Pauline chewed on her lower lip and Jo looked like she was about to pass out at any second.

Lisa put her hands on her hips as well. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about what she said. I’m going that way. It’s easier going and I’ll be able to get further away quicker. The sooner I can find a road or some sort of civilization…” She rolled her eyes. “The better.”

“I don’t think you’re going to find much of anything. Nothing human lives anywhere close to where we are right now. I think you’re fooling yourself big time,” Lisa argued further.

“Well, that’s the route I’m taking. You can go wherever the hell you want to. I’m not stopping you.” It was strange, although Lisa was shorter than Candy, she still seemed to look at the other woman from down her nose.

“Whatever,” Candy huffed. “You heard the brief. We only have a four hour head start.”

“Yeah, I heard the brief loud and clear.” Lisa pursed her lips for a few moments. “They also said that the dragon shifters have to stay in human form for the duration of the hunt.”

Candy choked out a humorless laugh. “They will still be way faster than us. I think you’re fooling yourself thinking that you can outrun them by taking the easy route. I’m going to find that river and I’m going to use it to mask my scent. It’s also common knowledge that if you follow water it will eventually lead you to human settlements. Once we’re far enough away, we could even make a raft or some sort of a vessel to get further downriver even faster.”

Lisa shrugged. “I’m done arguing. Good luck, ladies.” She curled her hand around the water bottle that was strung around her neck and started to walk down the gentle slope that would take us further into the valley. The woolen shawl was tied around her waist. They had all done the same.

“We should stick together,” Julie tried. “I agree with Candy, for whatever reason, Scarlet is really hoping that we escape. I don’t trust her, but it is the route that makes the most sense. Besides, that water bottle won’t even last until the end of today and what then?”

Lisa ignored her and continued to walk.

Julie turned back to the rest of the group. “Okay, I’m going to assume that the four of us are going to stick together and head for that river.”

Candy nodded. “If we head out in a northeasterly direction we should hit that stream without losing too much time.”