Page 170 of Corpse Roads
“I mean it.”
Releasing me, he ignores everyone and presses his lips against mine. I freeze, panicked, but he keeps it short and sweet.
“Sorry,” he says under his breath. “I had to do that.”
Sauntering away, Leighton ignores the death glares being sent his way from Hunter and Enzo. Theo looks more startled, and perhaps a little bit intrigued. They quickly rejoin their respective teams.
Clearing my throat, I find the others at the edge of the forest. Brooklyn double-checks my bulletproof vest, making sure the other two aren’t looking as she slides a knife into the pocket.
“Just in case.” She winks.
“Thank you.”
“Know how to use it?”
I return her small smile. “Well enough.”
“Well, alrighty then. Let’s get this show on the road. Gentlemen?”
Both checking their earpieces are online, Enzo and Hunter sandwich us between them. We set off in synchronisation with the other two teams, plunging into the silent woodland.
The moss beneath our boots swallows every footstep. Tall trees stretch up into the heavens, casting shadows across thick shrubbery, slippery rocks and layers of thicket.
After walking a little way in, I duck down to stroke my fingers over the uneven ground. The phantom pain of rocks slicing my bare feet flashes through my mind with the earthy scent of the forest.
This place is spookily familiar.
I can feel myself sprinting through it.
“Harlow?” Hunter stops by my side. “All good?”
Straightening, I tighten my grip on the backpack of medical supplies I’m carrying. It’s the lightest, and the only one that Enzo was willing to let me shoulder while my leg is still tender.
He’s further ahead, walking in lockstep with Brooklyn as they talk. She seems to be a lot closer to him than the others.
“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “This place feels familiar. I recognise the trees. They’re different from the ones back home.”
Hunter falls into step beside me. “Sitka spruce. My dad used to take us hiking when we were kids. He knows all the species.”
“Do you get on well with your dad?” I ask randomly.
Climbing up a steep incline, he offers me a hand over the wet, moss-covered rocks.
“Sometimes,” Hunter answers. “He’s always had very exacting standards. I thrive under that kind of pressure, but it was really rough on Leighton. I didn’t like that.”
“Enzo said he struggled when he was younger.”
“Leighton’s always found family hard. Our folks haven’t seen him since he left prison. It’s breaking my mum’s heart, but they can’t force him to see them.”
“Any idea why?” I clamber over a fallen branch.
“He doesn’t want to deal with their disappointment. In his mind, they hate him. In reality, my parents just want their son back. Regardless of whatever he’s done. It doesn’t matter to them.”
Enzo shouts from ahead and gestures towards a narrow path on the left. Tucking his map away, they lead the way as we follow.
“Do you think I’m a bad person for refusing to see Giana again?” I blurt out.
Hunter checks behind us before walking some more. “No, Harlow. That’s a different situation. You’re entitled to take things at your own pace. She’ll still be there when you’re ready.”