Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss(74)

“I will.” I hugged him.

He moved to kiss me, when I took a step back. “You really want to kiss this?” I pointed at my zombie makeup.

He smiled. “Hey, I started liking you in the middle of you wearing all that.”

I patted his cheek. “That’s sweet, but you still can’t kiss me. I can’t risk you messing it up.”

“Fair enough.” He gave me another hug. “See you later.”

The tip of Benjamin’s sword pressed against my throat. It was cold, and Grant was right, a little sharp.

“Do you know how many people you’ve killed? I can’t let this go on,” Grant said as Benjamin.

“Then don’t,” I growled.

We walked a slow circle, the camera following us.

“Scarlett, what have you become?”

“Exactly what I was meant to.”

He pulled his arm back and thrust the sword forward. I dodged, and we got into our choreographed scuffle. Then Grant stabbed his sword to the right of my neck. The angle of the camera would make it look like it went straight through. I put my hands to my throat, breaking the packets of fake blood I’d been holding. I collapsed to the ground. Grant stood over me, then brought his sword down again. He paused, staring down at me for several moments before Remy called, “Cut!”

I stood, and Simone came forward and cleaned up my neck, then fixed the makeup for another take.

I let my eyes scan over the group of people in the hazy light surrounding me. Remy studied the monitor and pointed out a few things to the cameraperson. Noah was just beyond him, looking over his shoulder. Simone was now talking to Audrey, the hair person. Faith was looking at the script. Next to her, standing alone, was Grant’s agent. We locked eyes for a moment, and he shook his head slightly. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Everyone else was a crew member I’d seen around but had never really conversed with.

My heart picked up speed as I thought about walking through the dark alone.

“You want to take my sword?” Grant whispered from beside me as if he’d read my mind.

I smiled.

Grant’s eyes were now taking in our surroundings as well. “Do you think the person is here right now?”

“I don’t know.”

We ran the scene two more times before Remy said, “That’s a wrap.”

I took a steadying breath. Grant reached over and squeezed my arm. It was a sweet gesture that bolstered my opinion of him.

“I’m right behind you,” he whispered.

I nodded. “Hey,” I said loudly. “Will you walk me back to the trailers? I forgot my light.”

“I need to talk to Remy and watch some raw footage. You’ll be fine,” he said, playing the role I assigned him.

“Fine.”

He smirked and headed over to the monitors. I went for the path. And just like that I was alone in the dark. Just beyond the set I was leaving behind, I stopped and looked back, acted nervous. I took one step back toward the set, but then shook my head and turned back to the path.

I walked slowly to provide plenty of opportunity. The problem was, I really couldn’t see. I should’ve remembered this small detail from the day before. I’d shown the others which path to wait on, but after several more minutes of walking, I wasn’t even sure I was on that path. Especially not when I tripped over a large root. I didn’t remember there being roots on the walking path.

“Crap,” I grunted under my breath. Each step I took forward after that, I used my foot to feel the ground in front of me. This was going to take all night.

Then I heard it. The footsteps behind me again. I looked over my shoulder but saw nothing but blackness.

“Grant?” I knew that wasn’t the plan, but maybe he’d followed me when I got off course.

No response.

“Hello?”

“Are you scared?” a voice whispered.

I let out a scream, hoping my friends would hear it, and took off running. I’d made it only ten steps before I tripped on a root and went down hard, scuffing both palms. I flipped over and scooted backward while looking all around me.

“What do you want from me?” I said.

A rustling sound to my right launched me to my feet again. I should’ve taken Grant’s sword. “I’m over here!” I yelled. My voice bounced off the trees, which wouldn’t help with locating me at all.

Silence.

And then the loudest footsteps yet. Fast. Running toward me. I should’ve run. I needed to run. But the thought of tripping again and having my back to someone coming at me had me doing the exact opposite. I held my ground, and when I saw a dark form reach my field of vision, I launched myself forward, wrapping my arms around it. We both fell. I landed on my back, knocking the wind out of me. The figure rolled off me and bolted. I caught my breath, lying there while I assessed the damage. I seemed okay. I’d probably have a few bruises.

I heard a shout behind me and then several others. I picked myself up off the ground and made my way to the noise.

My friends were there. Donavan was shining a light on someone who was struggling against Cooper’s arms. Grant ran up from a different direction, joining the scuffle.

Abby came to my side. “Sorry! We got to you just as you fell over.”

“Who is it?” I asked.