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“Where is she?” Jason croaked

“Went for a swim, I’m afraid After I cut her little throat open a fewquestions no more”

Grief shot through Ben like a snakebite, poison in his veins, and Jason staggered beside him

“No!” Jason cried out “No You’re lying!”

“Why kill her now? You took her so you’d have a hostage when the police closed in” Ben glanced around as if there’d be glaring evidence that Broas lying He had to be lying Had to be His throat burned with eine Jason’s horror

Harlan shrugged, spitting carelessly on the ground “More trouble than she orth after a while Slowing me down And shit, theJason with a sneer “Should have taught that little bitch some manners”

Rage burned through Ben, and he pulled the trigger before he could think twice, clipping Harlan in the shoulder as the man dove behind the lean-to Ben hauled Jason behind him and crouched

Now the only thing that separated them from Broas splintered wood and bark Ben dared a look around the side by the river There was no sign of Brown, but he did see a deflating raft

“Looks like your boat sprung a leak, Harlan”

Aside fro He waited, then dared another look, this time around the other side of the dilapidated structure Fifty yards away, Brown disappeared into the forest Ben sucked in a breath, but kept the rifle at his shoulder, eyes scanning the trees As erous to take on, and Ben was happy to leave him to the authorities

The minutes ticked by with no movement Birds chirped faintly over the rush of the river A chip his rifle in that direction until he saw the flash of white-striped tail The forest went quiet again in the gray murk

Beside him, Jason stared blankly, his eyes unfocused Ben scanned the area again before slowly lowering his rifle Broould surely have gotten as far away as possible It was just Ben and Jason now

“Jason…” Ben’s voice sounded hoarse and distant to his own ears “I’m so sorry”

“She can’t be gone It can’t be true I…” Jason blinked, opening and closing his mouth A wail escaped him “I can’t”

Then he collapsed in on hi forward as sobs racked his sli his own tears There were no words to make it better Ben had failed, and all he could do rap Jason in his arms and pray for a miracle