Page 53 of Hidden Ascent

“This way,”Jay said to Isla as he crouched to climb into an open window to a basement.

She followed behind him. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.” He moved away from the window into the dark. She clung to the back of his shirt so she didn’t lose him.

He opened a door and kept moving forward, but it was still too dark to see. She was completely at his mercy as he took several turns.

“Do you even know—”

“Shh.”

It wasn’t until they climbed a staircase that the light returned. Jay opened a door, and they found themselves in an empty room.

“This way,” Jay said, opening a heavy door that led into an alley.

They climbed a tall fence before going into another building, where they found themselves in a room stacked with boxes. Jay didn’t stop.

Through another door, they entered a small shop full of gifts. Jay waved at the woman standing behind the counter. She offered her own weak and confused wave as she watched them exit out the front.

After crossing the street, Jay led Isla into a parking garage where he didn’t stop until they’d climbed the stairs and finally paused on the second floor of the building.

“Wait here,” Jay said before walking up the first couple of rows of cars. When he returned to Isla, he dropped to the ground.

Isla crouched down beside him. “What are you looking for?”

“Signs of life. I don’t want to get snuck up on. Looks like we’re clear.”

“I don’t think anyone could have followed us through that maze you took us through. I don’t even know where we are.”

“We’re safe.” Jay closed his eyes, and his lips moved. Then he looked at her. “You okay? You’re not injured?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good. Baker will be back on his feet by now. We’ll have to keep a very low profile. No more fundraisers for you.”

She blinked. “What are you even doing here?”

“I thought I was saving your life.”

“You did. But why?”

“That’s an odd question.”

“The reason I ran at the fundraiser was so you could escape.”

“I did. I just gave Whitlock some tips before I did.”

“Why are you here?”

“Should I not be? Would you rather I left you with Baker?”

“No. What I don’t understand is why you came back. Why risk your life for me? What if we were caught back there?”

“So, you’re upset because I came back to save you instead of saving myself?”

“I’m not upset. I’m confused.”

“Wouldn’t you have done the same thing ifIwas the one in trouble?”

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