Prologue
Looking over my shoulder I kept running. I didn’t see anyone following me, but I wasn’t taking any chances. For two weeks I’d watched, waited and planned for the opportunity to get off this island. It was now or never. I couldn’t be here another minute.
I pulled at the hard, red cuff around my wrist, trying, yet again, to pull it off. If I could access my abilities I might have a better chance. It was seamless, I’d spent the last two weeks trying to get it off. Stumbling over a branch, I looked back up and tried to figure out where I was headed. There was no path, and. they never patrolled this way, ever. I didn’t know why, but I intended to find out.
My lungs screamed at me to slow down, but my mind told me go, so I kept going. At any moment I expected to hit another invisible wall. I’d encountered more than one as I tried to discover how well they covered the island. I knew hitting one at this speed would probably knock me unconscious, but I had to try.
I ducked around low branches as I tried to keep going in a straight line. It scraped across my cheek. Shaking off the sting, I glanced over my shoulder when my footing slipped. I slid across the ground on my hip and landed, stunned and panting. The ground dropped off suddenly.
Getting to my hands and knees, I crawled toward the edge. Reaching it, I put my hand out looking for the barrier I couldn’t see. My hand wasn’t stopped by anything.
Inching forward, I leaned over and looked down. It was a straight drop into the water. It had to be at least a hundred-foot drop, from my estimate. Now I knew why no one came this way. There was nowhere to go.
Arms shaking, heart pounding I leaned over to see if there was a way to climb down. Shaking my head in disgust, I sat back on my heels. Even with ropes and a harness, there’s no way I’d try climbing down that.
Now what? I looked behind me and held my breath, listening. I still heard no one. I looked around the edge of the drop off. If I took the time to look further for a way to climb down, it would give them more time to realize I was gone.
Leaning over again, I looked down. Could I jump? I was a good swimmer; I just wasn’t sure I was brave enough to jump. A barrier could also be an unknown factor. If I could find the courage to jump, there was no guarantee I wouldn’t hit a barrier on the way down, or in the water. I could literally be plunging to my death in so many ways.
“There’s nowhere else to go this way. Head back and check in the bushes, she’s hiding somewhere.”
I lay flat on the ground. They knew I was missing. My heart was beating in my throat as I tried to keep my breathing quiet. I looked out over the water. It was quite a distance to the nearest land.
“Told them they needed to put trackers on them. I’m sick of wandering around here with the damn insects looking for women that think they can get off the island.”
I nodded my head, I could do this. Had to do this. Getting up slowly, I stayed low and looked through the trees to see if my location was visible. I didn’t see anyone. I straightened and backed up a few feet. Leaning over on my knees with shaking hands I swallowed the fear lodged in my throat.
“Fuck, I’m getting eaten alive here.”
I leaned toward the edge and launched myself over the side, hoping I’d clear any rocks near the shore. I’d like to say the descent was long enough that I had time to look, but it was over in a flash. Icy water closed over me as I dropped into the depths.
The shock spurred me into kicking toward the top as quickly as I could. When my head broke the surface, I gulped in the fresh air. I’d done it! I was off the island. Bobbing around I turned to look in all directions. There were rocks sticking out, marked so boats would see them. I could rest on the other side of them so no one looking from the island would see me.
Treading water, I debated taking off my shoes, but decided when I made it to land I’d need them to put as much distance between me and these insane people. Kicking was hindered, but I started toward the rocks as fast as I could manage.
The water was much colder than I’d imagined it would be. I was already feeling my muscles start to cramp. Turning, I laid on my back for a moment to check the distance from the island. It wasn’t as far as I’d hoped. I rested for a bit longer, hoping to catch my breath, while scanning along the shore to see if anyone was looking there yet. I didn’t spot anyone.
Flipping back over, I pushed my body further. The shoes had to go, they felt like cement weights. I tried to keep my head above the surface to take them off. The laces were wet and wouldn’t untie, so I bobbed up and down, sputtering for air several times, trying to free my feet.
I had to pause between shoes. I was wasting valuable energy doing this. Taking a deep breath, I sunk beneath the surface and fought to get the second shoe off.
Hands grabbed me, I gulped in water, trying to struggle out of their hold. Kicking out against them, I reached the surface and started swimming with all my strength. I was not going back.
I heard someone say something but wasn’t about to stop and see. The sound of a boat registered, and I swam faster. My side was hurting, my legs felt like they were moving slower and slower. I went under again, and had to fight to not gasp for air while under the surface. Kicking, I managed to get my head above the surface. I didn’t know how much longer I could do this.
A hand touched me again. I kicked out and connected with a body. I heard a man swear as I dropped below the water once more. He pulled me up and held me firmly with his arm wrapped around me. His grip was tight. He was swimming and dragging me. I fought, coughing and swallowing more water than air.
I held onto his arm, trying to rid my lungs of the liquid, gasping for air. He turned, and I found myself at the rock I’d been heading for. I clung to it, still trying to breathe, gathering the strength so I could get away. Large arms surrounded me, his body pressed me against the rough surface.
“I’m not here to hurt you.” He said between breaths against my ear, “you’re safe. We’re here to get you to safety.”
I turned to see a boat coming toward us. “Safe to where?” I coughed when water filled my mouth again as a wave hit the rock.
“Away from that island.” He said calmly, his uneven breathing against my cheek.
I rested my face against the rock, drained, I couldn’t swim any more.
“Arius, let me coast as close as I can.” Another man called out.
I heard the motor of the boat stop.
“Thought she was going to out-swim you.” A third male said.
He lifted his head away from me, “it was close.” He huffed out a breath.
“I brought a blanket.” It was a woman’s voice.
I didn’t know if this was another lie, or a scheme to get me back on the island. My body was numb, I was shaking from the exertion and had no more fight left.
I felt myself being pulled through the water and lifted up.
A woman’s face was in front of mine. “I saw you. You are so brave.” She nodded and wrapped something warm around me. “You’re safe now.”
That was the last thing I heard, just before I closed my eyes.
