Page 14 of Explorer's Revenge
“I’m surrounded by idiots,” I mutter as I turn to the water.
“Speak for yourself,” Way scoffs as he slings his legs over the edge of the boat. “Now, let’s go before the captain murders Logan or Rick and offers them to the gods or something.”
“I heard that!” the captain calls.
“Yup, time to go.” Waving at the captain, I throw myself backwards into the water, letting the waves consume me as I push away from the boat and resurface farther out. With a whoop, Logan flings himself after me, and Rick flips in. Way rolls his eyes and steps in, followed by Aiyaret, and before we are very far away, the boat speeds off into the distance.
“Guess he really believes in being swallowed.” Logan chuckles as he catches up to me and then turns to Rick. “Race you to the shore. Whoever loses will be sacrificed to the curse.”
“Shit, you’re cheating!” Rick shouts as Logan dives under and sets off before they even agree.
I watch them race away, but I hang back, waiting for everyone else to pass me before I start to swim. I’m the team leader, so it’s my job to keep them safe, which means being first in the water and the last one out. As soon as my feet hit the sand, I open my bag and slip on a shirt and hat as the others do the same and prepare. I tie my boots on and sling my bag over my shoulder, peering up at the thick jungle.
The darkness within makes me think of the captain’s words, but I nod at my team and walk closer anyway.
I’m not afraid of a curse—it should be afraid of me.
I am going to find the lost city, and when I do, I’ll make the world forget all about Maeve Carter and those other phonies.
“I think we should enter the jungle up there,” I tell them as I scan the beach. “It seems less dense. We’ll waste energy hacking through it here.”
“Then let’s go up there.” Way shrugs. “Logan, tie your shorts. We don’t want your dick slipping out.”
“Boring,” Logan mutters, but he does as he’s told, and as a unit, we set off down the beach, our cameras capturing everything.
Logan and Rick film some short videos as well, playing in the sea and chasing each other. They also interview us as we walk. We let them, since our fans love it, and they keep us at the top of our game so we get to do what we love.
It’s why we give them almost complete access to our lives, even the personal side.
“Wilder, say hello to your loyal fans.” Rick shoves the camera in my face, pressing his cheek to mine so we’re more stumbling than walking.
“Hello,” I say, my eyes scanning the horizon.
“Our fearless leader is in work mode, but how cute is his new haircut?” Rolling my eyes, I let him film until I see something in the distance.
“What is that?”
They all turn to look, our eyes straining as we tread closer until we can finally make it out.
“Holy shit,” we say in unison.
ELEVEN
MERRICK
“Rick, wait!” my brother yells, but I scramble over the sand and gape at the giant shipwreck emerging from the water. I don’t know how we didn’t see it farther down the beach, but up close, it’s huge. The old, scarred, knotted wood is covered in sea life, and there are some holes in the sides. It’s unlike anything from this century.
“Shit, that’s ancient,” Aiyaret confirms. “Probably a cargo ship that ran aground and washed up here.”
“Um, guys,” Logan calls, and we hurry around the front to see him pointing behind it. “There are at least four wreckages here.”
We sputter because he’s right. Hidden behind the mostly intact ship are four smaller wrecks. Some are mainly just pieces, but one is a tiny fishing boat, probably from a few years ago. The others span in size and time, but they are all here.
As Logan strides over, he picks up a piece of wood and shows it to us. There are teeth marks on the side. “Probably a shark,” I remark, but I can’t help scanning the rest, looking for more. There aren’t any.
What made them wreck here?
Storms?
