyone else.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Mira said, then vomited.
Nicky grabbed Mira, who was shaking and crying. She put an arm around her and kept going. The tunnel was dark and damp, and it was clear that it didn't lead anywhere good.
"You don't need to be afraid," Nicky said. "I'm here to help you. But we have to keep moving."
That was when something echoed, somewhere deep in the tunnel.
Laughter.
Male laughter.
Nicky's heart stalled.
"I think I heard the bitch down here," one of the boys said.
"Sounds like someone's crying."
Oh God, Nicky thought. She's in trouble.
"Whatever," another boy said. "She's down here somewhere. Let's just find her and kill her."
They were getting closer. They were still searching for Mira. And now they were coming after her.
Nicky looked around. She grabbed Mira by the arm and pulled her down the tunnel, forcing her to walk, but everything echoed in here. She was sure the boys would hear their footsteps. But when Mira planted her feet on the ground and refused, Nicky looked back to see her sobbing.
"We can't outrun them," Mira said. "They'll kill us. They'll just keep hunting us. Just give up. Just let them kill me."
"No!" Nicky whispered harshly. She wasn't leaving this girl behind, even if it cost their lives. "No. We're gonna get you out of here. Mira, listen to me. Stay quiet and keep following."
Mira sniffled but nodded. Nicky grabbed her wrist and dragged her more. Nicky needed to call Ken, but if she talked too loudly it would give away their location. She needed to get out of this damn tunnel before those psychopaths found them.
"I think I hear them."
Another second, and Nicky knew she'd be dead. She reached for her gun, but remembered it wasn't there. She had a feeling the boys would kill her before she could even get a shot off.
Nicky moved faster now, and Mira rushed to keep up. Nicky followed the sound of the footsteps and turned down a tunnel that led away from the direction of the boys. She heard them cursing as she got further away.
The boys were getting closer. She could hear them.
"What the fuck is that?" one of them said.
