9

Chapter 9

Anya

I think I was getting on Dai’s nerves, but I was doing my best. She could move with stealthy silence, as though she was floating over all the obstacles in her path despite our rapid pace. Whereas I seemed to find every single one of them and crashed through the jungle with enough noise to attract every hunter in our vicinity. I was frankly amazed she hadn’t ditched me yet, though I appreciated her allowing me to keep tagging along despite slowing her down.

She paused for a moment, leaning against a tree to open her backpack. I took advantage of the moment to collapse onto a log nearby. It felt spongy and weak under my butt, but it didn’t crack with me.

My hands were shaking as I opened the backpack, and that was pure exertion. I was already worn out, though we’d only been at this a little more than an hour. I had no clue how I was going to make it through the whole weekend if I somehow managed to avoid one of the hunters. If I didn’t, there was little doubt how I’d make