Page 45 of Explorer’s Revenge
FORTY
MAEVE
“ Y ou owe me, kid,” my dad grumbles before he opens the door and rolls out.
I wait behind it, dressed in clothes and gear he managed to get for me.
I shouldn’t be surprised, since my dad is resourceful and knows exactly what I need.
I wear cargos, boots with two pairs of socks, a long Henley, and a waterproof jacket.
He also managed to gather food, water, and ropes, amongst other supplies, everything I’ll need to survive on the island.
He doesn’t like what I’m doing, but he’s making sure I have the best chance at succeeding, and I love him for that.
I hear his wheels on the clean tile floor as he rounds a corner, putting our plan into action when I hear a crash then yelling.
“Help me! Help me!” he shouts, and then there’s running.
Sliding the door open, I peek out to see him groaning as he lies on the floor, his wheelchair tipped.
The police officer who was outside waiting to speak to me is at his side, along with nurses and doctors.
Smirking, I wave at him and hurry down the corridor, breaking into a sort of run, the only limping type I can manage, when I hit the stairs and descend.
He already gave me the hospital’s layout.
Luckily, the island we’re on is the one I started on before all this, so I know my way around well enough to get out of here.
I escape the hospital with no trouble and tug on my hat.
My leg still aches, as does my shoulder, but I got some pain meds and an antibiotic shot before I left—we assured it—which should keep me going for now.
I could head to the marina, but I need to get there faster, and if the island is still flooded, then boats might not travel there.
That leaves air.
I manage to hitch a ride in a car with a local, and they drop me off outside the small airfield. I stride through the private bays and hangars, looking for what I need, and I find it on the back row.
The red helicopter looks like it’s seen better days and clearly belongs to a tour guide. Rushing over to the guy in a big hat and floral shirt, I tap his shoulder. “Excuse me.”
“Jesus.” He spins, placing his hand on his heart. He’s a bigger man and middle-aged, with wrinkled skin from sun and time, but he looks nice. “No tours today,” he tells me in fragmented English.
“I don’t need a tour.” I pull out a wad of cash, and his eyes widen as he reaches for it. “I need a private trip to this island.” I show him the GPS, and he holds up his hands as I pull out another wad of cash. “You get both if we leave now.”
“Now?” Scratching his head, he looks around. “The storm only just settled. We aren’t supposed to be flying—” I pull out more cash, and he grins. “But who am I to deny your rights? Let’s go.”
Ajax would help if I fought hard enough, but I don’t have time for that. I need to get to them as quickly as possible, so this is the best way. He’ll come after me, and when he does, I need to be with the guys.
The pilot takes my bag and helps me into the other seat, and I settle in, putting my headset on while he completes his checks.
By the time we are in the air, it’s already midmorning, so I won’t have long to find them once we arrive.
The island is dangerous during the day, but in the dark, it’s a nightmare.
I need to find them before the sun sets, and then we’ll get the hell out of there.
The flight seems longer than before, but I think that’s just because I’m anxious to get there, worried they are in danger. I’ve already been gone too long. What if I’m too late?
I can’t afford to consider that, though, so I focus on checking my equipment repeatedly until the island comes into view.
Leaning against the window, I notice the water has retreated, which is good.
That means they have land, but it also means it’s going to be harder to find them.
If the water washed them inland, they could be stuck.
“There’s nowhere for me to land,” he says into the mic.
“That’s fine, I’ll jump. Get lower.” I unfasten my belt and climb to the door as he curses in his native tongue.
“You’re crazy!” he yells, and I grin at him.
“I am, and when men in big trucks come looking for me, tell them where you dropped me as quickly as you can. When I get back, I’ll give you more money than you could ever dream of.
” I slip my bag on my front and open the door.
The wind instantly whips me, and I wrap my arms around my bag as I scoot to the edge.
Ignoring my aches and pains, I nod at the pilot as he gets as low as he dares, and then I leap from the helicopter, keeping my legs straight.
The impact as I hit the water isn’t too bad. I swim to the surface as quickly as I can and watch as he ascends again, observing me from his window. I salute him and swim toward shore.
When it’s shallow enough for me to stand, I wade onto the beach, and my boots sink into the sand as I swing my bag around and strap it on, removing my hunting rifle just to be safe.
By now, my dad will have told Ajax the truth and shared GPS coordinates, and he’ll no doubt be scrambling to come after us.
The clock is ticking, so with no time to spare, I head toward the jungle.
It looks completely different than it did before.
Our shelter is gone, the trees are bent and stripped raw, and debris lines the beach, a reminder of the killer wave that swept in and stole us away.
It means whatever markers we left are probably gone as well, so with nothing else to do, I simply head into the jungle with my compass and GPS and hope I can find them.
I won’t stop until I do.