Page 60 of Unleash You

“She knows why we’re here. She’ll cover for us.” Wesley put his arm around me and ushered me into the SUV. He climbed in behind me and pulled me into his arms.

I relaxed immediately. As scared as I was, at least I was here with Wesley. With him, I had a real shot at finding my brother. The drive down to Catatumbo was pleasant with well-maintained roads, tall palm trees, and other plants I didn’t recognize. Why did I think I’d find the place in total ruin? “It’s beautiful here.” I peered out the window.

“I never said it wasn’t.”

“You said it was a dangerous place,” I corrected.

“You go looking for trouble. Trouble will find you.” He held me tighter. “Anabelle, out here, you have to listen to me and do as I say.”

“I will. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be the most obedient wife.”

He chuckled. “That was necessary.”

“I know.”

Charlie and Wesley had upset the local cartel. If word got out that Charlie’s sister was in town, who knew what they would do to me. Was Wesley’s wife any safer? We drove the rest of the way in silence. Even when we arrived at the small fishing village, both Mack and Wesley worked together as if they had a telepathic connection between them. I felt like a puppy, staying close by wherever Wesley went.

He helped me onto a motorized boat that looked like a canoe. Before I could take in the village or memorize any detail of it, we set out upriver in search of Charlie. It was surreal to think that only twelve hours ago, I’d been in bed with Wesley back in Atlanta. Now I was on a boat cutting through the Venezuelan jungle looking for my brother.

Night fell right around the time my butt fell asleep too. As serene as the ride had been up until now, with a drizzle of warm rain, the moment the sun disappeared in the horizon, the world around became alive with sounds of wildlife I hardly recognized. The cicadas reminded of me home; the rest told me I was so far from it.

“Look up.” Wesley squeezed my upper arm.

I did and was almost blinded by four bolts of continuous lightning that poured straight from a cloud down into the lake. They lasted for several seconds and then were gone in an instant. “What was that?”

“Catatumbo lightning. It’s an atmospheric phenomenon you only see here where the river meets the Maracaibo Lake.” Wesley reached for my hand. “I never thought I’d get to show you this.”

“Now I remember. You mentioned it before in your letters. You didn’t do it justice.” Another lighting strike slithered across the sky like a loose snake. It was scary and beautiful. Mother Nature’s own version of chiaroscuro.

“I wasn’t here for the local attractions. We need to get off the river. It isn’t safe.” Wesley nodded at Mack, who sat patiently and not at all impressed by the display ahead. He’d lived in the area for the past eight months. This was normal to him.

With expert maneuvering, Mack glided the canoe to the riverbank and helped Wesley unload. I repeated Charlie’s name in my head because with every step and passing moment, I kept forgetting why I was here in a place where I didn’t belong.

“This way.” Mack pointed the way with his flashlight.

He ushered us down a makeshift path covered in moss and sticks. Parts of the jungle floor were like walking on a spongy surface, while others felt solid under my boots. The warm rain pelted my face and clothes. About a mile later, we reached a campsite.

“Home sweet home.” Mack did a little curtsy for me.

“Cozy,” I mumbled, placing a hand under my nose. The stench of sweat, mold, and dead fish lingered in the air.This is for Charlie. This is for Charlie.

“It’ll keep you dry.” Wesley dropped our stuff under the tent and settled in against it.

This part wasn’t too bad. To be sharing this spectacular place with Wesley. How many times did he sit in a place like this one to write letters to me? A smile spread across my lips as I snuggled close to him while Mack built a fire meant to keep critters away.

I fell asleep thinking of Charlie. Lightning flashed silently around us, and my eyes flew open in time to see a man towering over us with a deep scowl across his face.

Charlie.

16

Go Home and Never Come Back

Wesley

Charlie glared at Anabelle and me. Water dripped from wet tresses down to his face. He stood there frozen with a hint of disdain in his eyes. I loosened my grip on my blade anyway. This was Charlie. My brother.

Rising to my feet, I considered shielding Anabelle from him. She didn’t know the type of person he’d become. The years after his parents died made him hard, if not somewhat cynical. Of course, Anabelle didn’t give me a choice. She stood and ran to hug Charlie.

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