Page 66 of Cavern of Silence
There's a spot on my thigh that is turning red. I've pinched myself too many times to count during our journey. I don't want it to be some sort of cruel dream. And I don't know what he sees in me or how he could want to keep me, but I'm trying to remember the good about who I used to be and show him that side.
Because once upon a time, I liked myself. Others liked me, too. More than anything, I want to prove to myself that woman still exists. And I want Ryker to see her.
I guide us through the dense green foliage of the Guatemalan jungle. The sun beats down, and we approach the turn. "Go through that track," I instruct Ryker.
Rows of lush banana fields are on both sides of the Jeep. After several feet, he stops the vehicle. "This is pretty narrow."
"Yeah. It's the only place to get the Jeep across the river. We can't cross the border without getting over it."
He glances on both sides of the track then says, "All right. Sit on the console and pull my blanket out of my bag. I don't want the branches scraping you."
I obey, and Hunter covers Vanessa.
Ryker protectively circles his arm around me, tugging my head into his muscular pecs. His heart beats into my ear, and I hold onto his torso.
For over ten minutes, branches loudly scrape the side of the Jeep, and several bunches of bananas fall into the vehicle.
I cover my ears and, against my will, my body shakes. Ryker pulls me closer to his chest and, from time to time, kisses my head and murmurs, "Hold on, baby."
At the end of the journey, blood oozes out of Ryker's biceps and forehead. Hunter's arms and cheek are dripping, too.
I cup Ryker's face. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine."
"You're bleeding."
"I'll live."
"Pull over so I can clean you up."
"It's not—"
"Please!"
He pecks my lips. "Okay." He parks, and Vanessa and I use the first aid kits and attend to their wounds.
"Where do I go now?" Ryker asks.
I direct him toward the river.
Vanessa sits up straighter. "How are we getting across that?"
I turn toward them. "We drive across."
Her eyes widen. "That looks deep."
"We should pick up anything on the floor, just to be safe." I lift Ryker's backpack and put it on the console.
"There's nowhere else to cross?" Hunter asks.
"No. This river runs along the border. It's one of the few places shallow enough to make it across. I know the landowner."
"Where is he?”
"Working in the fields is my guess. But he'll let us pass if he catches us."
"How do you know him?"
