To read the previous, and first, installment, go here.

There was movement at the edge of the clearing, just outside the moon’s light. Nayeli narrowed her eyes. Three shadows silently made their way toward the cabin. Clutching the rope she had used to secure herself high up in a tree, she tried to calm her racing heart. They wouldn’t spot her, but she might finally know who was hunting her. This time.

The figures disappeared when they reached the cabin’s front porch. A beat later, a boom echoed in the crisp, night air. A handgun. A shout followed. Nayeli’s heart jumped into her throat. Rick? He was one of them? She squeezed her eyes shut. Focus, Nayeli. What did this moment tell her? For one, their instructions had changed to shoot on sight.

A winter wind whipped up. Nayeli could barely feel her gloved fingers as she untied the rope which held her, wound it up and placed it in her bag. Her feet itched to step down the branches, closer, but she couldn’t risk alerting them to her location. She needed to alter her strategy.

Flashlights had briefly flicked on and off. Now, the three dark figures stepped out of the cabin. Their voices were low as one crouched down, searching the ground. They weren’t going to find enough to track her. She made sure of that. Moments later they passed under her, heading further up the mountain. Nayeli took a deep breath, clenched her jaw, and silently made her way down the tree.

Now it was her turn to hunt them.

To read the next installment, click here.

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