The Headhunters Race (Headhunters #1) by Kimberly Afe Read Free Book Online Page B

had Gavin in his grasp only a few weeks ago. Needless to say, Gavin killed his partner and took Mr. Sokolov’s arm.”
    The townspeople and prisoners alike gasp in unison. Gavin really has become unrecognizable from the once kind boy that used to protect me from King’s wrath. How can he kill? What drove him to kill my mother? This man’s partner? And based on the drawing I saw in his journal, why does he want me dead? There’s only one way to get to the truth … be the first to find Gavin. But judging by his recent history, it’s not going to be easy, especially since he’s chosen a place to hide where criminals tend to congregate.
    “Not very nice, is it?” King waves Mr. Sokolov back while he sticks another cigarette in his mouth. “Now let me give you a little tip. We’ve got a maniac on our hands. So it’ll be much easier if you just bring back Gavin’s head, less baggage to carry.”
    This time everyone laughs, except me, although I pretend. I just want to get on with it.
    King lights his cigarette, takes a long puff, and continues. “You’ll also receive a house on the outskirts of town and fifty thousand dollars in cash. Of course, you don’t have to stay in Water Junction. If you win first prize, you can go anywhere you want. Now for those that are unable to bring back Gavin’s head and who survive long enough to make it back, there’s a prize for you too. Each survivor will be upgraded to the leisure prison. Imagine a comfortable cell complete with your own bed and private bathroom. Not to mention three square meals a day.”
    More exuberant cheering, like going back to prison is so wonderful, even if it is in a cushy cell. I join in though. But I think most everyone has other ideas about not returning at all if they aren’t the first one to reach Gavin. Why bother coming back if you can escape altogether? It can’t be impossible to overpower the guards they assign you. I guess that’s what I’m expecting, that once they release us, the prisoners are not going to go after Gavin, they’re going to run for their lives. I’m counting on being the only one here that really wants Gavin’s head.
    King goes quiet for a second and I peep around the tall guy in front of me to see Victor whispering something in his ear. King scans my section of the formation and I freeze instantly when his eyes land on me. He waves at one of the guards down below. The guard walks up the steps and just when I’m sure I’ll be called out, he hands King a metal object in the shape of a circle. I sigh with relief.
    “Now just a couple more things and we’ll get started. First, help yourself to a pack of supplies as you leave today,” says King, pointing off to the side of the stand. “Compliments of the Make Our Town Better Organization. In those you’ll find four days worth of provisions—food and water. You’ll also find matches, a blanket, and, most importantly, a compass. Follow it southeast across the mountains and through Sentimental Desert and eventually you’ll run into Millers Creek.”
    I glance at the packs sewn from scraps of mismatched cloth. Maybe the goodie two shoes club isn’t so bad after all.
    “Second, there will be no guards assigned to you this year,” says King.
    The applause and whistles and hollers nearly deafen me. No guards traveling along with us? No guards to make sure we actually run the race? As usual with King, it seems too good to be true.
    “We have something new,” King says, holding up the metal object. “A mechanical time-controlled collar. Now don’t you worry if you happen to be a little smaller or slimmer; we’ve got collars of every size.”
    None of the prisoners are cheering now, but the townspeople seem delighted.
    “This neat little device will ensure that you return, and on time. If you aren’t here, at this exact spot by noon on the ninth day, you’ll be strangled to death. You see, the collar tightens approximately every three days or so—a little