Page 43 of Explorer’s Revenge

THIRTY-EIGHT

MAEVE

T here’s this annoying beeping noise piercing the fog in my brain.

Every time I start to fade back into oblivion, the noise drags me out.

For a moment, I float in the fog, the beep my only companion before it gets louder.

I frown as I try to turn away from it, but something hinders me, further tugging me from that nothingness.

When my eyes finally open, I have to shut them again, the light blinding me and making them water. This time, I take it slowly, blinking them open and letting them adjust to the bright white ceiling above me and the sunlight.

Where am I?

What happened?

Lifting my head, I glance down and see I’m trapped under a thick blanket in what looks like a hospital bed, the sides up to protect me.

I turn my head and find the source of the beeping—machines I’m hooked up to.

The room is unlike any hospital I’ve ever seen, with wooden walls and large windows overlooking a strange city.

It’s beautiful and elegant and definitely private.

Why am I in a hospital?

Did I get hurt?

I try to recall, but everything is hazy.

“Kid, thank fuck you’re awake!” a voice yells, and I turn my head, finding my dad in the doorway in a wheelchair. He rolls quickly toward me, tears in his eyes as he throws himself at me. I stare at him with a frown as he holds me tightly. “I was so worried. Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

“Dad?” My voice is rough, but he hears me, lifting his head. Tears stream down his face. “Hey, I’m okay.”

Shaking his head, he wipes his cheeks and eyes before he helps me sit up and drink some water.

“I’ve never felt such terror in my entire life, Maeve.

When your videos stopped coming, I knew something was wrong.

I went straight to Ajax. Luckily, he believed me and helped me get out here while they sent search and rescue.

I knew something wasn’t right. I could feel it. You would never forget to check in.”

“Where am I?” I ask.

“You don’t remember?” he inquires, appearing worried. “What is the last thing you do remember?”

“I don’t know,” I admit.

“It’s okay. You hit your head pretty hard. You’re going to be okay. We are on the outskirts?—”

“My head!” I exclaim. “My leg, my arm—” I jerk upright despite his hands, and my wide eyes lock on him. “The guys . . . Where are they? Are they okay?”

Everything comes rushing back in stunning clarity, and my heart races, the beeping getting louder.

“Maeve, you need to calm down. You’ve been through a lot. Please lie down. You need to rest,” he pleads.

“I can’t. Where are they? Are they safe?” I swing my legs from the bed then stop. I don’t feel any pain, probably due to whatever medicine they are pumping into me.

I’m in a hospital gown that must have rolled up when I moved, so it exposed my leg. I knew it would be bad, but fortunately, it’s wrapped. I’m just glad I still have it. I test my foot, and when I find it still works, I breathe a sigh of relief.

“The doctor said you were very lucky. They wanted to amputate, but I begged them to try everything else first. I didn’t want to take any opportunities from you.

The meds worked, so you were very fortunate.

” His voice is soft, almost scared. “You’ve been out for almost a week, Maeve.

Your injuries were life-threatening. You might feel better now, but it’s the meds. You need to rest.” He sounds haunted.

The fact that he convinced them not to amputate is a relief, although I could have found a way to live if they had.

It would have been difficult to adjust, and I wouldn’t have let it change anything, but if they could save my leg, then I’m glad they did.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I know you’re scared and worried about me, but I need to know where the guys are. Are they safe?”

If I’ve been out cold for a week, then they have to be here, so why aren’t they? It’s not all in my imagination. We bonded on that island. They wouldn’t let me wake up here alone.

He stares at me, and this pit opens in my stomach, but then the sliding of the door grabs our attention.

“I heard you’re awake.” I glance up as a heavily accented man in a suit walks in. My dad glares at him but says nothing. “We need to ask some questions?—”

“Ajax said when she’s ready, which isn’t now,” my dad snaps protectively, angling himself before me.

“Questions? I have my own. Where are they?” I ask.

He has to be a policeman or an investigator or something, considering the badge on his shoulder. He shares a look with my dad and sighs. “Miss Carter?—”

“Cut the shit. Where are they?” I demand.

“We only found you.” The words echo in my head. I see his lips moving as he continues to speak, but his answer is the only thing I hear.

We only found you.

It’s impossible. They were right there.

I try to focus on his words, but I interrupt whatever spiel he is giving me. “How? They were right there with me.”

“I’m very sorry. Our team searched for hours, and we didn’t see anything. If they were there, they are most likely dead. The weather grew too bad for us to carry on, so we had no choice but to pull back.”

“Is the storm still going?” I ask, my heart barely beating at the idea of them being there alone.

They aren’t dead. I know it.

“It passed a few hours ago,” he answers.

“Then why are you here? Get back out there!” I yell, falling from the bed. They both lunge toward me and help me back up. “They are alive, dammit!” I rip myself from their arms. “Get your ass back out there and find them.”

“Maeve.” The voice breaks through my panic, and I look up to see Ajax hurrying toward me. “I’m so glad you’re okay. We were so worried?—”

“Get your crew back out there and find them,” I order him, and Ajax looks around before realizing what’s happening.

“We will when the weather is better. Only a crazy person would head back out there in this storm, but Maeve, you need to prepare. They are now looking for bodies,” Ajax cautions, wincing.

“They are alive,” I hiss. “You know that better than I do. They wouldn’t die so easily.”

“Maeve,” Ajax murmurs.

“Enough!” my father roars, and everyone falls silent. “I thought my daughter was dead for what felt like a lifetime, but now she’s here, and she needs to rest. This can wait. Out. Now.”

“Of course,” Ajax replies. “Rest, Maeve. We will handle everything, so focus on getting better.” He lays his hand on the other guy’s arm, who nods, and both head out. I slump back before looking at my father, who’s staring at me.

“Daddy,” I begin, and he holds up his hand.

“I know what you’re going to say, kid. I know you better than anyone. You’re stubborn, relentless, and stupid, but not this time. Get back in bed,” he orders.

“I have to get out of here. We have to go back,” I beg.

“Maeve, Maeve, Maeve,” he says.

“We have to get the search team—” I need him to understand.

“Maeve!” I freeze at his bellow. “I almost lost you. I thought my daughter was dead and I would never know what happened or find your body. I wasn’t there, and I nearly lost you. I will not lose you again. Get back in bed.”

My lip quivers as my eyes blur with tears. “Dad, I can’t leave them.”

“I nearly lost you. Do you understand that? Do you understand that I didn’t know if you were alive or dead?

That fear will never go away. I blamed myself for taking you on that first adventure.

I ripped myself apart over and over, and when they found you, I still could have lost you.

Maeve, please, don’t ask this of me. I almost lost you once, and I can’t risk losing you again. ”

The pain on his face tears me to shreds, and despite my injuries and the machines, I sink to my knees before him, covering his hands as my tears fall.

“Dad, I know you’re scared,” I whisper as I wipe away his tears, feeling his other hand shake in mine.

“I am too, but I’m more scared of what type of person I would be if I got back in bed and didn’t try.

They saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without them.

I would be dead. They are my team, Dad. I can’t leave them out there.

I owe them, so I have to try. If anyone can survive, it’s them.

Please don’t ask me to leave them when they wouldn’t leave me. ”

He searches my eyes. “And if it gets you killed?” he snaps, his eyes glassy with tears.

“Then I’ll die knowing I did everything I could, but I couldn’t live with myself if I never tried.

You don’t know them like I do. If there’s a chance, then they will be there.

They will be alive. They are fighters just like us.

I’m sorry to break your heart, Daddy, but I wouldn’t be who you raised me to be if I got back in this bed. I can’t lose them.”

“You’re asking me to let you go back to the place that almost took you from me,” he croaks.

“I’m asking you to help me go back to that place and save the people who fought with me when I was injured, who carried me on their backs through storms and attacks to save my life. I’m asking you to let me save them the way they saved me. I’m asking you, Dad, to trust me to come back again.”

His head bows, and I press mine against his as his shoulders shake.

I try to bite back my tears, but I can’t.

Seeing my father so broken is not something I thought I would ever witness.

He didn’t even cry when he got his diagnosis, but as he lifts his head, I know this experience has changed him.

It scarred him. I can’t even imagine how he endured the worry and pain, and I wish I could stay here to ease that, but each moment I waste is another one they could be hurt or killed.

Wilder promised we would get off that island together. He broke it, so I’m going to find his ass and make him pay.

“They’ll never let you out of the hospital,” he murmurs, and my heart soars, knowing he’s giving me his blessing. “It’s on lockdown. Everyone wants your statement and picture. It’s worldwide press.”

“Then I guess I’ll need help.” I smile, and he purses his lips before blowing out a breath.

“I guess it’s time for one last adventure,” he mutters as his hands find mine. “Are you sure? You’re still recovering?—”

“They would come for me,” I tell him as I kiss his knuckles. “If anyone can save them, it’s me. You know that. Now, how the hell do we get me out of here? And clothes . . . I need underwear. There’s no way I’m going on a rescue mission with my beaver in the breeze.”

He laughs, and I smile with him.

We’ll be okay. Now, I just need to find the guys.

I talk a big game, but fear lingers.

What if I’m too late?