Page 18 of Explorer’s Revenge

SEVENTEEN

MERRICK

I wake with the sun hitting my face and roll over, only to fall from my hammock. I hit the ground with a thump and hiss as I rub at my eyes, then I glance over at the others to see them waking as well.

My eyes land on Way’s bunk and widen. His arms are wrapped around Aiyaret, both of them huddled together. Aiy lifts his head groggily and looks around. When he meets my gaze, I look away with a knowing smile. I’m glad my brother is finally moving forward.

I say nothing as the others stir, not wanting to draw attention to it. I know Way and Aiy have been getting closer. Way is the only one who is able to comfort and calm him down, but it isn’t any of our business unless they say it is.

“Going to be a hot one,” I grouse to Aiy as I sit at his side by the campfire. I feel his eyes on me. He’s worried about what I’ll ask when I meet his gaze. “Let’s start breakfast while they wake up.”

He nods, and we work together out of habit.

Aiy relaxes over time when I don’t say anything, and when breakfast is served and everyone else is walking over, I slap his shoulder gently.

“Don’t overthink too much, brother. It isn’t good for the soul,” I whisper to him before handing a metal tray to Wilder.

Aiy hands one to Way, who slumps next to him after going to the bathroom, and for a moment, their eyes meet and something passes between them. I have the insane urge to squeal, but I feel like I’m intruding, so I turn to Logan and steal a forkful of his oatmeal.

“Hey,” he grumbles around a mouthful.

“Yours looks nicer.” I shrug, and his eyes narrow. Before I know it, I’m tackled to the ground. Our oatmeal is forgotten as we roll across the leaves, slapping and kicking each other. Wilder simply steps over us and heads to the fire, and we finally roll to a stop.

“Truce?” I suggest.

“Fine,” Logan mutters, and then he offers me a hand up and we walk over to the fire, grabbing our breakfast and eating.

“So what’s the plan, boss man?” I ask Wilder, eyeing Aiy and Way, who are in their own little world, their heads bent together as they eat. A small smile curves my brother’s lips before he clears his throat.

“I want to cover at least four miles. It’s a hard hike today. No stops if we can help it.”

We groan, but Wilder just grins like a psychopath. “If we can, then we will be at the center of the island by tomorrow, and the real fun will begin.”

“Wilder,” Logan whines, and we press our faces together, wearing pouts we’ve practiced a million times.

“Wilder,” I echo. “Can’t we have some fun?”

His eyes narrow as he glances between us, knowing he’s fighting a losing battle. “Like what?” he mutters.

“Merrick and I saw a waterfall not far from here last night. Can we play there for a bit, maybe do some rock climbing and diving?” Logan asks, and I nod.

“It will be good for footage. Ajax will like it,” I add.

“They are right,” Way says, and Wilder sighs, a sound that lets me know we won.

“Fine, but only if you’re ready to go in ten minutes.”

Our whoops of joy fill the air as we scramble to pack.

You bet your ass we were ready in nine minutes, and Wilder reluctantly let Logan and I lead the way to the waterfall we found.

It doesn’t take long, and we dump our packs along the boulders at the edge.

It’s not overly large, not like the one we found in New Zealand, but it’s pretty with sparkling, clear water crashing over rocks.

Wilder checks the perimeter and water before nodding at us. “Fine, have at it.” He knows better than to fight us.

Logan and I share a look and rip off our shirts, laughing as we race toward the water’s edge and dive in. I hit first, and when I surface, I push my hair back and grin at Logan. “First up the wall wins first pick of the annual vacation spot,” I call.

“Deal. Cheater!” he shouts as I dive under and swim hard toward the back.

When I break through, I waste no time grabbing the rock there and hauling myself up.

It’s slippery, and when I start to climb, I hear a splash.

Glancing back, I chuckle as I realize Logan plummeted back into the water.

Focusing on the wall, I move swiftly, climbing as high as I can, but I soon hear Logan behind me, and when I crest the edge, he is just seconds away.

When we reach the top, we are both panting and grinning. I wave at Wilder, who’s at the bottom, shirtless and filming us. Way and Aiy watch us with twin looks of amusement and incredulity.

“Together?” I look at Logan and hold out my hand.

“Always.” He slaps his palm in mine, and we take a running leap, jumping off.

I feel weightless as we plummet, our laughter echoing around the jungle until it is swallowed by crystal-clear water. When we kick to the surface, I can’t help but smile. “Come on, it’s fun!” I call to the others. “Wilder, Wilder, Wilder,” I chant.

His eyes narrow as Logan joins in, then Way and Aiy.

“Fuck it, fine.” He kicks off his pants and boots, placing the camera on the portable tripod before he heads toward the wall.

We turn to watch him as he quickly and effortlessly scales it, moving so fast he’s a blur.

It’s his specialty, and it’s always impressive.

No matter how much we try, we can never beat him.

At the top, he gives us a wave and then turns around, the real Wilder coming out to play when he flips backwards. We shout in encouragement, and when he hits the water, he splashes all of us.

His head appears, and he’s grinning. “Don’t you dare!” I yell before I’m yanked under.

Everyone’s laughter filters to me while Wilder fights me underwater. Despite it, I can’t stop smiling. It’s rare for my brother to let go, but I love seeing this side of him.

We play for hours, competing in diving and swimming, picking crazier paths up and down until we collapse onto the boulders at the side to dry off before we head into the jungle.

“Hey, did you see this?” Aiyaret calls, and we stride over, Wilder tugging his shirt on as he goes.

“What?” he asks as Aiy points at the ground where he’s crouched. “Am I crazy or are those . . . footsteps? Human ones?”

We turn to where he’s pointing. He’s right.

The tracks are maybe a few days old, but distinct.

Those are human footsteps on a deserted island where we are supposed to be the only people here.

“Well, shit just got interesting,” I mutter.

Wilder does not look happy, his eyes scanning the jungle. “He’s right. Those are human. We need to be extra careful. If someone is here, then they might not be happy we are as well.”

“Oh, come on,” Logan mutters. “It could be an animal.”

“It’s a boot,” I scoff.

“Wilder is right. We need to be careful,” Way murmurs, and they share a look. I know fun time is over. They’ll be anxious about this all day now—hell, all trip.

It does make me curious. If someone else is on this island, then why?

Do they live here?

Are they after the same thing?

If they are, what happens if we get in their way?

It’s clear Wilder is having the same thoughts because he stalks back to his bag, dresses, then turns to us.

“Alright, playtime is over,” Wilder states, studiously ignoring the tracks, none of us wanting to read too much into what it means. “Time to hike.”

Our groans fill the air, even as he smiles sadistically at us.