Secrets and Scars: A Gripping Psychological Thriller (Fatal Hearts Series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to crack my chest open.
    When we took a look to see how far up we had climbed, my heart shot to my throat.
    Alvin stood at the bottom of the slope, preparing to climb up after us. A sickening grin split his face as though he had already won.
    “Damn.” Owen clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. “He just doesn’t quit, does he?”
    “Owen, be smart. If you don’t want me to kill you both, throw my bitch down.” Alvin lifted his hands up in the air, ready to catch me. “She’s not worth risking your life for.”
    “Fuck you.” Owen picked up a rock and threw it down at Alvin. It missed.
    “You’re a lousy shot.” Alvin gazed down at the rock. He laughed. “How will you make it off this island alive when you can’t even aim? Watch out! I’m coming for you.” Alvin started to make his way up the slope. This time there were no boulders around us to use as weapons. Given time, he would make it unhindered to the top, using only his determination and hunger for revenge.
    “Maybe the snakes will get him.” I untied the thick rope from around my waist. “I hope there are some in the bushes around him.”
    “I wouldn’t be surprised if the snakes are afraid of him.” Owen coiled up the rope again and threw it into the bag. “Let’s not count on it. Come on.”

Chapter Ten
     
    “I’m so sorry, Chloe. We have to stop.” Owen turned to me. His face had reddened.
    “Why? What’s going on?” I looked back at where we had come from, then back at Owen.
    “Don’t worry, Alvin can’t be that close. It’s been a while since we left him behind.”
    He sank onto a stump and groaned. He looked exhausted. I couldn’t blame him. The climb up the slope had to have taken a lot of energy, and one could only remain strong for so long.
    “We have a problem. I think I sprained my ankle.” He removed his boot, his face folding with pain.
    “Oh God.” I knelt beside him, tiny rocks digging into my knees. “Does it hurt badly?” I tried to touch his ankle because I had no idea what else to do, but he pushed my hands away gently.
    He squinted against the late afternoon sun as he looked up into my face. “Don’t worry about me. This is nothing compared to what you must have gone through.”
    I ignored his remark. This whole time it had been all about me. Now he was hurt. Priority had to shift to him. “Can I do something for you?”
    He shook his head, prodding his fingers around the injured area. There was evident swelling. “No. But we have to find a proper place to hide.” He looked at me again, his blue eyes a shade darker. “I’m so sorry—we have no choice. I should rest my foot for a while to be on the safe side.”
    I nodded and picked up the sack. “I’ll carry this then. You need a break.”
    “No, don’t worry about it.” He took it back from me and struggled to stand up. I offered him my hand.
    “Stop trying to be brave. I’ll carry the bag.” I reached for his arm and rested it on my shoulders. “Lean on me for a change.”
    We searched for a hiding place for about half an hour, heat and exhaustion pressing us down.
    “Maybe we should just stop here and create another shelter like yesterday.”
    “Or not.” Owen pointed into the distance. “I can’t think of a better hiding place than a cave.”
    I swallowed hard. “I don’t know. Are you sure about that?” Sleeping inside the shelter of leaves and branches had been scary enough. A cave could hold any number of unknown dangers.
    “It’s our best shot. We could fool him into thinking we’re still running so he doesn’t think to look inside.”
    Goosebumps formed on my arms as we hobbled to the entrance of the nearby cave. My nose wrinkled and I recoiled at the smell that welcomed us. The stale air reeked of wet stone and decaying plants and animals.
    “Looks scary inside,” I said. “You sure we won’t find something better?”
    “Scary is good. Scary is safe. Miles might think twice about looking for us in