Chapter Eight

The world comes back slowly. At first, I see only bits of light, but then the pain invades, stabbing at my legs, creeping up my arms, and rattling in my chest. 

Finally, the world is back in semi-focus, and then confusion sets in. The events of the day rush back in full ferocity. 

Bella was gone, Jadyn had knocked me off a cliff. 

The game was on.

I began to pull myself up slowly and painfully. Forcefully, I was pushed back down.

"Don't move," Shouted a commanding female voice. 

I looked up and saw that above me stood an indignant-looking girl, with long black hair and tanned skin, her face twisted in anger. Fierce, dark brown eyes studied me intently.

"I knew you'd come one day," She growled "Jadyn." 

Jadyn? I was confused. It was hard to think. My head was spinning.

"I'm not Jadyn?" I offered. My voice broke as I spoke. 

She studied me, staring at my face. I broke eye contact and noticed the dagger she held. It was beaded and quite beautiful. It was also pointed at me.

"You can't fool me."

"I don't have a glowing eye,"I groaned, "And if I was Jadyn you would already be dead." 

She hesitated. "You don't sound like Jadyn either, but if you're not Jadyn, then who the hell are you?" 

I groaned again. "Not Jadyn," My limbs hurt, everything hurt, still I felt annoyance, "But he did come this way, if you are so desperate to be killed by him." 

She was in my face again, "Where is he?" She demanded.

I smiled at the dagger, "Are you gonna stab him with that jewelry?" 

She huffed blowing strands of hair out of her face, "How do you know Jadyn?" 

"Very well," I said. 

"I asked how you knew him, idiot," Her anger faded turning to concern, she studied me closely. "You're bleeding," She flinched, "A lot."

I realized then I was in no shape to move myself. I needed help, even if I didn't want to admit it. 

"Are you awake?" She said, nudging me, "What happened to you?" 

"I just fell down the cliff I think," I said.

She rolled her eyes, "Obvisouly," She knelt down next to me, "But you saw Jadyn, right?" 

"He pushed me," I said quietly.

Her eyes widened in shock, "You fought him?" 

She looked excited now. 

"Yes, he's really strong," I groaned, I felt a tear run down my face. Bella's face filled my mind. 

She nodded vigorously. Then she stood up, and I realized how tall she was. My vision was blurred, so her face was a bit out of focus. 

"Can you stand?" She asked quickly. I began to pull myself up but had to stop. The world was blinking in warning. Feeling sick and in pain, I shook my head. 

She tried to help me stand but I couldn't even make it one step without falling to the ground again.

She sighed heavily, "Well. I guess I'm gonna have to carry you," She looked over her shoulder toward something I couldn't see, "My shelter isn't far away."