CHAPTER 10- A DEATH TRAP
1075 Words
ELLIOTT’S POV
I swallowed hard. Elder Gideon was staring right at me.
“Elliott, was it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Pair up with Alex.”
“Me?” I pointed at myself.
His scarred face hardened. “Do we have another Elliott?”
Swiftly, I moved to Alex’s side, my gaze on the ground, standing a few meters from him.
The crowd muffled laughter, and I heard someone beside me say, “This year’s hunting game is going to be fun.”
“Too bad he got tagged with Alex.”
Roy sent me a sorry look. I still had no idea what this hunting game was about.
Alex wasn’t helping either—he turned his face away.
My heart raced whenever my eyes met Elder Gideon’s. He stared at me with such intensity it made my chest tighten.
The suspect in the death of my father. A face with murder behind it.
Everyone got paired in twos. The black bands were grouped in five, then the red bands also in five. Everyone stood in a straight line facing the thick woods we were about to enter.
Elder Gideon was at it again—staring—not at me this time, but at Alex.
But Alex didn’t seem to notice. His stare was more intensified, like…
“BEGIN!”
The drum was struck hard and loud. Everyone began running into the woods.
I stood petrified, watching. Alex wasn’t moving either.
I walked to him and tugged his shirt. He shot me a look, and I quickly let go.
“Is he behind again?” the students laughed as they ran into the woods. At this rate, we were bound to fail, and whatever punishment Roy talked about was definitely coming.
When every student was already inside, their loud screams of their catches could be heard.
Alex finally started walking into the woods. I quickly followed behind.
Deep inside, I wanted to strangle him if I could. I don’t know if it’s pride or just nonchalance—he acts like he doesn’t care about the damn world.
I bit my lower lip, staring at his back. He should be grateful I’m undercover.
I breathed in and raised my head—he was looking directly at me. Startled, I almost stumbled.
He threw the bow at me and scoffed as I scrambled to catch it. My wig bent to one side, almost slipping. Quickly, I straightened it.
Alex was still staring.
Did he grab on to anything? My shifted wig didn't reveal anything right?
Then he said, “Walk fast. We need to catch something before sunset.”
WE???
“Who was the one delaying us earlier?” I didn’t realize I said it aloud.
But Alex didn’t wait. By the time I picked up the arrows, he was already deep inside.
I couldn’t find him.
“Tch.” My fist clenched, knuckles whitening.
The sun was actually setting. I’d heard of lost wolf ghosts that lurked in the woods—restless, soul-hungry wolves.
“Alex,” I called. “Where the hell did he go?” I muttered, looking around, confused.
Just then, I heard leaves rustle behind me. “Alex?” I turned quickly.
But instead, it was a massive boar charging straight at me.
My eyes widened. The bow slipped from my hand. My scream tore out so loud I felt I might lose my voice.
My heart thumped violently as I shut my eyes. My legs refused to move. I could literally hear my heartbeat.
But then—just then—I felt my body lifted.
When I opened my eyes, Alex was clinging to a rope, swinging us to the other side before landing.
My eyes clung to his face like glue, still in shock, reeling over how fast he stepped in.
“Stop staring. If you can’t do anything, stay back.”
Oh moon goddess—his voice.
He let go of me, and that’s when I realized he’d been holding my waist. My cheeks heated instantly.
Who does he think he is—thinking I’m just a good-for-nothing?
I flexed my jaw, retied my band tightly, slid over to where I dropped the bow earlier, grabbed it, and turned toward the boar chasing Alex.
Its size was twice an ordinary wolf. Alex kept taking it around the trees—I figured he was trying to wear it out before taking it down when its strength weakened.
I smirked as I stretched the bowstring, fixing the arrow in place, my eyes locked on the boar, waiting for the perfect moment.
Alex was now coming closer to me.
“What the hell is he doing?” I muttered, panic surging.
The boar was behind him—not a clear view for me to release the arrow with Alex in front.
He wasn’t a good-for-nothing after all.
The Alex I was staring at—coming toward me with that hardened look yet still breathtakingly handsome—I didn’t even realize he’d reached me until he jumped over me, placed his hands over mine, pulled the string, and released the arrow just before the boar collided with me.
“Alex…” His name slipped out. I could feel his hot breath against my neck, his silent pants, his cold hands still gripping mine.
The bell rang through the woods—signaling the end of the game.
Alex let go instantly.
He untied his band and walked in front of me.
“The game has ended. We should take the kill back to school, right?”
He said nothing and only grabbed my arm.
“Ouch.” I winced. That’s when I noticed a scratch—the boar must’ve clipped me earlier before Alex saved me.
“Stay still,” he said coldly.
What the hell is he doing now?!
I snatched my arm away, giving him a weird look. He grabbed it again—tighter—right on the injured spot.
It hurt badly because it was still healing.
“What are you doing?” I cried, trying to pull away, but that only made him tighten his grip.
“Stop, it hurts! What’s wrong with you?”
He pushed me toward a tree, making my back lean against it.
“Alex, stop!”
Pain flooded through my arm.
“Who are you?”
He asked, eyes locked on me, his tone cold—and worse—his eyes were turning golden.
- Writer
