Page 43 of All He Sees
She looked out the window as they soared over the ocean, and now, below Nicky was nothing but blue.
The ocean went on forever, completely uninterrupted by anything but expanses of water, dotted with boats and small islands.
Nicky watched the ocean zip past below her, and she was filled with an intense feeling of freedom. The wind whipped at her hair and clothes and the sun beat down on her through the window. The helicopter bounced on the wind, but Rachel and Danny were in good control. They were all in for a safe trip.
Nicky let her eyes drift closed, and she felt the roar of the engines, the cool air, and the sunlight.
She sat up and opened her eyes. She looked out the window, at the endless ocean and the sun high in the sky.
She shook her head; she was here to do a job. This was no time to go sightseeing. The helicopter was flying lower over the water now, the waves rocking the chopper, but the pilot was doing a good job keeping the thing steady.
The ocean was smooth, for the most part. Nicky saw a storm on the horizon, but it was small, and looked as though it would pass.
After a while, the island came into view. It was a small dot on the horizon, but it grew as they flew.
Nicky stared at it, a sense of determination growing in her. They were so close. So close to finding Mira. To finding Clara and Erica. Nicky could feel it in her blood--this island would bring her answers.
Beside her, Ken shifted uncomfortably, and Nicky shot him a glance. "You good?" she asked.
Ken nodded. "Yeah. I just..." He trailed off, brows furrowed.
Nicky frowned. "What is it?"
Ken looked at her, and he looked like he was about to say something, but then he shook his head. "It's nothing," he said. "I'll be okay."
Nicky nodded. Although she could tell he had more to say, she trusted Ken, and she knew he had been through a lot in the past few days. It wasn't surprising if he was worried. Nicky was too. Everything was riding on them, and the longer those girls were missing, the less likely they were to be found alive.
Nicky stared ahead at the island as it grew.
Please be here, Mira.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The helicopter's engine roared, and the island loomed closer, growing in size. Nicky and Ken both leaned forward and stared at it. It was lush, green, with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Nicky had to admit, it was gorgeous.
The helicopter flew over the island, surveying it, and then the engines cut. Nicky felt the helicopter dip and settle onto the ground, sending sand flying everywhere. Once everything was steady, she reached up and undid her safety belt, and then she stepped out of the helicopter. It felt odd to be on solid ground after being in the air for so long. Ken followed her out, and they both stood on the beach.
The helicopter's blades whirled through the air, sending wind scattering over the shore and sand everywhere. The fan slowly stopped.
"We'll be right here waiting for ya," Danny called out from the window.
Nicky sent him a thankful nod. "Thanks. You've been a huge help."
Nicky looked at the island, and then at Ken. "This is it," she said. "This is where I'll find her."
Ken gave her a grim smile. "I know."
Nicky turned and walked up the beach, the sand scrunching beneath her feet.
As far as Nicky could tell, the island was uninhabited. It was a sandbar, a few miles wide and long, and undisturbed. The forest was thick and covered much of the island, with trees stretching up to the sky as though they were reaching for the heavens. There were several hills, and Nicky could see cliffs on the other side of the island. It seemed like a natural place, untouched by humans. But Nicky knew that if they kept going, it would soon open up to become Charles Medina's personal paradise.
Nicky and Ken trudged through the forest, following the beach. The sand was white, and it got everywhere--in their shoes, on their clothes, in their hair.
The beach led into the forest, and Nicky was grateful for that. The trees kept the sand away and allowed them to walk freely.
The sun beat down on Nicky's face, and the air was hot and sticky. The trees were thick, and they provided some shade, but they couldn't protect Nicky from the heat.
Nicky's heart raced as she thought of the girls, kept in a remote place like this. There was something that felt off about the island. Nicky couldn't place what it was--it seemed calm, but there was an undercurrent of...nothingness, maybe. It was as though the island was lacking something.
