Page 63 of Always Be an Us

I sigh and shut my eyes, considering what to do now. I suppose I can start heading back out, but from the darkness of the clouds, I doubt the rain is going to let up any time soon. And it would be massively unsafe to journey down a hill this steep in this kind of weather, especially since I’m so unfamiliar with the terrain. The best thing to do would be to search for shelter.

And where do I even start?

Me and a pal of mine used to go hunting and we would stay overnight.

Rick mentioned staying here on multi-day trips. Which means, there has to be shelter somewhere close to this stream. Of course, that could be in either direction, and it would be lucky if I were to find it before the rain starts.

But it's better than standing here looking like an idiot.

Suddenly, a very human-sounding cry breaks through the quiet. It echoes through the forest, and I almost think I imagined it, but then it arrives again.

A ghost?

I start heading toward the sound and the closer I get, the more I realize that the ghost is swearing. And also seems to be walking.

And then, "Declan!"

Emma?

It can't be. Emma wouldn't be here.

But then it comes again. "Declan."

"Emma." It's unmistakably her voice. I start down the hill, following her voice, heart beating. All of a sudden dread floods me. I wasn’t too worried when it was just me stuck here. I've survived worse.

But what the fuck is Emma doing here? It's too dangerous.

I burst onto the scene and see her bracing one hand against a rock, about to climb up a devilishly steep incline. Her legs aren’t quite long enough to make the stretch, but she’s going to attempt it anyway. I can tell from the determined little bite on her lip.

"Emma."

She glances up with surprise in her eyes. At the same time, her legs slip out from below her, and she screams, falling.

"Shit." I dash and throw myself underneath her, catching her before she hits the large rock behind her. I pivot away from it, but the force of catching her slams me back against a tree.

I absorb all the impact with a grunt.

"Caw!" A flock of birds takes flight from the tree we just hit. I clutch Emma tight, holding her until I'm sure we're stable. My heart is racing and I barely catch my breath when I ask, "Are you all right?"

"I think so."

She sounds pretty breathless herself, but it might be from the awkward way she’s sprawled in my arms, with my arm supporting one leg and the rest of her splayed open. She attempts to drop the leg to the ground but the minute she puts a little weight on it, she winces and bites out a cry.

"What’s wrong?" I immediately lift her off her feet.

She shakes her head, her eyes squeezed shut from the pain.

"Nothing. It’s just that I think I might have twisted my ankle."

"Twisted your– Damn it, Emma, what the fuck are you even doing here in the first place?" My worry turns into anger that bleeds into my voice. "It's dark and this place is dangerous. Why would you wander in here, at this time, especially when it looks like it's going to pour?"

"I should be asking you that question." She looks incredulous with just a touch of annoyance. "I came here to find you."

"To find me?

"Yeah. Rick told me that you were in here looking for Rainbow Pearls. You're not familiar with the Ashton Woods. It's even more dangerous for you to be here."

I blink at her, unable to believe what she's saying. I can’t believe she came all this way and risked her life to find me, because she thought I wouldn't be okay. I'm touched and insulted all at once.

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