Page 29 of Cavern of Silence
Axel and Penelope leave.
"Ready?" Ryker asks.
"Yes."
"Ryker, what the hell is going on?" A man I've never seen before steps out of the trees.
Ryker's voice lowers. "Kalim."
My stomach drops.
Kalim barks, "Where is everyone?"
"The river," Ryker nonchalantly replies.
"I was just at the river. No one is there," Kalim insists.
"Maybe they went for a hike."
"Everyone is to stay in the camp area unless they go to the river and Andre is informed. You know that."
Hunter and Vanessa come outside. The three men argue back and forth. Vanessa and I nervously watch it.
Kalim realizes we're leaving. "You don't know what you're doing. Interpol is going to have your ass."
"Kalim, go back to guarding the perimeter," Ryker sternly orders.
Kalim raises his eyebrows. "I'm not letting you ruin your lives."
You shouldn't be letting Ryker destroy his life over you. Yours is already ruined. His isn't.
"We're men. We make our own decisions," Ryker states.
Kalim turns and gets to the tent then puts his phone to his ear.
"Damn it," Ryker mutters. "Jeep, now."
He guides me to the vehicle and gets in the driver's side. "Put your seat belts on, ladies."
Kalim turns. "What are you doing?" he yells and starts running toward another SUV.
"He doesn't know when to stop, does he?" Hunter grumbles and reaches into his bag and pulls out a gun.
"What are you doing?" Ryker asks.
Kalim gets in and starts the Jeep and takes off.
"Buying us time. Cover your ears and get down," Hunter yells. He stands up and braces himself against the top bar, aims at Kalim's tire, and shoots.
"What the hell," Ryker yells.
More gunshots ring through the air. I bury my face in my knees, and I wrap my arm around Vanessa. I'm not sure if she or I am shaking harder.
"Jesus, Hunter!" Ryker barks.
I regain my composure after several minutes of silence, but Vanessa is twisting her hands in her lap and trembling harder. I keep my arm around her, trying to calm her so she doesn't go into another panic attack, but it's no use. She's in one.
After several miles, Hunter tells Ryker, "Pull over.”
