Page 54 of Honor Code

Phoenix hadn’t been lying. His head was starting to ease, despite the gentle exercise, and he was feeling better than he had all day. His concussion must be lifting. Thank God it hadn’t been too serious. Not like Boomer, who'd gotten the brunt of the blast. He hoped his friend had been rendered unconscious immediately and hadn’t known what had hit him.

The thought sobered him, and after a short rest, he asked, “Are you okay to keep going?”

“I’ll manage.”

He admired her grit. Her face was pale in the light of the moon, shining down between the trees, and he’d never seen her look so wild.

After what felt like ages but was in fact a little under half an hour, the trees began to thin, and the ground sloped upward more steeply. "We must be close,” he said.

Ellie sighed in relief.

They crested a small hill, and the ranger station finally came into view—a solitary, sturdy structure raised slightly off the ground on stilts to protect it from the damp ground. The exterior was weathered, its wooden, rustic appearance blending into the surrounding landscape.

“That’s it.”

“Thank God.” Ellie rushed ahead, reaching the cabin before him. She tried the door, but it was locked. Not surprising, given the late hour. The cabin was in darkness, the lights off.

“It’s closed.” He heard the dejection in her voice, and his heart went out to her.

“Don’t worry, we can still get in. We’ll just have to make sure we vacate it before anyone arrives tomorrow.” They needed medical supplies, food, and shelter—and it couldn’t wait. His arm was beginning to throb, and they both had to eat something.

“But… how?”

“Give me a moment.” Leaving Ellie standing at the front door, he circled the cabin, but there was no other entrance. No security cameras or flashing lights inside the property, which meant they probably didn't have an alarm. No need out here on the island. They had nothing worth stealing.

Bending down, he inspected the lock. It was an old-style mechanism that wouldn’t be too hard to jimmy. After taking out his hunting knife, he wedged it into the gap then pried. The lock groaned before giving way.

They were in.

CHAPTER 25

By the dim glow of the flickering lantern, Ellie watched Phoenix slide the heavy bolt in place and then pull a chest of drawers across the door. "That should do it," he said.

"Do you really think they're going to come for us here?" She couldn't hide the tremor from her voice. After the hike up to the summit, she just wanted to lie down and pass out. The thought of having to fight those two mercenaries, or whatever they were, filled her with dread.

"I hope not," was all he said, which did little to bolster her confidence. For the past half-hour, she had been resting inside while he set up what he called booby traps around the cabin's perimeter.

"An early warning system," he explained upon his return. “Just in case.”

Then he set about checking the cabin. He opened all the cupboards and drawers, checked in every possible nook and cranny. One locked cabinet caught his eye, and using his knife, he forced it open.

“What are you looking for?” she asked.

“This.” He turned around and held up a shotgun. “You never know, it might be useful.”

“How’d you know that was in there?”

“I didn’t, but it stands to reason that a ranger station like this would have a weapon on hand.”

He thought of everything. At least now they were armed, and not just sitting ducks, should the men from the boat track them down.

"I found the first-aid kit." She pointed to the desk where she had placed it, alongside some bags of chips, cans of soda, and two chocolate bars. She had already devoured a bar and downed a soda before sinking into one of the chairs, utterly exhausted.

"Thanks." He lowered himself into the chair at the desk then opened the medical bag. The wound on his arm was still uncovered after he'd cleansed it in the stream, and it needed dressing. She watched as he spread on the disinfectant, then tore open a sterile gauze strip with his teeth. His face was hard, like granite, as he stared at his arm, intent on what he was doing.

They hadn't spoken about what had happened—or almost happened—on the beach, but she had set aside her longing, the day's sheer exhaustion dulling her emotions. So, he didn't want to go there. Fine with her. After the shock of the explosion, then almost drowning, she'd just wanted to feel a pair of strong arms around her. Even as she thought the words, she knew they weren't strictly true. She wanted to feel his arms around her.

She admitted her timing could have been better. Lying on a deserted beach in plain sight, with enemies on their tail, was hardly ideal for a tender moment, but his abruptness stung nonetheless. Still, she got the message. Loud and clear. Not interested.

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