I yanked myself free from Fabian's grip and let out a cold laugh. "Keep that luck for yourself. I couldn't care less."

Having said that, I bent over to snatch up my backpack. Just as I was about to walk away, Fabian grabbed me again.

His voice shook with barely contained fury as he spat, "Do you have to be this petty? Is now really the time to act up? Kimberly was trying to help, and you just threw it back in her face!"

At that moment, Kimberly stepped forward and slipped her arm through mine, as if we were the best of friends.

"I know you've never liked me, Pris. But we're out here in the middle of nowhere. If we don't carry these charms and something goes wrong, I'd never forgive myself."

All at once, everyone jumped to her defense. "Yeah, stop making a scene! We still have miles to cover once she's done passing out the charms."

Still, I said nothing and glared at Kimberly.

Tears well up in her eyes instantly. "Since Pris despises them so much, I won't bother anyone with these cheap little trinkets. The rest of you can fend for yourselves."

Her words only added fuel to the fire, and the others turned on me at once.

"Priscilla, if you don't care about your own life, fine. But do you have to drag us down with you?" one snapped.

Another jeered, "Exactly! How can you be so selfish, Priscilla? Kimberly's always looking out for everyone. How could you say something like that? You've got no conscience at all!"

They forced me back a few steps until my back hit the hard, cold trunk of a tree.

Every one of them believed that as long as they carried Kimberly's good luck charms, they'd be safe from wolf attacks. Yet, they never once questioned what was really inside them.

I had no intention of arguing. So, I replied flatly, "All I did was refuse to help hand them out. I never stopped you from taking them. If you're so eager, then do it yourselves. But don't you dare try to guilt me into it."

Then, I pointed at my backpack on the ground and added, "You scattered my stuff, so you're going to pick it up. If anything's missing, I'll come raid your tents in the middle of the night. Let's see how well you sleep then."

My sudden outburst startled them. They called me crazy under their breath, but still crouched to gather my scattered gear.

After that, I grabbed my backpack and turned to leave the group.

In my past life, I had fought tooth and nail to make them throw those charms away. They had managed to escape the wolves, only to repay me—the one who saved them—by causing my death.

This time, I wanted to see just how long these fools would last against the wolves without my warning.

…

I had barely gone a mile or two when an adult wolf burst out of the underbrush. I couldn't dodge it in time, and its claws tore across my arm, leaving three deep gashes.

Relying on instinct and years of hiking experience, I quickly pulled out the knife from my belt and slashed its throat as it lunged. In an instant, blood splattered everywhere.

Something was wrong. I had taken this trail three times before, yet I had never once run into wolves.

A jolt of dread shot through me. I bit back the pain, hastily wrapped the wound, then tore open my backpack to check the inside.

Sure enough, my hand closed around a hard lump in the side pocket. It was one of those damned charms.

My fury boiled over. I spun on my heel and marched back to confront them.

The group was still resting in the same spot when I returned. As soon as they spotted me, the mockery began.

"Well, well. Look who's back. What's wrong, Priscilla? Did you get scared after walking a mile?"

Another added, "What do you think this is? A pit stop? You can't just come and go as you please!"

"Yeah, quit acting like some spoiled princess!"

I ignored their jeers and stormed up to Kimberly, hurling the charm at her face. "What the hell did you stuff this trash into my backpack for? I told you I didn't want it!"

Fabian immediately yanked Kimberly behind him to protect her. "Priscilla, what the hell is wrong with you? She was worried you'd get hurt wandering off alone and deliberately—"

"Deliberately, huh?" I shoved my injured arm in his face and yelled, "This is what her so-called kindness got me!"

Fabian froze momentarily. A beat later, he snapped, "You wandered off on your own and got yourself hurt. How is that Kimberly's fault?"

The others echoed his sentiment.

"Exactly! Kimberly's kindness is wasted on you!"

"You couldn't even take care of yourself and got hurt. But now, you're blaming her! How vicious can you be?"

Blinded by rage, I lashed out and sent Fabian sprawling with one swift kick.

Seeing that, everyone rushed to pull me back.

"Priscilla Jensen!" one yelled. "Don't push your luck! Kimberly stayed up the whole night making these for us. Look! Her hands are covered in cuts!"

"And now you're accusing her of setting you up? Fabian had merely spoken up for what was right, and you attacked him out of jealousy! How can you be so cruel?"

I realized then that no matter what I said, none of them would take my side. Even with my bloody wound laid bare before their eyes, I knew it was pointless to say another word.

I looked at the good luck charms dangling from their backpacks, and a cold dread ran through me.

The sky had darkened. If I kept following them, I'd end up attacked by the wolves, too. By then, there would be no way out.

Survival came first. I couldn't be bothered to argue with them, so I turned to leave.

But Fabian had already gotten to his feet. In the next second, he yanked me by the collar. "Priscilla, do you think you can frame Kim and just walk away?"

I struggled to break free, but he was built like a brute and towered over me by almost a foot. There was no way I could leave.

Defeated, I shot back, "I warned her this morning not to give me her charm, but she did it anyway. Because of it, I ended up badly hurt. I didn't even report her for intentional harm. That was me showing her more mercy than she deserved."

Fabian's temper flared at once. "Kimberly gave you that charm out of kindness, and you threw it back in her face! You truly don't know what's good for you, huh? The climb is hard enough, yet you keep harassing and provoking her!"

I suppressed my anger, refusing to argue with him.

But at some point, Fabian had pulled a wooden stick from his backpack and pointed it at me. "You'd better apologize to Kimberly right now, or I can't promise how hard this is going to land on you."

I stared at him in disbelief. "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize to her?"

Fabian's expression darkened further as he closed in. He warned, "If you don't apologize, I won't be holding back. Think hard about what's coming."

As the light faded, panic knotted in my chest. I had no choice but to swallow my pride, turn to Kimberly, and reluctantly mutter, "I'm sorry."

Kimberly looked at me with a smirk, her eyes dripping with mockery. "Your voice is so soft, Pris. It sounds like you're still holding a grudge. Maybe I should be the one apologizing to you."

"Kimberly, this isn't your fault. You don't owe this ungrateful woman an apology," Fabian quickly reassured her.

Then, he turned to me, snarling, "Say it like you mean it! Get down and grovel for her forgiveness!"

Forcing down my humiliation, I sank to my knees, locking my eyes on Kimberly. "I'm sorry, Kimberly. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than a chorus of howls echoed through the mountains. My heart slammed in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to run.

Right then, Fabian finally let go. With a smug smile, he said, "Priscilla, I won't let you off so easily the next time you pull something like this again."

I didn't even bother to respond. Instead, I grabbed my backpack and bolted.

I ran along the trails I remembered, scrambling over ridges without daring to stop.

Meanwhile, the ground began to tremble beneath me. I knew that a whole pack of wolves was on the move, charging straight toward the group.