Page 1 of Secrets in the Deep

1

Emily Prior’s heart beat so hard it felt like it was trying to punch out of her chest. Her feet hit the uneven ground in a fast, steady rhythm, each step slamming her boots into the dirt.

Away. She had to get away.

But she wasn’t moving fast enough.

Loud, angry steps thudded behind her.

Chasing. Hunting.

She chanced a glance over her shoulder. Mistake. Big mistake. The pale blue of the mask combined with the glint of the knife caused fear to lurch in her chest and made her foot catch on a tree root.

She tripped. Her knee, already aching from an old injury, hit the ground hard, shooting pain up to her hip.

There was no time to stop though. To catch her breath or let the pain subside.

She pushed to her feet, begging her body to keep going, for her knee not to give out. Distance. That was what she needed. As much as possible between her and the masked threat.

Branches clawed at the thin material of her sweater, the forest swallowing her loud, ragged breaths. Early morning sunlight slipped between the branches, lighting just a hint of the path in front of her.

The footsteps behind grew louder.

Another glance over her shoulder.

Closer. Too close.

Panic tightened her chest, trees now feeling like they were crowding her. Suffocating.

She sped up, her left knee screaming with each step.

She veered right. Her foot slipped. She crashed to the ground hard enough to knock the air out of her. Cold earth soaked through her clothes, her knee throbbing so violently she couldn’t hold in the groan.

Suddenly, a shadow stole the small light on the ground around her. She rolled to her back, the glint of the knife the first thing she saw. The pale blue mask next.

They lifted the knife over their head and…

“Cut!”

Air hissed from Emily’s lungs as the forest came alive around her. Voices and movement. Cameras lowering and crew members changing positions.

The mask was pulled up and Faye grinned at her. “Good work. You really crashed out hard.”

Yeah, she’d crashed hardtwice, and her knee wasn’t letting her forget it. “Thanks.”

“Good energy, guys. That’s it for the morning.” Roscoe, the director, clapped his hands before looking at Faye. “You need to work on your run. None of this pansy arm shit.”

The smile dropped from Faye’s face. “I’ve been working with my PT. I thought I was?—”

“You’re not. Do better or we’re finding a stunt double.”

“Stop being a jerk and speak to her nicely, Roscoe.” Emily groaned as she pushed to her feet.

Pain. So much pain.

Herstunt double had unfortunately dropped out of the project last minute. Roscoe said he would replace her, but when that would happen, she had no idea. The person certainly wasn’t here today.

It was an effort not to limp as she crossed to the craft service table and grabbed a bottle of water.