Page 71 of Explorer's Revenge
“Do you remember the plan?” Logan asks.
“Of course. Distract the monster croc.” I smirk. “What could possibly go wrong?”
“If we make it through this, I’ll tell Maeve as well, that way both your boyfriend and girlfriend will reward your bravery,” Rick teases before grunting as Wilder and Logan smack the back of his head.
I grin, though, just like he wanted, and remove the bag Way handed me and give it to them. I need to move fast, which means carrying as few belongings as possible. It outweighs the fact that I might need those supplies if we get separated.
Heading to the entrance, I leap onto the rock to the right of it and glance over, waiting for Wilder to take his spot on the opposite side of the cave entrance to give me a chance to get away. It’s all about diversion.
Way takes Wilder’s place, however, his dark eyes locked on me. “Don’t you dare fucking die.”
“Back at you,” I call as he starts to smack the water, the ripples drawing its attention.
Way nods at me, and I turn toward the entrance, trusting in him to warn me as I grip the edge of the rock, ready to dive. I know it could be lurking right there, waiting with its mouth open, and adrenaline makes my heart pump faster until it’s all I can hear. When Way yells, I don’t look at him, blindly trusting him, before I dive into the water. As soon as I hit it, I swim as fast as I can toward the trees. I feel something big turn behind me as my team shouts to keep its attention, but I don’t look back as I push myself harder.
I need to do this for them.
I have been a victim, a survivor, my entire life, enduring but never saving myself. Today, I will. I will save them and me.
Once I reach the trees, slogging from the remaining water, I start to run. I hear it splashing behind me and spare a glanceback to see it sliding out of the water to give chase. That menacing maw is parted in a hiss, revealing huge, wicked teeth. I don’t have long, but it’s the break they need, and by now, they will be in the water too. We plan to meet up ahead, splitting its focus. It’s the only chance we have.
There’s a slight incline ahead, so I push myself faster, jumping toward it and digging my fingers into the mud as I drag myself up the hill. There’s a roar behind me and a crack, and I glance down to see it lurking below, snapping at my legs. If I slip, I’m dead. Turning forward, I dig my fingers in until I feel my nails break and pull myself up and over, rolling across the rim, and then I’m on my feet again, running as fast as I can. I run so far, I don’t even know how much time has passed until I slow and turn.
It’s not there.
I must have lost it, or it went after the others. I send up a prayer, hoping they are okay, but like they trusted me, I have to trust them. Bending over, I suck in some slow breaths, trying to tame my hammering heart. My legs shake now that it’s over, as do my arms, and I inspect my fingers to see blood and dirt covering them, but if it’s the only injury I have, then I’m fine with that.
Standing straight, I let out the whistle we use when we’re exploring and wait for the return signal. When it doesn’t come, I start to worry. Maybe they are delayed. I pace for a minute, watching the jungle in case the monster is there, but there’s only the usual din of other wildlife. No whistle. No croc.
That only makes my concern grow.
I whistle once more, and when there’s no response this time, I decide I’m not waiting around to find out. As I dive into the trees, I make a whole lot of noise, knowing the risk it poses, but I need to get to them. I need to make sure they are okay. I havea general idea of which direction they went, so I travel that way, praying they are safe.
I’ve never felt anything like this terror before.
Not when my mom beat me or when her and her friends used to rape me.
I meant what I said—I can’t live without them. Not just Way, but all of them. They are my family. If anything happens to them . . .
I sprint through the jungle, their names leaving my lips in desperate puffs of air that turn into screams until I smack into something hard.
Arms wrap around me, and then lips are on mine. I pull back to see Way. He’s wet and sweaty but alive. I run my hands over him as he pulls me closer and kisses me again. When we break apart this time, I turn and find the others, panting and wet but okay.
“Please don’t greet me like that,” Rick teases. “I’m not secure enough to withstand that kind of kiss.”
“You’re okay.” Tears fill my eyes. “I was so worried when I didn’t hear your response.”
“Sorry, we got caught up,” Wilder whispers. “Fucker came out of nowhere. We had to sidetrack. We only just outran it.”
“Uh, no, we haven’t,” Logan says helpfully, and we turn as the trees start to shake, the ground below us quivering. “We should get moving, like now. I don’t want to be croc chow today. I refuse to die until I’ve tasted Maeve Carter.”
“Fuck,” Wilder grumbles, but he shoves Way and me past him, and then we run as the sounds catch up to us, and we know we are being hunted.
“What is it, the fucking Terminator?” Rick whispers. “It’s always there, never giving up. Honestly, is it that hungry or just fucking pissed at us?”
“Probably both,” Wilder replies. “We invaded its territory, but it’s unnaturally vicious.”
“It’s also unnaturally large,” Logan adds.
