Red Zone (Red Zone 1)

“Wait.” She put a hand on his arm to stop him. “You said you’ve taken other people through here before me. If that’s the case, why doesn’t anyone know about the paths through the mist?”

“Chère.” His voice was back to that irresistible southern drawl that made her shiver. “I know you’re stalling, but you ain’t ever gonna be ready to go in there, no matter how long you give yourself.”

“No.” She blinked several times. “I want to know. It’s important.” Had the other people he’d taken through died? Is that why no one knew about the paths, because no one had lived to talk about it?

“Well, seeing as it’s important. Usually we knock our customers out before we take them through the mist.”

“What?” She could have been unconscious? That was an option? Now he told her. “Don’t they have to stay awake to ensure they don’t touch the mist?”

He shrugged. “I get paid up front. Doesn’t matter to me what condition they’re in at the other side.”

She felt bile rise to her mouth at his nonchalant answer.

“You about ready to go now? I mean, it’s your life we’re literally wasting while you stand here analyzing everything, but I’m happy to hang around until your curiosity is satisfied before we get on with this.”

Now he was just irritating her. “I prefer your anger to your sarcasm.”

“Good to know. How about you get to your knees and follow me into the Red Zone. If you’re finished with your questions, that is.”

“Yes. I’m finished.”

“Fantastic. I’m thrilled.” He gave her one last pointed look. “Don’t screw up.” Then he dropped to all fours in front of the gateway into the mist.

With a shaky breath, Friday did the same. Her own shallow breaths were loud within the confines of the helmet. Sweat trickled down her brow and into her eyes, and she wished it were possible to brush it away. Her movements were awkward and stiff, restricted by the suit. Her heart pounded hard and fast, making her fear she would have a heart attack. Somewhere in the back of her mind that never stopped, she wondered if an increased rate of blood flow would speed up the activation of the poison in her system and cause her limited lifespan to end even earlier than she’d predicted.

“I can hear you thinking.” The voice in her ear was reassuring, and she realized that since she’d met the man, she’d spoken to him more over helmet comms than in person.

“I can’t help it,” she said through gritted teeth.

“I know, bébé. I know. Now let’s play follow the leader.” With that, the crazy man crawled straight into the deadliest area on earth.

Chapter Twelve

Friday didn’t look up from the soles of the feet in front of her. Not once. Her terror at the thought of moving even an inch off the path he’d designated kept her mind firmly on the man in front of her.

“You doing okay back there?” Striker didn’t sound stressed or bothered by their dangerous journey.

“Fine,” was all she could manage to say.

Sweat poured off her body, pooling in the low points of her suit. She was sticky, hot, and the air was oppressive. She had to keep reminding herself that she could breathe and that her circumstances wouldn’t last forever. It was a fight to keep her mind from wandering. The red glow, caused by the light from their suits bouncing off the mist, made her want to turn and look into the cloud. Questions. She had so many questions. There were few people on the planet who had managed to get this close to the red cloud. Her scientist’s brain wanted to study it and find answers to the mysteries it held.

“Don’t get distracted.” The words made her already-warm face blush.

“Trust me, the last thing I want to do in here is get distracted.” Although it was increasingly difficult not to let her mind wander.

“You might not want to, but that big brain of yours must be buzzing by now. I’m surprised you aren’t asking about a million questions.”

It amazed her to hear amusement in his tone. “I’m trying not to die.”

“Yeah, that will focus a person.”

They carried on. Her head bent, her eyes firmly fixed on the ground beneath her and the man in front of her.

“Okay,” he said. “You can stand now.”

She was still afraid to move. “Can I put my head up?”

“Chère, you have to, if you want to stand.” There was a grin in his voice.