Page 66 of Death Valley

Have I always been just a few wrong steps away from madness?

For a long moment, Jensen says nothing, his expression unreadable in the flickering firelight. Then, slowly, he nods.

“Okay,” he says simply. “I’ll take you.”

The promise settles between us, as solemn as a vow. As binding as blood.

As dangerous as the hunger that waits in the dark.

19

JENSEN

The cabin is quiet in the faint light of dawn, save for the soft crackling of the fire I just stoked and the occasional creak of timber as the cabin settles. The storm blew itself out sometime in the early hours, leaving behind a world transformed—pristine drifts piled high against the windows, tree branches sagging under their white burden, the sky above clearing to a perfect, painful blue.

It would be beautiful if not for the weight of dread sitting like a stone in my gut.

I check my watch—5:47 a.m. Early, but we need to move soon if we’re going to make it back to the ranch before nightfall. Looking up, I see Aubrey emerge from the small bathroom, already dressed in layers, her face scrubbed clean, eyes rimmed red from crying or lack of sleep. Probably both.

“Morning,” I offer, keeping my voice low to avoid waking the others upstairs.

She doesn’t respond, just moves to her sleeping bag and begins rolling it with mechanical precision. The message is clear: she’s not speaking to me unless absolutely necessary.

Can’t say I blame her. I’ve been lying to her since the day she showed up at the ranch, withholding the truth about Lainey, about what happened three years ago in these mountains. About my part in all of it. They’re not the only lies I’ve been holding back but they’re the ones that have mattered the most.

They’re the ones that have broken us apart, whateverusthere was.

I busy myself with breakfast, setting a pot of coffee to boil and laying out provisions from our supplies. Simple tasks to fill the silence, to avoid staring at her and the way her shoulders stay rigid with tension every time I move near her.

Last night, after our confrontation—after I’d finally told her the truth about Lainey and Adam, about taking them into these mountains, about losing them to whatever lurks in the caves—Aubrey had been adamant. She wanted to see the place where it happened. Needed to understand what her sister found, what compelled her to follow the path that led to her disappearance.

I’d reluctantly agreed, though every instinct screams it’s a mistake. The caves beyond Benson Hut and into Soda Springs are a death trap in the best conditions, even without throwing feral people into the mix. With them hunting us, following us…it’s suicide.

But I owe Aubrey this. I failed Lainey. I won’t fail Aubrey too, even if it means following her into the darkness. I’ll be there to protect her, or die trying.

Heavy footsteps on the stairs announce the others waking. Cole descends first, hair matted from sleep, followed by Red and Eli. Their expressions are grim, the reality of Hank’s disappearance weighing on all of us.

Because of course, he’s still gone, and his absence is heavy.

“Coffee,” Cole mutters, making a beeline for the pot.

Red stretches, joints popping. “Some night. Never thought I’d be glad to see dawn in this place.”

“Everything went fine during the night?” Eli asks. His gaze bounces between me and Aubrey, curious. She’s very obviously ignoring me. I try to give him a look that says that I told her everything and he gives me a subtle, sympathetic nod.

“We need to pack up,” I announce, after everyone’s had time for coffee and a quick breakfast of instant oatmeal. “Hit the trail back to the ranch before the snow gets too soft. Could mean early avalanches.”

“About damn time,” Red says, already gathering his gear. “Should’ve headed back yesterday.”

Cole nods his agreement. “Whole trip’s been pointless. No offense, ma’am,” he adds to Aubrey. “But your sister’s long gone, one way or another.”

A flash of pain crosses Aubrey’s face, though it’s quickly masked. “I’m not going back yet,” she says, her voice steady despite the strain in her posture. “We’re continuing to Benson Hut.”

The room goes still, all eyes turning to her.

“No way in hell,” Red says flatly. “Hank’s gone. Probably dead. We’re not sticking around for whatever got him to come back for seconds and thirds.”

“I agree with Red,” Cole adds with a frown. “It’s not safe up here. I say we cut our losses and head back.”

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