Page 33 of Sanctuary

“Yes.”

“I’ll do it quick. One, two, three.” She pushed the knife tip into the hole and felt the bullet hit the blade. She slid the tip to the side and managed to get the blade under it, or at least it felt that way. “Here goes,” she said and applied pressure. The bullet easily slipped out along with a gush of blood. She placed one of the towels that Sarah had also packed over the wound and pressed down.

“It looked like you knew what you were doing,” said Paige lightly. She was still lazily scratching Indra’s belly.

Misty smiled at her in relief. “It was easier than I thought.” She looked down at Simon. “How do you feel?” she asked.

“Better. The burn isn’t as bad.” He rested his head against the blanket again and closed his eyes. Indra slipped in beside him and licked Simon’s face. His hand came out and sank into the tiger’s fur.

“We need food and rest,” Misty said after she stood and stretched.

“I’ll get the food,” Sarah said.

“I’ll take care of the hot chocolate,” Paige said and jumped up before Sarah was standing.

The girls went to work organizing a meal. Simon lay quietly, petting Indra. There was more than enough food for all of them.

“Can the tiger have some of this?” Paige asked.

“He likes Yolanda’s cooking.”

“Good because I’m still not sure he won’t eat us if he’s hungry.” Paige placed a portion of her meal on one of the lids and placed it on the floor.

The tiger made a deep chuffling sound in acknowledgement, and they all started laughing. For a few moments, all was right in their world. They were dry, warm, and safe. It wouldn’t last.

Chapter Twenty-One

Savage Sanctuary Island, Simon

A dull throb persisted in Simon’s arm, but eating Yolanda’s good food made him feel better. He circled his shoulder to be sure he could still use it. The ache was there but workable.

“You shouldn’t do that,” Sarah said. “It might start bleeding again.”

“I need to get the cats back in their pens and find the other hunter,” he replied, puffing his chest out a bit to let her know he wasn’t hurt badly.

“What will you do to the hunter?” Paige asked.

Simon shrugged, then winced slightly at the ache it caused. He could use the arm, and that’s what mattered. The hunter had proved how dangerous he was to the girls and to the cats. Simon had to do something about it, but he wasn’t sure what. He also didn’t want the girls involved because it would be bad for them. There was an injured cat running around the island, which made it more dangerous if it were still alive.

Then, there was Jerry. That caused the biggest dilemma for Simon. He’d considered him a savior for so long. He didn’t like Jerry and understood now that Jerry was a bad person. But Simon knew he owed him for giving him a home.

No, his shoulder wasn’t the problem. Stopping the bad things that happened at the sanctuary was.

“Will you kill him?” Paige pushed.

“Stop that,” said Misty. “No one is killing anyone.” Her eyes snapped to Simon with a look of apology. “It’s not your fault the hunter died.” Her eyes shifted to Indra and her voice trailed off.

“Those men would have hurt us,” Paige insisted. “We have the right to defend ourselves, and they even shot Simon. He has the biggest reason to defend himself.” She crossed her arms and stared belligerently.

“Thou shall not kill,” Misty stated and knew the second the words left her lips she shouldn’t have said them.

“Wake up, miss pearly pants,” Paige shot back. “Simon tossed a man over a cliff, and the tiger finished it. It was him or us, and if there is a God, he would know it too.”

Misty stared. This was the Paige she knew from school. A grin split her face.

“What’s that for?” Paige demanded.

“You’ve been acting strange, but now you’re the Paige that led our escape from that horrible place.”

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