Page 169 of Stay Scared

I look at it.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was about to ask whether you can feel your fingers.”

“Yeah. All of them.”

“Convincing.”

He glares at me.

I crouch and test the rope beneath my boot. It sits low enough to catch against the sole without tripping me.

Cade watches my foot cross it. His weight shifts forward one step before he catches himself.

The barrier lever sits beside his thigh. He grips it.

I step back over the rope toward him. “See that?”

“I saw it.”

“You waited.”

“Barely managed it.”

“Tonight it counts.”

Cade looks through the false exit toward the black maze. “If he touches you before the rope, I’m going to want to move.”

“That’s why you’re behind the barrier.”

“If he hurts you, I probably will.”

“Then look at me first.”

“I’ll try.”

That is more believable than another perfect promise.

I touch his wrist once. Cade’s fingers twitch toward mine.

I move away before he closes them.

Owen starts the first reel. The motor catches. Film begins moving behind the observation glass.

He looks toward the dark section where I will disappear. His mouth tightens.

“You lose visual coverage around the first bend.”

“I’m aware.”

“Audio will still carry.”

“Good.”