Page 67 of Lost Paradise

The others call out to him, but when he doesn’t respond, they start running towards him. This island is weird as fuck, and I’m not following them.

Mr. Coldwell picks up a torn khaki-colored fabric, waves it at us, and I follow over to join them.

“Is this from either of you?” he asks, observing Byron and Eve.

They all check out their clothes, but none are wearing anything matching the piece he holds.

“Astro?” Zane asks.

“It must be,” Byron says, looking around at our surroundings. “But why was here so far from camp?”

“Did you guys get into a fight last night?” Eve asks, and I tilt my head at her because I didn’t miss the concern in her voice.

“You know how it is with Astro. Last night, he took one step too far with everyone and his snarky remarks,” Mr. Coldwell says, putting the jersey strip of fabric in his pocket.

“Maybe he was looking to get back to the side he swam ashore,” Eve says. “I wouldn’t put it past the bastard that some plane stuff ended there, and he’s been keeping it quiet from us.”

It's quite a possibility, and Eve has Astro almost down to a T. She says she isn’t naturally smart, but I beg to disagree with her theory.

“We’ll wait until sundown,” Mr. Coldwell says. “If Astro doesn’t return, then we’ll need to send a search party to locate the natives' main camp to see if we can find any trace that Astro’s been kidnapped.”

“Bastard is probably with them trading arrogance tips,” Byron mutters, causing a little laughter from all of us.

“But where do we search for their camp?” Eve asks skeptically. “They could be anywhere, and maybe they have booby traps set up.

“I know how to get to their camp,” I say, and all four pairs of eyes land on me and remain speechless.

Chapter 21

How could they beso reckless? So careless of their own lives?

“Who else has been roaming the island on their own?” I ask as my gaze sweeps over the group. Jack seems completely oblivious, lost in his own world, and blind to the potential consequence of his actions by infiltrating the natives' territory on his own.

I can feel the tension coiling in my muscles, my frustration reaching new bounds. My fingers twitch, longing to reach out and shake some sense into them to make them understand the gravity of their choices. But I know that wouldn't solve anything. They’re a stubborn bunch, driven by their own desires and impulses, deaf to reason in the heat of the moment.

“At some point, curiosity would have wanted us to explore the entire island. We’re stuck here, and Astro says there are cannibals. Shouldn’t we at least have tried to confirm what he was saying was true?” Zane asks.

“That sacrifice altar is a clear indication that people once inhabited the island. What happened to those people?” Byron questions.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes briefly, trying to steady my racing thoughts as this lot carry on as if this is some airsoft mission. I can't afford to lose control now, not when their lives depend on me keeping a level head. With a resigned sigh, I step forward, my voice cutting through the roar of the flames, edging my sanity.

"Enough," I bark, my tone sharp with authority. "We need to get out of here, now."

As I speak, frustration coils like a viper in my chest, threatening to burst forth in a torrent of words I can't take back. But even as I meet their gazes, I see theresistance, the stubbornness etched in the lines of their faces.

“Not without Astro,” Eve's voice cuts through the tension, her tone firm, her eyes blazing with determination.

My jaw tightens, a muscle ticking in response to her defiance.

“You’re going nowhere near the cannibals’ camp,” I reply, the words clipped with an edge of warning.

“Why? Because I’m a woman?” Her retort is sharp, laced with anger and accusation.

“Because I’m responsible for you,” I counter, my voice heavy with the weight of my duty. “You have no fighting skills. Those savages are strong, barbaric—”

“Screw you!” Eve's interruption is like a slap to the face, her frustration boiling over as she turns on her heel and starts walking away, her intense defiance moving with every step she takes deeper into the jungle.

“Eve!” I call out, desperation creeping into my tone, but she ignores me, her determination unyielding. “Evelyn Winters!”

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