Page 18 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

“Not entirely sure. We’ve had some sightings lately like the one near the park station, but I feel that gunshot was used to steer him toward us. Perhaps by the figure you captured in your photo. I saw someone dash through the trees.”

“What?” Her heart caught in her throat. “PCK?”

“Possibly. Whoever it was used the grizzly as a weapon.”

Blaire tugged a bobby pin from her hair, pulled her ponytail tighter and tucked the pin under her scrunchie.

“Do those really help hold your hair in place?”

“Yup, among other things.” Blaire always carried one on her at all times—either in her hair or her pocket—ever since she’d been abducted and handcuffed to a pole by the traffickers. After her father saved her, he had trained her on how to use it to free herself. A weapon so simple yet effective.

Dekker’s radio squawked a garbled message. He unclipped the device. “Come again.”

“Dek, where are you?”

He stopped and placed his foot up on a rock. “Jayla, we’re back to the river bank. Got caught in the storm. The cave was empty.”

“Not surprised. Seemed too easy.”

“Where are you guys?”

Blaire analyzed the river where they had stopped. The previously wide body of water had narrowed. Various size rocks protruded out of the water, revealing the river’s shallowness, but the color deepened farther downstream.

“The station. There’s another storm brewing. You best get back here quickly, Dek. This one is promising more power than the last. Wildfire crews are on standby as the fork-lightning may spark fires, and they want to be ready.” Jayla’s voice hitched.

“Jayla, Dad will be okay. He’s in a cave, so he’ll be protected.”

Did they still believe that, or was Dekker trying to make his sister feel better?

“I know, and God’s got him. Get back here, bro. The storms are predicted to hamper our search for the rest of today.”

Dekker hissed out a breath. “On our way.”

“Good. Stay safe.”

He placed his hands on his hips and studied the sky. “She’s right. Those clouds are coming in fast.”

“What’s our quickest way back to the station?”

Dekker pointed to the rocks. “We need to cross the river.”

Her legs jellied. “No way. I can’t do it, Dek.” She couldn’t relive her childhood nightmare.

“You’ll be fine.” He grasped her arm and squeezed. “I’ll go first. I know these rocks and have crossed here plenty of times so I could take the shortcut to the station.”

A tear expelled down her cheek, and she chewed on her lip. “I can’t.” Why was she so afraid? It’s not like she couldn’t swim.

“Trust me. You can, Blaire. If we don’t cross here, we’ll have to go all the way around, and the storm is approaching quickly.” He gestured to the other side. “This will cut forty minutes off our trek back.”

She drew in a huge breath and expelled slowly. You’ve got this.

“You good?”

She nodded.

“Okay, watch me first.” He advanced onto the first rock then hopped to the second, third, fourth, almost to the other side…

A shadowy figure emerged from the tree line, pointing a weapon.

“Dek—”

A shotgun blast silenced her warning.

She was too late.

Dekker dropped into the water, hitting his head on the rock. He lay face down as the rapids carried him downstream before wedging him between two rocks.

“No!” Panic seized Blaire’s heart as hairs spiked on her arms, catapulting a chilly realization her way.

She had to save Dekker.

***

Blaire ignored her racing heartbeat and searched the tree line to ensure the shooter was gone.

If she skipped over the rocks, she’d be an easy target and unable to save Dekker.

Thankfully, the gunman had retreated into the forest. However, that didn’t mean he wasn’t still watching and waiting for the right opportunity to take her out too.

But Dekker didn’t have much time, and she had to risk exposing herself to save him. Please, God. Keep us safe.

She pondered the rock formations as the scene from her childhood bullrushed her, locking her muscles. Perspiration formed on her forehead, and her fingers turned clammy.

“Come on, Blaire, you can do this. He needs you.” She wiggled out of her backpack.

It would weigh her down, so she had to leave it.

She inhaled deeply and mustered courage, stepping onto the first rock.

Then the next and next, heading in the direction the current had taken Dekker, close to the other side of the river.

Almost there. One more to go, but it was farther away. She’d have to jump.

Blaire hesitated.

Dekker is running out of time. Don’t think. Jump!

She held her breath, leaped onto the rock and swayed.

She raised her arms out to steady herself and find her balance.

Blaire slowly lowered onto the rock and grabbed the back of Dekker’s collar, turning him over so his face was out of the water.

Blood and river water intermingled and dripped from his head. No! “Come on, Dekker, wake up.”

Blaire checked the distance to the shore. Close, but how would she carry him? He was too heavy for her to lift. She’d have to swim the rest of the way and tow him to the riverbank. She peeked over the side but couldn’t gage the water’s depth. God, give me strength.

Holding on to Dekker’s collar, she held her breath and slipped into the water.

And sank.

They both went under. Blaire’s mouth filled with water.

Instinct took over, and she kicked hard, emerging back to the surface with Dekker. She coughed and spewed out water before gasping for breaths. Blaire swam, tugging Dekker face up. Come on, Blaire. Kick!

She fought against the current, but after what felt like forever but in reality was only a few seconds, Blaire’s feet touched the bottom and she stood.

She grasped Dekker under both of his arms, willed strength into her jelly-like legs and dragged him to the stony beach.

She slipped off his soggy backpack and dropped to her knees, placing her fingers on his neck. Faint pulse. She checked his breathing.

Nothing.

“Come on, Dek. Don’t do this to me!”

She gently tilted his head back and lifted his chin, pinching his nostrils. She placed her mouth on his, giving him rescue breaths, and checked his chest.

Nothing.

She checked his pulse again. Still faint. Blaire gave him more rescue breaths then watched his chest.

Nothing.

“Please, Dek!”

She repeated the process as a rustling sounded in the forest nearby.

No! Lord, keep us safe and bring Dekker back.