With bated breath, we move through the trees as carefully as possible. I concentrate on keeping my footsteps light, avoiding the branches beneath my feet. Far off in the distance, Zoe’s singsong voice calls out for me, and it’s impossible to discern which direction it’s coming from. I don’t trust my brain; it’s still having difficulty staying in the present.

Out of nowhere, a figure streaks across our path, and I come to a shuddering halt.

James tackles Mason, sending the two of them tumbling to the ground, rolling down the steep incline. I follow them, my hands scraping against bark as I grab branches to keep myself upright, feet sliding in the dirt. Grabbing a fistful of Mason’s shirt, James clocks him in the jaw, and my stomach bottoms out.

“Stop!”

“Hey, doll.” He grins, eyes bloodshot.

“Let him go, James.”

“Wish I could, sweetheart. You know I’d do anything for you. But we’re in too deep. It’s out of my hands.” Pausing, he glances down at Mason. “Metaphorically, of course.”

When he reaches out to deliver another blow, Mason blocks it, grabbing James’s arm with gritted teeth. Using his free hand, he sucker punches James, winding him, and takes the opportunity to flip over, sitting upright. There’s a mess of limbs and elbows, but Mason manages to maintain his advantage.

He turns to me, blood trailing from his nose. “Run,” he tells me, voice low. “I can handle him.”

Panic makes my throat seize up. “I’m not leaving you—”

“Run.”

Acting on a whim, I bolt in the direction of the mouth of the trail. I dart through the trees, veering off the path and jumping over tree trunks and fallen logs, letting out a string of breathy expletives.

“See you later, doll!” James’s voice is distant and haunting, echoing through the forest.

One of my boots catches on a root, sending me tumbling down a small overhang of earth, and a strangled yelp leaves my mouth. I land on a large stone, inhaling sharply, and forcing down another scream of pain.

Gritting my teeth, I clench my fists, looking up to the top of the hill I just fell from. The good part about my descent is that I’m shielded from view now. The bad part is everything else.

I try to ignore the searing pain flaring up on every inch of my skin and drag myself along the ground closer to the edge of the hill, blowing away a strand of hair that falls into my face.