Guardian by Emmy Chandler

Author:Emmy Chandler [Chandler, Emmy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emerson Ink
Published: 2018-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

13

AUDRA

I stare down into the ditch, frowning. The dried corn is gone, but we’ve caught nothing. The same thing happened last week, and the week before that. I’m starting to think Tyson is playing a prank on me with this damn ditch. I don’t understand how it could possibly work or what it’s supposed to catch. But I reach into my pocket for more dried corn anyway, and my mind begins to wander as I sprinkle it on the ground.

The past three weeks have been more bearable than I would have thought possible in Settlement A. Tyson is actually a nice guy, when I can get him talking, and even when I can’t, he’s a quiet grouch. And—true to his word—he hasn’t touched Maci. But our time with him is almost up. Next week, Jaime will make us pick someone else, and I’m far from confident that any of the other men will be willing or able to take both me and Maci.

Or that I’ll be able to keep the next guy off of her.

When I’ve “reset” the trap by trailing dried corn into the narrow end of the ditch, I pick up my new spear and turn to head back toward the stream. I can hear Maci’s laughter over the gurgle of the water, and the sound brings me out of my own head. She and Tyson are close enough that I feel safe checking this trap on my own.

Until I turn around and see the silhouette of a man watching me from behind a nearby tree.

When he realizes he’s been seen, he steps into the light pouring from a gap in the crimson foliage overhead. I recognize him, and I know that he’s much more dangerous than a name like Darren would suggest.

He isn’t as tall as Tyson, nor is he as broad. But he’s still big and strong, and the malice shining in his eyes tells me there’s an edge of cruelty in every move he makes. His knuckles are still broken open and bloody from his latest fight, but there isn’t a single mark on his face. Because his opponent didn’t even get one blow in. But that didn’t stop Darren from breaking the man’s jaw and kicking his ribs in.

He could probably take a woman if he wanted one. Instead, he seems to enjoy stalking them.

I’ve seen Darren watching me in the settlement, as we go back and forth between our dormitory and the supply drops or the woods. I’ve even seen him here in the forest a couple of times, pretending to gather branches for fuel, while his gaze follows my every movement.

He’s waiting for me to wander away from Tyson. And he’s not the only one.

No one has challenged Tyson, and I don’t think anyone will. One-on-one, no one can beat him. But several of the men obviously know I won’t pick them next week, and they seem willing to take a beating if they can get me away from Tyson long enough to tear my clothes off and pin me down first.

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