Page 117 of The Darkest Hour

The one who could let go of control, even for a moment.

My life had been one of constant vigilance, of always being prepared to strike, to defend, to survive.

But with Havoc, I no longer felt the need to constantly be on guard.

He was strong, capable, and I was beginning to trust him in a way that I had never trusted anyone before.

Even more. . .the feeling of being held like this, of being supported, was intoxicating.

I looked up at him, and his face was focused and intent as he navigated us through the water.

Warmth spread through my body.

I turned my head to the view before us, and as Havoc led me out of the water, I couldn’t help but notice another large palm leaf spread out a few feet away from my breakfast.

Wait a minute. What is that?

On this leaf, was a strange assortment of items—bullets, a shoelace, a yellow yo-yo, a human tooth, a torn teddy bear, and a thick braid of blonde hair tied with a pink barrette at the end.

I shivered. “Havoc. . .what is that stuff on the other leaf?”

“Aww. I was wondering when you were going to notice it.”

“What is it?”

“Clues from the island.”

The Island’s Unsettling Collection

Onyx

Havoc carried me out of the stream.

I left his arms, walked over to the leaf, and knelt down. “You found all of this today too?”

“I did, while I was searching for food.”

I reached out to touch the braid first, brushing my fingers over the soft, blonde strands.

He sighed and sat down a few feet from the leaf. Instead of remaining upright, he lay on his back and put his hands under his head, “What do you think of the island’s unsettling collection?”

My brow furrowed. “I don’t like it.”

“Me either.” He gazed up at the sky.

“Where did you find them? Was it all in one place?”

“It was scattered in different places.” He pointed towards the dense part of the woods. “I followed more of those boot prints, trying to track whoever’s on the island with us.”

“Hold on. You sound very clear about that. Like. . .you know for sure someone else is on the island.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He pointed to his nose. “I smelled someone else when we first hit the shore.”

“What the fuck?”

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