Camp

LAKE

The walk is nothing to laugh about. The terrain is slippery, and there are a lot of jagged rocks sticking out from the ground.

I struggle against the ropes around my arms and the one wrapped around my neck. It’s tightened from the leader’s constant tugging and pulling.

The men who follow him surround me as if I’m going to attack. I don’t blame them. As soon as I’m free from these ropes, there will be hell to pay.

“Behave, and I’ll let you off the ropes, Firefly.” The leader ruffles my hair lightly.

I growl in irritation. My forearms are bound to my biceps before we go through a wall of thick vines and branches. I swear this guy has a Christian Grey complex.

“Alpha.” Many people pass us and bow briefly. They give me a glance before going back to what they were doing. Males especially linger on my naked body.

This place is very different from the other parts of the forest. The trees are much taller and thicker, while the grass is tougher as well.

Long vines carry boxes of supplies up and down the trees. There is no snow or coldness. It’s oddly warm.

There’s a system of ladders, decks, and lookout posts dotted throughout the treetops. Bulky men look down at me with assault rifles at the ready in case I squash their precious excuse for an alpha.

“Derrick!” A female voice shouts. “You’re late!” The man reacts to the name. ~So that’s his name.~ Something hits Derrick’s face and lands on the ground. ~A flip-flop?~

~

“Oh, how I missed you too, my dear sister.”

A woman about my height with braided black hair comes through the crowd of rushing people.

Her skin is porcelain, and scars are scattered across her bare arms. She’s wearing a black tank top with army pants. Her shoes match the tank top.

“What took you—” The woman’s eyes widen as she looks behind Derrick and straight at me. “Who’s this?”

“I call her Firefly.” Derrick pulls the rope lightly. I reluctantly walk forward and just look at the woman. “Firefly, this is my sister, Lucy.”

Lucy looks at me head to toe and smacks her brother on the head. “She’s bare naked and bound like this? What are you? A barbarian?”

“That hurt!” Derrick rubs his head. “And I had no choice! She injured my men and took out six!”

“Did you corner her?”

Derrick opens his mouth to retaliate but closes it as the truth hits him. If they’d just left me alone, none of this would’ve happened. I would be enjoying my solitude.

Lucy smacks her brother one more time and takes the rope from him. She tugs lightly, gesturing for me to follow her.

“Don’t worry,” she says. “I’m only going to dress your wounds and give you some clothes.”

Lucy takes me to a tent and ignores her brother’s protests behind us. I immediately look for a way to escape.

Guards stand outside the front, so I could easily take Lucy out and slip through the back. But I have no idea where to go from here.

“Here.” Lucy interrupts my thoughts as she cuts the ropes from my arms and neck. “My brother may see you as dangerous, but I don’t. Other than Firefly, what can I call you?”

I rub my wrists and hiss at the rope burns on my arms. Lucy orders one of the guards to find me some clothes while she prepares a bath.

“My name is Lake,” I say flatly. Lucy raises an eyebrow as the water flows from a pipe that comes into the tent from outside.

“That’s an odd name.” She feels the water and dries her hand with a cloth. The tub is wooden and looks like something out of a medieval movie. “Got a last name?”

Memories of my family flash through my mind. I shake them back and shrug at the question. “Does having a last name really matter out here?”

“I guess not,” Lucy giggles. “Well, Lake, the water is warm enough for you. There are towels over there. Your clothes should be here soon.”

Before I say anything, I’m left to my own devices.

I take this opportunity to scope out an escape route. The tent has a tiny slit opening behind its wooden support beam. The fabric is too thick for me to pry it open myself.

I quietly shuffle through the assortment of brushes and combs on a nearby table.

I finally find a comb with a metal handle attachment. It seems to be a razor for men to shave their beard, but it’s worth a try.

I begin sawing at the opening with the now apparently dull blade. It’s slow, but it’s getting bigger and bigger.

Just as the cut gets big enough for me to squeeze through, I’m grabbed roughly from behind.

A hand snatches the blade from me as another is cupped around my mouth. My body is pinned to the rug beneath me.

A guard from outside is staring at me, wide-eyed. His eyes are hungry, and drool runs down his chin.

I struggle against him as his mouth clasps over my breast. Lynne is too tired and panicked to give me the strength needed to fend off the attacker.

Just as the guard moves lower, his hand moves with him.

I seize the opportunity to extend my canines and clamp down on his hand. He cries out in pain and rolls off me.

I struggle to my feet, and the guard quickly trips me. I grab the tub, and the hot water splashes over both of us.

I whimper as the liquid stings my arms and neck. My palms hiss with pain as well. Everything stings or aches.

“What’s going on in here?!” Derrick storms into the tent and takes in the scene. His eyes shift between me and my attacker.

His nostrils flare, and the dark black in his eyes bleed into pools of red.