Page 70 of Last Light

I’m relieved.

I think the worst is over.

I don’t know anything.

Travis does. He hasn’t relaxed. In fact, his body is tighter than ever as he tries to drive the Jeep up onto the opposite bank.

We get up on to the dry land, but then the slope gets a lot steeper. The wheels spin helplessly against the loose dirt and gravel on the first try, so Travis backs up and accelerates more to try it again.

Rocks fly out everywhere with a painful grinding sound. The vehicle just can’t get traction.

“Damn it!” Travis’s voice echoes against the rocky slopes.

I don’t say anything. I sit perfectly still and cling to the bar.

He tries it a third time and fails again. Then he puts the Jeep in park. “Slide over here, Layne. I’m gonna push.”

“What? You’re going topush?”

“Yeah. Not gonna get this thing up otherwise. And I really don’t wanna ditch it if we don’t have to.”

I swallow hard and do as he says when he climbs out onto the wet ground. But I hate the idea. Surely it’s not safe for Travis to be standing behind this thing as it’s going up this bank. He’s going to get all cut up with flying rocks. And I’m not entirely convinced the Jeep won’t roll backward right on top of him when we start to go up the steepest part of the slope.

I don’t argue. Just get in position and wait.

“Okay,” he says, standing behind me with his hands braced widely on the back of the cargo compartment. “Start slow and then give it some gas when I tell you.”

“All right.”

I put my foot on the gas pedal. I’m shaking helplessly as it lurches forward.

Travis is moving with me. Just as we’re approaching the steep part, he yells, “Now!”

I lower my foot, and the Jeep surges forward. I feel the wheels start to spin, but Travis is behind, pushing and grunting like an animal. Dirt and rocks are flying everywhere, and I’m terrified for him. But I feel us scale the grade with a jerk, and then the Jeep has found traction again.

It’s driving normally.

I cheer loudly, and I hear Travis shouting in victory behind me. I’m not stupid enough to stop until I’ve reached mostly level ground. Then I put it in park and jump out, running back to find Travis.

He’s still standing where I left him, bending over.

“Oh my God, Travis, are you okay?” My swell of elation has transformed into fear.

“I’m fine.” He grimaces as he straightens up. “Pulled a muscle or two.”

“You’re bleeding!”

He feels his forehead, which is dripping with blood. “Oh. That’s nothin’. Musta been from a chip of rock.”

“Well, get up here so I can doctor it up.”

He gives me a quirky smile as he starts to climb up the bank toward me. “I don’t need no doctorin’ up from—” His teasing tone breaks off with a loud exclamation, and he hits the ground amid a patch of loose rocks.

“Travis!”

“Don’t you dare come down here after me.” He’s already hefting himself up. He’s scowling like I’ve never seen him. “All we need is for you to sprain your ankle too.”

“Too?” I’m hugging myself with anxiety as I watch him moving toward me again. Limping this time. “Did you sprain your ankle?”

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