Page 24

Not a single member of the security team wanted to chance it. I had other ideas.

“I think the bridge could hold us if we went one or two at a time,” I said. “Cressida should be just over that ridge right there, in the valley on the other side.”

Ryker looked at me quizzically. He grasped one of the long cables in his hands. It was so thick that his fingers didn’t quite close around it. With all his strength, he tried to shake it, but it hardly moved. It swayed slightly, but it was still solid despite the years of decay all around it.

We could make it.

“I think she’s right,” he agreed. “It’s not ideal but walking down to the south ridge would probably take a few days. We only have the supplies on our back, which might not be enough for an extended journey like that.”

I unclasped the belt from my waist and hung my canteen around my neck.

I said nothing as I strode over to the bridge.

There were four of those long, corded steel lines that bridged the ravine, two underfoot inside of the rusted struts, and one on each side at about waist level, apparently what was left of the siderails from long ago.

Ryker grasped my waist when I stepped forward onto the two at my feet just in case.

Quickly, I clasped the belt around the right-hand cable.

I looped my arm through it and took a step forward once I felt steady, keeping my weight on my heels should I need to launch myself back to the safety of the ground behind me.

The bridge held strong.

“Careful,” Ryker shouted.

I took another tentative step forward, but still the bridge remained steady.

I slid my belt along, using it as an extra source of balance.

It was impossible not to look down, but I found that if I took it slow and steady while focusing on just how strong the steel cables were, I could keep myself calm.

The forest was silent aside from my focused breathing, the only audible sounds were the wind and the rushing water far below.

It was beautiful in a terrifying sort of way.

Eventually, I made it close enough to the other side to start picking up speed. When I was only a few feet away, I made the leap and breathed a sigh of relief when I landed safely on the other side.

Carefully, I unclasped my belt from the cable, securing it back around my waist where it belonged.

I looked back to see that Ryker was already halfway across the gorge.

He took each step with determination, and I smiled to see that he’d used his belt as an additional source of balance just like I had.

He moved a bit more hastily and his foot slipped.

“Slow and steady!” I shouted in a panic.

His arms flexed hard, his muscles striking in the sunlight. He recovered, but I couldn’t shake my fear until he finally stepped onto the ground beside me.

“You’re the one that told me to be careful,” I scolded. I felt almost weak with relief.

“I know, little girl. I’m here,” he said. The rest of the security team had yet to brave the bridge, and I knew his voice wouldn’t carry. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I kept myself still instead.

“That was a smart idea. Using the belt like that,” he added. The note of pride in his voice made me tingle.

“Thanks,” I blushed.

“It’s not how I like to use my belt typically…

” he teased, and I laughed. Immediately, the fear and tension from seeing him slip melted away.

His hand slid across my shoulder and gently squeezed the back of my neck.

From far away, it would simply look like a friendly touch, but it didn’t feel that way.

“Come,” he demanded. We climbed down the slope just a little bit, far enough to get out of eyeshot of Seth and his team. Ryker grasped the back of my neck, roughly pulling me to him and capturing my lips in a kiss so intoxicating it stole my breath away.

“You were so brave, Dr. Vaughn,” he finally whispered.

“You too, Mr. Gates,” I sassed.

I shivered in his arms and glanced back up over the hill.

“Thank you for the kiss. I needed that,” I whispered.

“I did too,” he answered. Reluctantly, he let me go and we both climbed up to see that Seth had made it halfway.

Vince looked like he was preparing to go next.

I stood close to the edge and rallied them onward.

When Seth stepped onto solid ground once more, a look of relief washed over his face immediately.

“Nice job,” I grinned.

“Thanks,” he said quickly, almost like he was annoyed that I’d said anything at all. I turned away and leaned against one of the thicker tree trunks.

Vince, Roger, Brandon, and Martin all made it across without incident. Jamie had made it most of the way across when a strong breeze cut through the corridor. It rattled the bridge, and it creaked dangerously.

“Hold on!”

His eyes opened wide with panic. His fingers gripped the cable so hard, the white of his knuckles was visible even from this distance.

His balance wavered, but he soon steadied himself. I looked up into the sky, horrified to see that in the time it had taken for all of us to cross, black storm clouds had rolled in above our heads. A big fat raindrop splattered on my forehead.

Jamie’s eyes widened even further in fear, and he started to move faster.

It was far too hasty and within moments, he slipped and fell.

The belt around his arm kept him from falling to his death, but he was dangling there with his legs swaying in the wind and seemed to be frozen with fear.

I knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold on like that for very long.

I flung my backpack down to the ground, knowing what I needed to do.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I reached for Ryker’s belt. He grabbed my upper arm and jerked me backwards.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he yelled in my face.

“I’m the lightest. The bridge will hold me and him. I’m sure of it,” I exclaimed.

Without waiting for his permission, I unbuckled his belt and yanked it from his pants, running forward and looping it around left-hand bridge cable.

I whipped my own from my jeans and buckled it around the other side.

Ryker had run with me, practically seething and still holding my arm, but he didn’t stop me. His eyes burned with his reluctance

“I can do this,” I yelled out, a crack of thunder drowning out my words as soon as they left my lips.

With a heavy sigh, his fingers slowly released me.

“You be careful, little one. Don’t do anything foolish,” he warned. I swallowed hard. There was nothing in his expression indicating that any of that was said in jest, so I nodded quickly, letting him know I understood. I glanced down at the belt and back at him.

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“Come back to me,” he whispered. His voice shook with emotion, and I tried not to think too much into it.

“I will. I promise,” I answered, just loud enough for him to hear me.

I turned back to the bridge, gripping both handholds as I slid forward.

Each step was deliberate but quick—I didn’t have time to waste.

Jamie’s time was growing short. He was hanging by one arm, his body swinging in the wind, panic written all over his face.

He had made it about two-thirds of the way across, but the journey ahead still seemed impossibly long.

Carefully, I unbuckled one belt, knelt down, and looped it around the lower cable. The cables swayed beneath me, and I shifted my weight to keep steady. Holding the loop open for him, I shouted against the rising wind, “Swing your other arm through the belt! You’ve got this!”

Jamie’s wild eyes met mine as his legs swung helplessly. He managed to hook his arm into the second loop, clinging with sheer desperation.

“Use your legs! Don’t waste all your energy on your arms!” I called out. The wind drowned out my voice, but he seemed to hear. He kicked his right leg up, catching the cable with his ankle.

It creaked ominously, but I knew it would hold.

“Now pull yourself up!” I yelled, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.

He tried—but his wet hand slipped at the last moment. Before I could think, I threw myself forward, grabbing his flailing hand with both of mine. The belt cut into my arm, but it held firm. My muscles screamed as I yanked him up far enough for him to catch the other belt loop.

This time, he made it. He clung to the cable, panting, his feet finally finding purchase. I adjusted the belt, securing his hold, and turned around to face him, putting my back to our destination.

“We’re almost there. Take a deep breath, Jamie. You got this. Look at my eyes,” I shouted. Jamie’s eyes were now laser focused on me, but he was obviously still panicked.

“Keep your knees bent and soft. Use both loops. Don’t move until you feel stable,” I added.

He sucked in a big breath and slowly blew it out.

“It’s not that much farther. Stay with me,” I coached. I slid my feet backwards, using the one belt while Jamie used two. We made it all the way to the other side safely. Just as I was about to step off the bridge, a pair of strong arms wound around my waist and pulled me back.

“Ryker! I’m fine,” I scoffed, and his arms squeezed a bit.

Jamie stumbled onto the ground beside me, breathing heavy and throwing himself down flat on his back in sheer relief to have made it.

He stared at the sky with dilated pupils, and I could see the pounding of his heart through his tight t-shirt.

Ryker’s face was unreadable.

“Why don’t we find cover and make our way to Cressida when the rain stops,” I suggested.

His grip around my waist finally loosened.

“I’m alright,” I added, and he nodded, finally releasing me from his grasp. He looked around like he was remembering that he was in front of others for the first time and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down noticeably.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he mumbled, the emotion still obvious in his tone. Luckily, Jamie’s panting was enough to cover it up. I grabbed my backpack and slung it back over my shoulders.

“Let’s go,” I called out. Ryker followed, his expression pensive.

I kept my eyes on the ground, watching for loose rock or slick mud.

Eventually, we found a spot that was partially covered by a rock overhang and waited out the rain in silence.

I found myself glancing at him from time to time, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

When he happened to catch me looking, my heart swelled.

It was enough to make me wonder… What if?

I struck the thought from my mind almost as quickly as it had come. He cocked an eyebrow, probably catching the odd look on my own face, but I said nothing.

When the rain finally stopped, it was late in the afternoon.

Ryker suggested we keep moving and I took up my spot behind him as he returned to his role in the lead.

We climbed down the other side of the ridge into a gentle valley.

He pulled out a compass and a few instruments, pausing several times until he got a good idea of our coordinates.

We stumbled on a clearing a short time later. In the center of it was a crumbling two-story building. There was a single concrete sign that must have been readable long ago, but the only discernable carved letter on it was a C.

We’d found Cressida Labs.