The Higher Define (2018)

16

I don't know where I am. What I know is that I need to keep heading south. Since the fence runs along a great distance and was where we started out, I need to return there and retrace my steps back.
I make a mental note that once I see the barrier of green, I need go west, where the forest is. If the stream separates the forest and the jungle, I will eventually find it.

I try to run at a pace which is feasible and at a speed that will coax the air from my lungs at a level that isn't loud enough to draw attention. It's difficult, though- I need to be fast enough in such a way that Courtney will not be able to catch up.

I hurry through the thick vegetation and hear a shout from behind which grows louder. Little flags are speck the distance but at this moment, I couldn't care more about breaking the boundary rule.

In fact, crossing the boundary is probably the best option I have. I don't think Courtney dares to go againt the rules. With that thought in mind, I pick up the pace and charge towards the area marked out by the red fabric.

When I have passed the point, I don't stop. I keep running. I need to be certain that I have thrown Courtney off and it doesn't matter to me if the team who is in charge of this boundary sees me as a threat. I'm probably safer with them as a danger than Courtney, anyway.

I count the seconds in my head and tell myself to go a little slower with each passing second. I need to save my energy in case I have to run again.

"Aspen? Is that you?"

Oh no.

I recognise that voice almost too well and a sudden rush of regret swamps my body as I find myself slowly turning towards the source of the noise.

Just as I predicted.

Spencer. There is a look of hope in his eyes as he catches my glance. Standing beside him is the new boy- Utah. They both start towards me and it is too late when ny instincts yell for me to run. They're already standing before me.

Spencer clutches a small gun, like the one that I chose earlier and streaks of paint lines his face and is matted in his hair. I wonder why he refuses to just leave our situation be and put our relationship on hold, even after all that I said.

"Utah. Spencer." The words feel like they're carving against my throat and I try to hide the way my hands fidget nervously. Of course the boundary that I stepped into had to be under Spencer's team's charge.

"You're not supposed to be here." Spencer says but his face is devoid of disapproval. In fact, I see a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as he speaks. Almost as if he finds it funny.

There's a flash of anger that swells in my body when I process his behaviour. How he manages to pretend that what I said didn't matter and how he thinks that we're still friends. Or how he's amused by my action when there's really nothing funny about it.

The anger disappears as a thought slowly drifts into my mind. I can use this to my advantage if I play my cards right.

"I know," I say to Spencer's earlier statement, "But I need your help on something."

Spencer raises his brows at me before turning to Utah.

"Set a few more traps along the perimeter but don't wander too far. If you hear or see an animal, don't take your chances- leave as subtly as you can."

Utah nods and begins to walk away from us, almost looking disappointed.

"That isn't very professional."

Spencer doesn't say anything- just shrugs at me. We begin to head in the opposite direction of where Utah went.

"What do you need help with?"