He leans his temple against mine. “I…could be there for you. Help you.”
My throat is suddenly hot and dry, and I feel my heart rate all the way down in my lower abdomen.
He chuckles—nervously, I think—and he runs his fingers across my collarbone.
I stiffen, unsure what he’s doing, but not wanting him to stop. “I hardly know you, Nicholas.” I bite my lip.
He knits his fingers through my hair, gently tugging at my neck, and his gaze lowers to my mouth. His breath trembles and then he presses his mouth gently to mine. The scratchy coats rub against the bare skin on my back and his kiss is silky and wet and soft. Pulling back, our noses still touching, he pauses as if waiting for my reaction. Wanting him to kiss me again, I nod my head, encouraging him, my knees feeling as weak as they did back before I jumped off Devil’s Cliff. My hands find their way around his waist, beneath his coat and I pull him closer so our bodies press against each other. I don’t know what I’m doing, but it feels so good to have him this close—to taste his minty lips. When he swivels me around and pins me against the wall, I think I could stay with him forever. I could accept.
He kisses my neck and my chin and our lips find each other again. This time, I feel it all the way down in my toes, and it’s a little scary how my body screams to be even nearer to him. His fingers trail down my spine and I arch my back and lean my head onto the wall behind me. I don’t understand this force that is so strong, making me want to give up everything to be with him, making me forget all the cruelness I have suffered at the hands of other men.
But I can’t.
“Nicholas,” I say, turning away from his lips, my body cursing me—me needing him.
He breathes deeply and leans his head against my bare shoulder. “Heidi.”
I press my lips together, wanting to say that I need him, but I’m too afraid to be this vulnerable, to need someone. And to admit it.
“Just think about the offer,” he whispers. “I know you’ve been hurt, but I promise I will never hurt you.”
How can he promise this, the son of the man who wants me dead? “I can’t do it, Nicholas. I can’t betray Gemma again.”
He lifts his chin and gazes into my eyes. “Then how can I help?”
“Don’t ask me to abandon Gemma.”
He squints his eyes. “Fine.”
“We should probably go.”
He nods and stands aside so I can pass. It takes everything in my power not to pull him in again and keep kissing him, to explore him in ways I have never explored a man, but Gemma is the one who truly needs me. I walk past him, his fist clenched, his jaw tense. I open the door.
Mai gives me a baffled look when I step out of the closet, but quickly reverts back to her stern self. “Ready?”
“Ready,” I say, trying to cover up my flushed cheeks and pounding heart.
Chapter 23
I walk with Mai down the stairwell and pause about three-quarters of the way down. One of the reporters notices us, and within moments, they’re snapping pictures and elbowing past others for a better spot.
“Is it true that you are Heidi Cruise?”
“It is.”
A gasp goes through the room, followed shortly after by sudden bursts of clamor.
“There will be no interviews,” Mai says. “Now, if you would be so gracious, please let us pass so we may get to our dinner.”
The reporters don’t budge so instead, Mai takes my hand and leads me upstairs. “There’s another way to get into the ballroom.” We climb the stairs and take the long, red and gold hallway to the other side of the building. Riding the elevator down, it brings us back to the main floor and into the foyer just outside of the ballroom. A large sign reads:
No reporters allowed beyond this point.
I sigh in relief.
To my great dismay, the first person I see when I enter the ballroom is Johnny. He’s sitting at a round table with four benefactors, looking pissed off at the world. I’m not sure whether his sour expression is because he’s upset at something particular or just because, well, that’s pretty much his usual expression. The tall windows on either side of the long, rectangular room have bright red curtains, and the walls and ceiling are adorned with gold wooden carvings.
When Johnny sees me, his eyes grow even more contemptuous; he probably thought I was a goner and that he didn’t have to deal with this crap. The people sitting next to him aren’t even engaging him in conversation, which tells me he’s not very popular among the benefactors anymore. Not that I think they know that he was the one who shot me down, but I’m sure he’s been revealing his true colors, turning benefactors off. I have to suppress a victorious smile. But then I change my mind and walk over to him and smile.
“Long time no see,” I say. The room goes silent and I feel hundreds of eyes and ears on me. Has word reached here about who I am?
Johnny rises to his feet. “No hard feelings?”
“None at all.” I coil my hand into a fist and sock him as hard as I can across the face. Being the gorilla he is, he doesn’t move much, but it feels good to hit him. Never mind that my hand hurts like crazy.
He steps into my face. “I’m not going to hit you here, but don’t think that I’ll ever forget what you just did to me. Just wait until phase three. I’ve something special planned for you.”
I swallow hard, but before I can formulate a retort, Nicholas comes up next to me and grabs my arm. “Let’s find our seats, shall we?”
“I know you two are an item. Don’t expect me to go easy on her out there just because she’s a girl,” Johnny says.
“You touch her, and I’ll make sure you never receive your status as a Master,” Nicholas says.
The right side of Johnny’s lip rises and he smiles at me like he knows something. I come with Nicholas and as we’re walking over to our table, he says, “I don’t like his smile. Just stay away from him.”
“I’ll manage him, don’t worry.”
Nicholas glances at me like he wants to kill me, but he doesn’t respond. Walking through the room, I notice how few contestants are left. I search for the participants from Culmination, but can only locate Danny—he’s easy to spot with the eagle tattoo at the back of his head—and Timothy as I walk by him saying “Dude.”
We arrive at a table where Mai and Arthor sit with six other benefactors.
“I’m sitting somewhere else,” Nicholas whispers into my ear before he takes off.
The moment I sit down, the benefactors swarm me with questions. I answer as best I can and as truthfully as I can. Of course I hope I will make it, and I feel much better than I did the same time yesterday.” They laugh and coo at my replies.
After eating filet mignon, mashed potatoes and squash medley, President Volkov takes the stage. I wonder if he smears his head with Vaseline, it’s so shiny.
“Dearly beloved friends,” he says. “We have all seen the way the Savage Run has changed in the past few days. Acts of bravery have abounded, acts of selfishness and ill will have emerged, and illegal acts have been exposed.” The gathering laughs. “But more than anything, we have all grown to love the most popular participant we have. The only one who dared risk his life for another. Namely, Cory Cunningham.”
Mai and Arthor glance at me simultaneously. Not that I think Cory doesn’t deserve to be highlighted, but I suspect Cory’s honorable mention has more to do with President Volkov’s desire to diminish any attention I might garner than with celebrating brave participants. I don’t care. I look for Nicholas and find him sitting just two tables away from me with Timothy. I haven’t been able to locate Abe or Fletcher, making me think that they died or dropped out of the program. Or maybe they didn’t make it in the top fifty percent. Whatever happened to them, it only leaves us five remaining.
President Volkov continues, “Cory’s bravery and valor in the Savage Run has caught our eyes. A friend to all, a saint to some, his heroism is something that cannot be bottled and sold on the In
ternet. And that such a young man would so willingly risk his life so others, who are participating in this program, is beyond me.”
I glance over at Arthor, who is the real hero in my eyes. I don’t know what heroic feats, Cory has done, if any, but Arthor’s been a true friend indeed and without him, I would not be sitting here today. Arthor gazes at me with no look of disappointment in his eyes, no look saying he should be the one highlighted today for his valiant deeds.
“You’re my hero,” I whisper, reaching across the table and squeezing his hand.
Arthor gets teary-eyed.
When I look at Nicholas, he quickly looks down his face sunken. I don’t know what to do with my growing feelings for him. I want to stuff them away because I’m afraid I might get hurt if I open up to him.
President Volkov continues talking about the highlights of phase two and even has Cory stand up in his seat when he reviews the events of the bike ride across burning beams. Even though biking would probably have been my best obstacle, I’m glad I didn’t have to bike across burning beams.
“That kind of bravery, Cory, is what this program is all about,” President Volkov says. “Now, please come here, Cory, to receive a medal for your bravery and valor.”
“I saw the whole damn thing,” the old man with yellow teeth says. “He just helped someone patch up his tire. The greatest act of bravery I saw was between you two in phase one.” His disheveled, gray hair, makes me think that he is or used to be a Laborer, but there’s no way he could be a Class-3 citizen and attending this event.
“Thank you,” I say.
After dinner, everyone scatters to different places, and I’m left alone with the old guy at the table. Out of nowhere, Johnny appears. “May I have this dance?”
“Uh…” I look around the room for Nicholas, but don’t see him. But being here in a crowded room, I must be safe—the safest I’ll ever be around Johnny. And I’m curious to find out why he asked me to dance. Besides, keep your friends close, your enemies…I stretch out my hand. “Sure.”
Once we’re on the dance floor, he takes my right hand in his left and reaches around my waist. I force my lips to remain pleasant.
“Trying to get Pres. to end your life early?”
“What?”
“The dress.”
“Oh. I thought it would be fitting.”
“Well, it sure had him squirming when I brought it up to him.”
“How thoughtful of you to mention me.”
“Of course. Hey, listen. I’m sorry about ratting you out.”
“And shooting me down?”
Air hisses between his big teeth. “You saw me, huh?”
“Yes.”
“It was an order.”
“So you’re President Volkov’s mole?” I want to ask in a roundabout way if he knows or will reveal to me that he’s President Volkov’s son.
“Oh, I’m more than that. I run the show on the ground. Here’s a piece of trivia for you: do you ever wonder why I joined Savage Run?”
“No.”
“The real reason isn’t because of my sickly grandmother. The real reason is because Pres. didn’t want to see Arthor’s kind secretly get into the Savage Run and smear the honor of his masterpiece.”
“Arthor?” He leans his cheek against mine, and I angle my head away.
“He’s a disgusting breed, don’t you think?”
So he did know what he was doing on the UVC. “I don’t understand what you mean,” I feign.
“Stop lying. His unnatural inclinations just make me sick. Those kind of people deserve nothing else than to be put to death.”
“How can you say that?” I see crimson. “Just because he’s not like you?”
“So you condone his ways? Interesting. I live to serve the laws of the land. I live to see justice done. And I will fulfill my duty in putting Arthor in his rightful place.”
“You’re planning to kill him?”
He nods slowly. “Before the first round started, Pres. cut me a deal. We can’t have gays in the Savage Run, and we especially can’t have a gay guy winning his freedom.” He scoffs. “Pres. told me to get rid of Arthor and make it look like a natural occurrence. Problem was, you two started hanging around like turtledoves and I couldn’t get to him. The kill needed to be clean and not cause suspicion. But then I found out you were a girl…and, that Pres. wants you dead, too. It will be a very interesting third phase.”
Suddenly Nicholas’s plan doesn’t sound so bad. I’ll trust the Konders any day over Johnny. If President Volkov still wants me dead…I’ll never have my freedom even if I do make it to the end. Even if I place first. So what’s the use in continuing? Unless…we can put enough pressure on President Volkov and get all his benefactors to withdraw completely in the event I’m killed.
“Heidi,” I hear Nicholas’s voice behind me.
“She wanted to dance with me,” Johnny says, letting go of me.
“I’m fine, but I’m done.” Johnny and I stare at each other for a moment and then Nicholas and I leave the dance floor. “We need to talk.”
* * *
After I tell Nicholas what Johnny shared with me, he recruits Mai to round up Timothy, Arthor, and Danny, and then he has the chauffeur drive us back to Volkov Village. Johnny included.
We pretend to go into our rooms, but once Johnny is locked up, and we’re dressed back in our Savage Run outfits, Mai brings Timothy, Arthor, Danny, and me back to Nicholas’s townhome.
Nicholas crams us around his small, round kitchen table. He remains standing and asks me to share with them what Johnny told me, down to the minute details.
“Now don’t think Johnny will stop at just these two,” Nicholas points to Arthor and me. “He’ll do whatever it takes to take first place. All of your lives are in danger—more so than just from the obstacles. I know it’s a lot to ask, but we need to find a way in which we can protect you from Johnny. On my end, I’m going to talk with the Konders’ and the other benefactors, to put pressure on President Volkov so he won’t meddle with the obstacles.”
“What makes you think he’ll do that?” Timothy asks.
“I know my father, and he has his reasons, believe me.” He glances at me briefly.
Of course, wouldn’t President Volkov be excited to announce to the world that his “lost” son has finally returned, and not only that, that he won the entire race on his own merits. Nicholas has far more to fear than anyone can fathom.
Timothy’s the first one to speak. “Dude, I…I don’t have time to mess with this kind of stuff. I just came so I could be free. And no offense, man…” He looks at Arthor. “But I just can’t handle being around gays. You creep me out.”
“How can you say that?” I blurt out.
Nicholas places his hand on my shoulder. “Timothy. Just know that Johnny will be hunting you, too.”
“I know how to avoid him.”
“Danny?” Nicholas says.
“Timothy, you’re an idiot,” Danny says. “I’m in.”
“Dude, don’t hate me. I’m just being honest.”
“An honest jerk—what a relief,” Mai says.
“Can you just take me to my room so I can go to bed?” No one answers. “Please.”
“Just one more minute,” Nicholas says. “I can’t provide you with any weapons—the Unifers would find out and you’d be disqualified—but just being aware of the fact that Johnny is after you will help you tremendously. I will also speak to a few other young men in the Savage Run—guys I trust—and they’ll be looking out for you as well. If you can just survive the next phase, you’ll be out of the thickest. Though I’m warning you, especially Arthor and Heidi, President Volkov may have other things up his sleeves.”
“Like what?” Arthor asks.
“He knows about you. Most likely, he won’t grant you your freedom.”
I take Arthor’s hand. “Do you still want to continue?”
He thinks for a moment. “If I go back home, it won’t
be any better. At least here I have a chance to…” He pulls his hand away from mine and crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“To what?” I ask softly.
“I don’t know.”
I don’t want to say it, and he doesn’t seem to either, but no matter what he chooses to do, he’s going to be seen as a freak of nature, a misfit, and a diseased human being. It’s the way I first reacted. It’s the way our society has conditioned us to think. And what’s so sad, is that there’s no way he can win here or at home.
“I just really want to win this so I can prove to everyone…” Arthor says.
Mai slams her fist in the table. Everyone jumps—Nicholas included. “This kind of ‘poor me’ attitude will get you all killed! ‘I just really want to win.’ Arthor.” She shoots him a glance, her voice mocking. “Every single contestant who registered for this program wanted to win. But that doesn’t mean they will.” She stands up and starts to pace. “You have two choices, guys. One: Feel sorry for yourselves and go in tomorrow with a demeanor that reeks of weakness. Two: Stop your whining and claim your freedom.”
For a moment, the room goes silent.
Mai says, “You’re making this about gender, about sexual orientation? Forget about all that crap; your lives are on the line here!”
“She’s right, guys—Heidi,” Nicholas says. “If you want to win, you need to give up all the reasons why you think you’ll lose. If you stay together, you should make it.”
“Now, it’s late and you need your rest,” Mai concludes.
Mai and Nicholas escort us back to our rooms. I lie down on the wooden bed and stare into the ceiling as I try to go to sleep. Should I have taken Nicholas up on his offer? It would be nice to have someone take care of me for a change. But I don’t know him well enough to trust him, do I? It’s not like I have a good example to compare him to. Take my father, for example. I’m sure he treated my mother the same way he treated me, and that’s why she left. The woman who carried me for nine months and left me to be raised by a man who cares for no one but himself. The woman I’ve learned to both yearn for and despise in the quiet moments. She gifted me the most important thing I own—my life—but left without giving me a clue as to who she was or of a way to help me navigate my existence.
Savage Run Page 22
