The Prey

by Andrew Fukuda

  Epap scribbles individual names on each can. A good way to learn new names, he says. He is trying to be brave, trying to be strong. He writes Sissy’s name on her can. He is refusing to acknowledge the undeniable: in a few hours he will have to do the unthinkable. First to her, then to me. He scribbles my name on a can, as if to make a point.

  I stare at the cans of peaches, standing side by side. My name, Sissy’s name, scrawled in block letters. Like names on our tombstones.

  * * *

  Nighttime. I spasm awake, feeling the chill of the desert night clinging to my bones. Even the light of the moon has become an assault on my eyes. The turning is nearing completion. A cool breeze whistles through the train car, tinged with the scent of smoke. I sit up, glance up. A column of thick smoke rises from the lead car’s smokestack. The engine must have automatically kicked in after we’d lost our downhill momentum. It will stay at this speed, in all likelihood, all the way to the Palace, never slowing down. Everything automated.

  Like my turning.

  I shiver, my whole body racked with tremors. My heart racing, my shirt sticky with the cold condensation of sweat. The slowness of the turning, an agony all its own. Moonlight splashes through the cage; the shadows of the metal bars bend and curve across the topography of our bodies. Now and then, a girl cries out, lost in her nightmare. I sit up, feel the crackle of dried, crusty bone. David sleeps fitfully next to me, anguished words murmuring out of his lips. I pull the blanket over him. His arm is draped across the empty space on his other side. Where Jacob would be sleeping.

  The land lumbers by, miles and miles of nothingness. Sissy lies at my feet, her head nestled in Epap’s lap. The daggers sheathed in her belt glint in the moonlight, beckoning me. My fingers touch the rough leather of her belt. I unhook the strap, draw a dagger out. It is time.

  Epap will not do it. But I can. I must. First her, then me.

  I place the dagger against her neck. The blade sinks into her soft flesh; I see the ripple of her pulse beating just above the blade.

  It is pulsing out with a slow steadiness, not rapid hammering. With a frown, I touch her skin.

  It is dry. It is warm.

  I place my hand over her heart. The heartbeat is steady and slow.

  She’s not turning anymore. She’s unturning.

  I stare at her calm, rested face, not understanding. A wind blows through the bars, and I shiver with the heated delirium of the turning.

  “Sissy?”

  Her eyelids flutter slightly. She is coming to. Her arm slips out from under the blanket, knocks against the peach cans by her head. Mine and hers, side by side.

  I think I see something, and my heart, for reasons not immediately apparent, starts to hammer away even faster.

  And then I hear something, the voice of my father, his voice startlingly clear even after so many years: You’re looking but not seeing. Sometimes the answer is right under your nose.

  Sissy starts to stir awake. Her tongue laps out, dry and white, moistening her cracked lips. Her eyelids begin to open, not with the jittery flutter from earlier in the day, but with a sureness about it.

  In a few moments, she will come to, sit up, look at me.

  But not yet. My eyes fall on the cans again, standing side by side. At the letters scrawled, the names Epap had written on them.

  Gene. Sissy.

  But not quite. Because her name, with so many letters, is only partially visible. Just the first three letters are visible, the last two letters disappearing behind the curvature of the can.

  Sis.

  The name the Scientist christened her with.

  And suddenly, I am thinking of the hang glider. It was always meant to be the two of you. I am thinking of Krugman, his insistence that the Origin was something typographical. Of Epap, saying my father always gave names for a specific reason. Of my blood, in her, conjoining with hers.

  I keep staring at the names, and I am a blind man who suddenly gains sight.

  Gene. Sis.

  Gene. Sis.

  Genesis.

  She starts opening her eyes, eyes that I will never look at again in the same way.

  Her eyes open, locking onto mine. She does not flinch, does not blink against the moonlight splashing down on her face. She will think my eyes widen because of gladness, because of surprise, on seeing her revive.

  But they widen only because of realization; because of the truth that has been staring me in the face all this time. Right under my nose.

  Genesis. The beginning.

  The Origin.

  Not me. Not her. But both of us.

  Together, we are the cure.

  Don’t miss the final book

  In the Hunt trilogy

  Coming September 2013

  Acknowledgments

  Catherine Drayton has continued to be an agent par excellence. I am thankful to have in my corner someone so dependable, whose insights and business acumen I have come to both rely upon and take for granted. Thank you also to the übertalented people at InkWell Management, especially Richard Pine, Lyndsey Blessing, Charlie Olsen, and Kristan Palmer.

  I am especially indebted to Rose Hilliard, my editor at St. Martin’s Press. I have a deep appreciation for her wizardly editorial skills, warm encouragement, and elegant guidance. This book breathes clarity, depth, and life because of her. Many thanks also to Matthew Shear, Anne Marie Tallberg, Joseph Goldschein, Loren Jaggers, Paul Hochman, Jeffrey Dodes, and NaNá V. Stoelzle.

  Thank you to Ingrid Selberg, Venetia Gosling, Kathryn McKenna, and the rest of the team at Simon & Schuster UK for embracing this series with such tireless dedication.

  For their generosity with time and words, I am forever indebted to Andrea Cremer, Becca Fitzpatrick, Richelle Mead, and Alyson Noël. Your early support meant—and has continued to mean—the world to me. Thank you so much.

  Thank you to Monsters Calling Home for inspiring me.

  And finally, to Ching-Lee and the boys, for love and support and laughs and rest and hope and fun and excitement and joy and sanctuary and inspiration and a hundred thousand other reasons.

  Also by Andrew Fukuda

  The Hunt

  Praise for The Hunt

  “The story is bona fide creepy, and as it builds to its cliff-hanger ending (which delivers quite a good twist), readers will be torn between hoping Gene can maintain the ruse and that he will take on the bloodsuckers already. As revolutions go, this one is well worth keeping on your radar.”

  —Booklist

  “In this terrifying and inventive adventure, Fukuda turns the vampire novel inside out.… With an exciting premise fueled by an underlying paranoia, fear of discovery, and social claustrophobia, this thriller lives up to its potential while laying groundwork for future books.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Take the overwhelming aloneness of I Am Legend, add in the hunt of The Hunger Games, and you’ll see why this combustible combo results in a tense moment-to-moment calculation of Gene’s chances at survival.”

  —Justine Magazine

  “Fukuda takes the feeling of isolation that dominates adolescence and builds a world around it in a novel where the tension rarely slackens. He turns up the violence a notch from The Hunger Games with language that is as graphic as it is eloquent. Readers will hanker for answers as they’ll discover a kindred spirit in Gene, who so eloquently describes the feeling of being an island in the middle of a vast ocean.”

  —Maximum Shelf

  “I was blown away from the first chapter all the way to the end. Fukuda did an excellent job turning the world of vampirism upside down. Wonderful descriptions, great imagination, and very tight characters. If you love vampire worlds, then read this book. You will not want to put this one down!”

  —Night Owl Reviews (Reviewer Top Pick)

  “The dialogue is authentic and intense, the setting is grim and frightening, and the narration is superbly executed—lending an immediacy to the action as it unfolds. A fine pie
ce of work.”

  —The Examiner

  “The Hunt is utterly disturbing, dark, twisted, but incredibly fascinating at the same time. It was a ride like nothing else I’ve read before. Gene was a smart and sharp hero I loved to follow! And the ending was incredible with a cliff-hanger that will leave you hanging and wanting more—right now! If you are up for a thrilling ride then go and get The Hunt!”

  —Bewitched Bookworms

  “The Hunt was fast-paced and awesome, propelling me forward with each new twist. It was dark, gritty, and intense. Gene was a dynamic character, while the surrounding characters were insanely creepy. They were ruthless, and it was perfect. And the ending? Just right!”

  —The Passionate Bookworm

  “Action-packed, heart-pounding, page-flipping action. I’m thoroughly in love. The Hunt is a riveting, thrilling read—definitely one of my favorite books of 2012 so far. I can’t wait to get my hands on a sequel, even if I have to wait a year for it.”

  —YA Reads

  “This book was hard to put down. I kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it! I just love this new world Mr. Fukuda created.”

  —Milk and Cookies

  “Holy. Crap. This book is creeptastic! Some parts gave me shivers and others had me gasping and screaming out loud. I loved every minute of The Hunt! I couldn’t put it down. It’s horrific, terrifying, gruesome, and inspiring. A story of survival, loss, and sacrifice that had me reading late into the night and early into the morning. If you haven’t already added The Hunt to your TBR I highly recommend it.”

  —Paperblog

  “Great book. The Hunt is at once intriguing and frightening. It’s twisted and dark with just enough hope that it kept me on my toes and turning the pages. I can’t wait to see what happens in the series because it should be interesting!”

  —I’m Loving Books

  “Andrew Fukuda has given us a vampire version of The Hunger Games … one of the creepiest novels I have ever read. Gene is a beautiful character. Seeing his feelings really made this story for me … a must-read.”

  —I Heart YA Books

  “I fell in love with this book. I’m just going to say all the huge cliché things right now, because they express my sentiments exactly … ‘I couldn’t stop turning the pages,’ ‘I was up reading all night,’ ‘I didn’t want the story to end,’ and ‘I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL!’”

  —Taming the Bookshelf

  “Very unique. This book is a standout. Andrew Fukuda has some good and original ideas. This series will only get better with each sequel.”

  —Poetry to Prose

  “The action never stopped! Brilliantly written, the author weaves the story of Gene and his lonely, isolated life with his desperate fight to blend in that is literally a fight for survival. The book ends with an interesting puzzler, meaning much more to come in the next installment. Highly recommended.”

  —YA Lit Ramblings

  “Andrew Fukuda has the amazing ability to successfully create an alternate reality where … in one of the most action-packed endings that I have read recently, it all comes down to one thing: surviving. With a last line that will leave you stunned, you will immediately want to hunt down Andrew Fukuda and demand to know what happens next. This book definitely deserves four stars!”

  —The Book Vortex

  “The Hunt gripped me from page one. Completely refreshing. The world Fukuda creates is fascinating and creative. I ended up loving it—creeped out, a little scared, holding my breath. A book I finished in one sitting. The Hunt is violent, intense, and absolutely captivating. I highly recommend this. I will definitely be reading the sequels!”

  —Rex Robot Reviews

  “One of the best vampire books I’ve ever read! This is a breath of fresh air within the genre.… Definitely makes my best of 2012 so far list. If you’re looking for something fresh to read within the paranormal and dystopian genres, The Hunt is for you.”

  —Birth of a New Witch

  “The Hunt is fast-paced and exciting. Andrew Fukuda does a wonderful job of blending traditional vampire lore with cool and new ideas. He did a good job of bringing the story to an end, while at the same time leaving the reader begging for more after an amazing cliff-hanger. Even if you aren’t a fan of vampire stories, you should give this a try. The Hunt is definitely unique.”

  —Karin’s Book Nook

  “This book was fascinating. If you enjoy the idea of a world where humans aren’t the top of the food chain and a human boy is struggling to survive since giving up isn’t an option, then you’ll want to read Gene’s story.”

  —This Blonde Reads

  “If The Hunger Games were taken over by vampires, this would be the result. A perfect blend of horror and YA fantasy, The Hunt sets a whole new bar for vampire novels. With incredible suspense, drama, ethical dilemmas, and a bit of romance—it’s completely riveting. I loved every minute of this fast-paced thrill ride. Don’t miss this one.”

  —SciFiChick.com

  “The Hunt is a fascinating thriller starring two fabulous protagonists. The story line is fast-paced and filled with chilling action. Fans will appreciate joining Gene as he tries to avoid becoming the prey of The Hunt.”

  —Alternate Worlds

  “I must say. You’re a clever one, Mr. Fukuda. Kudos. I found myself reading this everywhere I was. It keeps you in your seat and demands you stay there. With the constant threat of heart-pumping danger and imminent death, the characters only grow closer and stronger. Shining like a beacon of humanity in a very dark and scary world, I highly recommend this book.”

  —Teen Librarian’s Toolbox

  “Andrew Fukuda managed to surprise me. I can’t wait to see how it continues in the next book.”

  —Fighting Dreamer

  “With his propulsive plot and highly developed characters, readers will find it impossible to resist the vivid world Andrew Fukuda has created in this stunning standout debut. Readers craving a book that grips and mesmerizes them like The Hunger Games will love The Hunt.”

  —RJ Does Books

  “Fast-paced, horrifying, and delicious! The Hunt is a brilliant new series … steeped in horror and riddled with tension and fear that left me spent and wanting more. I highly recommend. One of my favorite reads for 2012.”

  —Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

  “From page one, Fukuda draws the reader into a fast-paced, suspenseful narrative of suspicious coincidences, unanswered questions, and building action.… In addition to fans of vampire fiction, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy survivalist stories, action, and adventure.”

  —VOYA

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Andrew Fukuda currently resides on Long Island, New York. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell University, Fukuda went on to work as a criminal prosecutor in New York City. He now writes full-time.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  THE PREY. Copyright © 2013 by Andrew Fukuda. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  Cover design by Elsie Lyons

  Cover photographs: woman © Stephen Carroll/Trevillion Images; moon © Ajay Shrivastava/Shutterstock.com; screws © Provasilich/Shutterstock.com

  ISBN 978-1-250-00511-3 (hardcover)

  ISBN 9781250020758 (e-book)

  First Edition: February 2013

 

 

 
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