A Hunger to Share ( Book Two )

chapter 45

James 

The woods were silent. It felt like walking through a graveyard. The lack of sound, and light was unsettling.

James felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He had to find Ada. He couldn't afford to be scared right now. He could do that later.

"Are you sure this is the right way? I can't hear anything." James whispered after fifteen minutes of walking, dagger ready in hand.  

"Your hearing is not as good as mine." Genevieve whispered back.

"You don't have to rub it in."

"Be quiet, and follow me."   

James did so with the bitter taste of doubt on his tongue.

"We're here." Genevieve finally anounced.

James looked around for Ada. There was no one here. "Viv, are you pranking me? This is not funny." He was too scared to be mad. Terror was a snake moving around, twisting his nerves.

She didn't answer. 

"Vivi talk to me." James hissed.

Still nothing.

James turned her towards himself and looked into her eyes. She wasn't there. They were black. Someone else was looking back at him.

James grabbed her hand, and started dragging her out of the woods. He would question her later. One thing was for sure. It wasn't Ada who was in danger. But Genevieve woulden't budge.

James shook her violently. "Vivi whatever it is, snap out of it. We have to get out of here before..."

"Too late." A familiar voice spoke up. "Come with us without a fight and your sister won't get hurt."

James froze. It was too dark to see anyone but it didn't matter. He remembered that voice. They needed to get out of here right now. He pulled himself together, threw Genevieve over his shoulder and ran.

He wouldn't roll over, and give up, no matter how scared he was. His siblings hadn't raised a coward.

"You never learn." Angelina clicked her tongue.

James heard something snap. He tried to take another step and realized it was his right ankle she had broken.

He hissed in pain, and annoyance, but kept walking. He had to get Genevieve to safety. James knew she was innocent. She would never betray him like this, not wilingly.

"Your wilfulness is admirable but pointless."

James ignored her, and kept walking in the dark, hoping he was going in the right direction.

"What should I break next?" Angelina asked, amused.

"Anything but his pretty face." A second voice answered her.

Fear almost crippled James again but it didn't matter who they were, or what they were going to do to him. He wasn't going to give up without a fight.