Page 21 of Cavern of Silence

"Is there something wrong with your ears?" Hunter asks.

"You two have your boy fight. I'm going to check on Vanessa and Julieta," Zoe says.

"I didn't do anything," Hunter insists.

Zoe briefly smiles. "I understand how Julieta gets. She and I have gone head-to-head before. But she's dealing with things we aren't."

My pulse spikes and I ignore Zoe's jab at how Julieta gets. I'm sure Zoe isn't innocent, either. I saw enough of her attitude last night between her and Dirk. But I need to know what kinds of "things" Julieta is dealing with. "Like what?"

"You'll have to get that information from her. I don't know any details."

Hunter snaps at Zoe for not telling us, and they go back and forth. Zoe puts Hunter in his place, and it isn't long before Hunter seems to have no problem apologizing to Zoe. He even admits he can be a dick sometimes.

Why can't he realize what he just did to Julieta and tell her he's sorry, too? He can do it with Zoe but not Julieta? That's bullshit.

When Zoe goes into the tent, Dirk points to the fire. "I think those pancakes are burnt."

We rush over and pull them off the fire.

I hand Hunter a bowl, and we silently make up. "Guess we're on food duty."

We cook breakfast for the crew, but all I keep wondering is what are the things Julieta is dealing with?

What did they do to her?

Is she ever going to trust me enough to tell me?

I want to help her get past whatever demons she has. But I'm not sure if she'll ever trust me enough to break her silence and let me.

5

Julieta

After breakfast,Dirk and Axel leave to pick up clothes for us. Ryker and I go for a walk.

"Did you find out where they are taking us yet?"

"They said you're all to go back to your home countries, except for Naomi. She is to go to the United States."

I stop. "So Interpol is part of the Global Leaders?"

"Julieta, if I'm going to help you, I need to know who these Global Leaders are."

"I can't—"

He puts his finger over my lips. "I'm here to help you, and whatever you say is between us. But I need to know."

I grapple with telling him. The desire to trust someone is strong, but I've been proven wrong in who I choose in every aspect of my life. My chest tightens and the air becomes thick in my lungs.

He steps closer. "It's you and me right now. No one else."

"I want to tell you," I whisper.

"Then tell me."

"I'm... I'm scared."

He nods. "I know. But I need to know. And I'm never going to hurt you."