My facial expression must betray me, because Tartis smiles. “You’re not safe around Kris. He’s luring you into a trap. And you’re not his first victim.”
My head begins aching again. I remain silent.
“He’s done it before,” Tartis sighs. “He’s been friendly toward a few other girls in the village. After gaining their trust, he did some very nasty things. He took advantage of them, then hurt them very badly. Don’t ask me why. He’s insane and it’s hard to predict what perverted ideas he might come up with.”
I stare into the floor, attempting to seem unconcerned. I don’t think I really succeed.
“Let’s make a deal, Kora. Tell me everything you know about his plans, and I’ll allow you and your friends to stay in my village. You won’t have to worry about Kris. My rangers will take care of him.”
I don’t answer. No matter what’s true or not, I can’t betray Wreck, can’t turn against him.
“I’ll let you think on it,” Tartis concludes.
***
The green-eyed roamer leads me back toward the shack where I was kept earlier. We don’t talk. He follows me inside and closes the door.
“Turn around,” he directs, pulling a set of keys from his pocket.
I don’t move, watching carefully.
“I just want to free your arms,” he adds.
Why would this guy help me? I wonder, but do as he says. I’m too exhausted to remain cautious. He removes my handcuffs.
“Thirsty?” He offers me a flask. “Have a drink. It’s just water.”
I stare blankly into his painted face, then take the flask and drink greedily. Only now I fully realize how thirsty and hungry I am. I don’t remember when I last ate.
“Thanks,” I say, returning the flask.
“My name is Chuck by the way. You don’t remember me, do you?”
I shake my head no.
“You kissed me during your initiation,” he explains.
My jaw drops. “What?!”
“It was nothing serious,” he adds hurriedly. “You were telling everyone how much you loved us. And then you suddenly pulled me close and kissed me.” He laughs, averting his eyes. “You were high on Deathfall.”
“Um,” I clear my throat. “Huh… Okay.”
I wonder how many other rangers I kissed during my initiation, and whether Wreck was amongst them or not. Well, I guess it could have been worse.
“We won’t let Tartis kill you,” Chuck promises.
I watch him leave and lock the door behind.
Once he’s gone, I’m finally able to relax. I sit down on the floor and rub my raw wrists, thinking of Wreck. Was it true what Tartis said?
Those same vivid images flash across my mind. I recall Wreck attacking Agatha and Stella. I remember his sadistic smile and glazed eyes. His blood lust and desire to kill terrified me. He was only a moment away from murdering his relatives, including those whom he believed completely innocent. How can I trust him? I can’t.
I don’t know whether he really hurt other villagers here or not. But what I do know for sure is that he’s capable of doing so. He’s aggressive, forceful and has an extremely violent temper. And it’s practically impossible to ever predict his actions.
So even after everything we’ve been through together, after saving each other’s lives multiple times, I still don’t really know who he is. Let alone understand his motives.
The thought hurts so much I want to scream.
I hear the door opening. I turn to look and adrenaline shoots through my veins. A big roamer stands in the doorway, smiling, piercing me with his eyes. I recognize Ace.
“Hey sweetheart,” he says in a tender voice. “Have you missed me?”
I’m unable to answer. I did think of him quite a bit.
“Remember I told you I’d kill you if I saw you again?” He takes a step toward me. “I’ve come to keep my promise.”
[End of Sample]
Follow this link to read more about Kora and Wreck adventures:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCD9VWB
The Mind Breaker Trilogy: Elimination
I also have another thrilling dystopian series available now on Amazon and included in Kindle Unlimited. Follow this link to check it out
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HW5AKK0
Eighteen-year-old Rex is trying to survive in a dangerous world where the government hunts down, imprisons and even kills those with psychic abilities.
He’s a mind breaker, considered not only a deviation from the norm but the biggest threat to society.
Once he reveals his abilities for hypnosis, the deadly hunt begins…
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