Page 23 of Explorer's Revenge
Wincing, I pick it up, sparing some of my water to wash it off as much as I can so it’s not as . . . sticky, then I pull my camera out and take some footage of the inside.
He was a Californian named Thomas Wardle, and he was twenty-nine. There’s a polaroid of him and another man embracing. I spare him a look, saddened by how he died, before I close the wallet and carefully put it in my bag. Hopefully my camera will link up, and they’ll see the footage and let his partner and parents know.
I debate whether or not I should bury him, but I honestly don’t know if I could manage it. It would also make it harder to retrieve his body if they tried, not to mention what has been . . . snacking on him will probably come back and dig him up anyway, so although it feels wrong, I head back into the jungle and leave him there.
My heart is heavy, and my good mood is nowhere in sight.
It’s a reminder of just how brutal nature can be if I’m not careful.
SEVENTEEN
MERRICK
Iwake with the sun hitting my face and roll over, only to fall from my hammock. I hit the ground with a thump and hiss as I rub at my eyes, then I glance over at the others to see them waking as well.
My eyes land on Way’s bunk and widen. His arms are wrapped around Aiyaret, both of them huddled together. Aiy lifts his head groggily and looks around. When he meets my gaze, I look away with a knowing smile. I’m glad my brother is finally moving forward.
I say nothing as the others stir, not wanting to draw attention to it. I know Way and Aiy have been getting closer. Way is the only one who is able to comfort and calm him down, but it isn’t any of our business unless they say it is.
“Going to be a hot one,” I grouse to Aiy as I sit at his side by the campfire. I feel his eyes on me. He’s worried about what I’ll ask when I meet his gaze. “Let’s start breakfast while they wake up.”
He nods, and we work together out of habit. Aiy relaxes over time when I don’t say anything, and when breakfast is served and everyone else is walking over, I slap his shoulder gently.“Don’t overthink too much, brother. It isn’t good for the soul,” I whisper to him before handing a metal tray to Wilder.
Aiy hands one to Way, who slumps next to him after going to the bathroom, and for a moment, their eyes meet and something passes between them. I have the insane urge to squeal, but I feel like I’m intruding, so I turn to Logan and steal a forkful of his oatmeal.
“Hey,” he grumbles around a mouthful.
“Yours looks nicer.” I shrug, and his eyes narrow. Before I know it, I’m tackled to the ground. Our oatmeal is forgotten as we roll across the leaves, slapping and kicking each other. Wilder simply steps over us and heads to the fire, and we finally roll to a stop.
“Truce?” I suggest.
“Fine,” Logan mutters, and then he offers me a hand up and we walk over to the fire, grabbing our breakfast and eating.
“So what’s the plan, boss man?” I ask Wilder, eyeing Aiy and Way, who are in their own little world, their heads bent together as they eat. A small smile curves my brother’s lips before he clears his throat.
“I want to cover at least four miles. It’s a hard hike today. No stops if we can help it.”
We groan, but Wilder just grins like a psychopath. “If we can, then we will be at the center of the island by tomorrow, and the real fun will begin.”
“Wilder,” Logan whines, and we press our faces together, wearing pouts we’ve practiced a million times.
“Wilder,” I echo. “Can’t we have some fun?”
His eyes narrow as he glances between us, knowing he’s fighting a losing battle. “Like what?” he mutters.
“Merrick and I saw a waterfall not far from here last night. Can we play there for a bit, maybe do some rock climbing and diving?” Logan asks, and I nod.
“It will be good for footage. Ajax will like it,” I add.
“They are right,” Way says, and Wilder sighs, a sound that lets me know we won.
“Fine, but only if you’re ready to go in ten minutes.”
Our whoops of joy fill the air as we scramble to pack.
You bet your ass we were ready in nine minutes, and Wilder reluctantly let Logan and I lead the way to the waterfall we found. It doesn’t take long, and we dump our packs along the boulders at the edge. It’s not overly large, not like the one we found in New Zealand, but it’s pretty with sparkling, clear water crashing over rocks.
Wilder checks the perimeter and water before nodding at us. “Fine, have at it.” He knows better than to fight us.
