Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty-Two

Limping—but able to bear enough weight to manage—he started to head in the same direction as the girl. Immediately, he regretted his lack of caution. His stilted steps had triggered one of the motion sensor lights that had gone dark after the girl had disappeared from sight.

What the fuck were you thinking? Since when do you make a single move without weighing the consequences of every action?

He stood still, grinding his teeth together so hard that the acrid taste of blood slid over his palette. His position had undoubtedly been given away. Another advantage lost.

Christ.

Just a moment later, though, he realized his ire was premature. The illumination worked in his favor. It allowed him to see that just ahead, a scrap of red fabric hung from the top rail of his waist-high fence. The glossy material caught the bright white light, and it was about ten feet to the left.

His prey had adjusted her trajectory. He smiled at her attempt at cleverness. Then he adjusted, too.