Page 16 of Echos and Empires (After #3)
EIGHT
The jagged coastline seemed even more deadly than usual with the waves pounding against it.
Liam adjusted his glasses to prevent them from sliding off his nose as he leaned forward to get a better look.
Since Chris had finally stopped hounding him to get the corrective surgery, the last thing he needed was to lose his damn glasses randomly and start that shit back up.
Ranger trotted eagerly at his side, tail wagging. “Ready to keep mapping out this island, buddy?” Liam asked, patting the lab’s glossy black head. Ranger barked in agreement, his amber eyes bright.
He’d been at the last for the last three months, but there was too much space to cover to do it quickly. He’d easily completed the outer maps and identified escape routes, but the interior of the island was far more vast.
They set off along the rocky shore, trekking to the spot where they’d turn and dive inland.
Liam mentally noted the placement of distinctive boulders and the angle of the rising cliffs that seemed different with the waves lapping higher.
His boots crunched on the coarse sand and pebbles.
Having Ranger along brought a smile to his face, the dog’s presence a comforting constant in this strange new territory.
He could have written it all down, but he preferred to take a few discovery laps and tours before beginning. Plus, there were already maps of the island. What he needed was the location of places to hide or escape from should the need arise.
Alex hadn’t found anything at the clinic, but it had only been a week.
There was still time. Still a need for a evacuation route.
As he and Ranger rounded a bend, Liam paused, examining a gnarled, wind-twisted tree clinging to the cliff face. Its exposed roots would make a perfect marker for this spot. He filed the image away in his mind, one more piece of the island’s puzzle falling into place.
Liam glanced down at his hand, tracing a finger over the tattoo on the back — his star with their initials. The mark bound him to the others, a symbol of their unbreakable connection. Out here, exploring uncharted areas far from camp, that bond felt more important than ever.
Ranger suddenly paused, one paw raised, ears perked. Liam tensed. “What is it, boy?” he whispered. The dog remained still, gazing intently ahead. Unease prickled Liam’s skin. They were venturing into the unknown now.
Proceeding with caution, Liam placed each step carefully, skirting loose scree and staying low.
Whatever had caught Ranger’s attention, Liam trusted the dog’s instincts.
His heart beat faster as unfamiliar terrain rose before them.
Inhaling deeply, he pushed down his apprehension, squared his shoulders, and pressed deeper into the island.
The rugged path twisted unexpectedly, revealing a hidden cove nestled against the island’s rocky shore.
Liam drew in a sharp breath, taken aback by the sudden discovery.
Sheer cliffs embraced the secluded inlet, casting deep shadows across the narrow strip of sand.
The air hung heavy with the briny scent of the sea, mingling with an inexplicable sense of foreboding that sent a shiver down Liam’s spine.
“Just you and me, Buddy,” Liam said, reaching down to ruffle Ranger’s ears. The dog’s tail wagged in response, his amber eyes gleaming with unconditional loyalty. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
Liam’s natural navigation skills came in far more handy than the compass attached to his waist. He studied the position of the sun, using its arc to gauge their direction.
The sound of the waves crashing against the shore served as a constant reminder of their proximity to the ocean, a natural landmark that guided their path.
Liam’s movements were cautious, his senses heightened as they ventured into less familiar areas.
He scanned the surroundings, taking mental notes of distinctive rock formations and unusual plant life.
“Remember this spot, Ranger,” he said, pointing to a gnarled tree that stood out among the foliage.
“It’ll be a good reference point for our map. ”
Ranger sniffed the ground, his nose twitching as he investigated the new scents. Liam couldn’t help but smile at the dog’s curiosity.
“You’re a natural explorer, aren’t you?” He chuckled, watching as Ranger bounded ahead, his tail held high.
As they walked, Liam’s thoughts drifted to his little brother, the memory of his desire to train guide dogs resurfacing.
He imagined the pride he would have felt seeing Ranger’s unwavering loyalty and keen senses put to such noble use.
“You would have made an excellent guide dog, Ranger,” he murmured, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips.
The terrain grew more challenging as they ventured further, the path narrowing and the footing becoming more treacherous. Liam’s cautious nature took over, his steps measured and deliberate. He kept a watchful eye on Ranger, ensuring that the dog navigated the obstacles safely.
“Easy there, boy,” Liam called out as Ranger scrambled over a particularly steep rock. “We don’t want any twisted paws out here.” He knew Ranger couldn’t understand him, but talking to him made Liam more comfortable, less alone.
One thing that hadn’t changed in the time they’d lived on the island was the exhilaration of seeing all the beauty and wonder every time he went out.
The island’s untamed beauty, with its rugged cliffs and lush greenery, filled him with a sense of wonder.
He knew that by mapping its contours and uncovering its secrets, he was not only satisfying his own curiosity but also contributing to the safety and well-being of his companions.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Liam paused to take a swig from his water bottle, the cool liquid providing a welcome respite from the heat. Ranger flopped down beside him, panting heavily but looking utterly content.
“We make a good team, don’t we, Ranger?” Liam said, scratching behind the dog’s ears. “Let’s see what other secrets this island has in store for us.”
The island’s interior still stretched out before them, a challenge waiting to be conquered.
Liam’s breath caught in his throat as he stumbled upon a hidden cove, its entrance obscured by a curtain of dense foliage.
The secluded inlet was bathed in an ethereal light, the turquoise water lapping gently against the pristine white sand.
For a moment, he stood transfixed, his eyes drinking in the breathtaking sight before him.
As he stepped closer, a sense of foreboding crept up his spine, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.
There was an unnatural stillness to the cove, as if even the wind feared to disturb its secretive nature.
Ranger, too, seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, his ears pricked forward and his body tense with anticipation.
Curiosity battled with caution as Liam edged forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he should turn back, return to the safety of the known path, but the allure of discovery proved too strong to resist. With each step, the feeling of unease grew, a palpable pressure that threatened to suffocate him.
And then he saw them.
A group of figures huddled together.
Then he heard them, their voices low and urgent.
Among them was a face he recognized with chilling clarity.
Victor Warrington.
The man whose very name sent shivers down the spines of those who knew his reputation. The man who had orchestrated unspeakable atrocities in the name of power and control.
Liam’s blood ran cold as he realized the gravity of his discovery.
He had stumbled upon something far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
His mind raced with the implications, the potential threat to their fragile community.
If Victor was here, on their island, then everything they had built, the peace they had fought so hard to achieve, was at risk.
What the hell is he doing here? Liam thought, his mind reeling with the possibilities. And who are those people with him?
Liam’s mind raced, piecing together the fragments of the scene unfolding in the cove.
Victor’s involvement could only mean one thing—their refuge was no longer secure.
The island’s secrets ran deeper than any of them had ever imagined, and Liam had unwittingly stumbled upon a truth that could shatter their fragile peace.
His heart pounded against his ribcage as he grappled with the weight of his discovery.
Liam knew he had to act fast, to find a way to protect his team from the looming threat.
But first, he needed to learn more, to gather whatever information he could.
With a deep breath, he steeled himself and crept closer, his senses on high alert, ready to uncover the sinister purpose behind Victor’s presence in their sanctuary.
One wrong move, one careless sound, and he would be discovered. His life and the lives of those he loved hung in the balance of his ability to sneak around.
Steady, Liam, he told himself, taking a deep breath to calm his frayed nerves. You’ve faced worse than this. You can handle it.
With a silent command to Ranger to stay put, Liam began to edge closer, his senses on high alert, his heart pounding in his ears. He knew he was walking a razor’s edge, but the stakes were too high to turn back now. He had to find out what Victor was planning, no matter the cost.
The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. The fate of their community, the lives of Emma and his friends, all rested on his ability to uncover the truth and protect those he loved.