Free Run by Gabby Tye Page B

can’t,” he says.
    He reaches out and touches my face with the back of his hand. I am not expecting this. I stare into his green eyes. He draws my face closer to his and leans in. I feel his breath on my lips and my stomach does a thousand backflips. His lips almost brush mine.
    There is a noise and we jerk apart. Someone is coming in through the front door. I hold my breath. It is Tattoo Guy. He slinks in. He can’t see us but we can see him, silhouetted against the moonlight. He is alone.
    â€œJake! Sean! Are you here?” he whispers loudly.
    â€œOn three,” Jae says, which means on one.
    â€œOne,” he says, and we charge.
    Tattoo Guy yells as I tackle his legs and bring him down. I hang on tight as he tries to free himself. I’m stronger than he is. Jae manages to tie his hands behind his back. He loops the rope around his legs and ties them together too. He’s a much easier target than the Eaters. I grin up at Jae and he offers me a half smile.
    Jae hauls Tattoo Guy into a sitting position.
    â€œYou!” he says when he sees me.
    â€œYou know me? Where do you know me from? Tell me!” I say, shaking his shoulders.
    Tattoo Guy shrugs nonchalantly. And that annoys me.
    I slap him. Hard.
    â€œWhat do you know?” I demand.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWhy are you following me?”
    â€œI am not following you.”
    â€œThen why are you here?”
    â€œI want my food!”
    â€œIt isn’t your food,” Jae says, stepping in.
    The conversation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I storm into the kitchen and grab a cheese grater.
    â€œI’ll use this on you if you don’t tell me.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t dare.”
    I narrow my eyes at him. He’s right. I don’t dare. I fling the grater away in frustration.
    â€œTalk,” Jae says, coming to stand next to me.
    â€œAbout what?” he asks. He looks truly puzzled.
    â€œWho am I? You recognised me!” I am so angry, but I try to keep my voice low. “Tell me who I am!”
    It takes him a moment to realise what I’m asking him. He laughs. “You’ve lost your memory? Oh, that serves you right. I’m not telling you.”
    I am at a loss for words. I kick his legs, but somehow, it brings me no comfort. Kicking a tied-up man seems really mean and I can’t do it again.
    â€œPlease. Just tell me who I am.”
    â€œOr else what?” he says, mocking me.
    â€œOr else I will leave you tied up here. For the Eaters to find,” Jae says.
    That seems to have an effect on Tattoo Guy. “The Eaters? That’s what they are called? You’ve seen them too? You’ve seen what they do? You wouldn’t! No, no. Don’t leave me here.”
    â€œThen tell me who she is!” Jae points at me.
    He panics and struggles against the rope, but gets nowhere. He gives up struggling and looks at me. “I really don’t know who you are. I just recognised you from before. You and your group.”
    â€œMy group?”
    â€œYour other group. With the children. You were the ones who kept taking our food.”
    â€œHow many? How many in that group?”
    â€œHow should I know? I only remember you because of your hair. You and that red-headed girl. That’s all I know! I don’t know your name. I don’t know who or what you are. I don’t care! All I know is you have been trouble! Now let me go!” He is shouting.
    â€œHe knows nothing,” Jae says, sighing. “We’d better go. We need to sleep.”
    I am so disappointed. I nod and we head for the front door.
    â€œHey! Hey!” Tattoo Guy calls. “Don’t leave me here!”
    Jae and I look at each other.
    â€œYou will probably figure out the knots in a few hours. In the meantime, I suggest you keep as quiet as you can. The Eaters are attracted to sound,” Jae tells him.
    We go out and Jae locks the door from the outside.
    â€œHe should