Page 22 of Obscurity

The teenager stepped closer, his earlier boredom evaporating. The gaming device disappeared back into his pocket as he studied the documents with growing excitement. “Is this a real-life treasure hunt? Nowthatwould be a fun birthday surprise.”

“Well . . .” Dad winked in a way that made him look like a favorite uncle sharing secrets. “That depends on how competent we are at solving riddles and reading the land. But I have a good feeling about today.”

His voice carried such genuine warmth and confidence that even Olive, who knew better, felt a flutter of possibility.

Maybe this time would be different. Maybe this time, the treasure hunt would be real, the family adventure would be exactly what it appeared to be, and her father’s stories would lead somewhere magical instead of manipulative.

She only wished she could really believe that.

But as she watched Mrs. Henderson’s eyes light up with an excitement that made smart people make foolish decisions, the familiar weight of dread settled in Olive’s chest like a stone.

The mountain air that had seemed so fresh and invigorating moments before now felt thin and insufficient.

It was as if the wilderness itself was holding its breath, waiting to see how this performance would unfold.

Olive couldn’t help but wonder if her dad had planned this whole outing in hopes of running into this family and unleashing another one of his scams.

CHAPTER 13

PRESENT DAY

Olive woke to silence and the scent of pine.

At once, everything slammed back into her mind. The assignment. Seeing her father’s picture. Jason.

Jason . . .

She looked at the floor. His makeshift bed was empty, blankets folded with military precision.

For a moment, panic fluttered in her chest.

Jason never left without telling her, and she prided herself on being a light sleeper who noticed everything.

Just then, the bathroom door opened and released a cloud of steam and the sound of running water being turned off.

Either Olive was really out last night or Jason was extremely light on his feet.

Jason emerged wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, his dark hair damp from the shower.

Her heart lurched into her throat. Even after all these years, the sight of him caught her off guard sometimes—the way his presence filled a room, the easy confidence in his movements, the fact that he looked like he belonged wherever he went.

Keep your emotions in check, she reminded herself sternly.Professional. Distant. Safe.

“Morning.” He avoided her eyes as he packed his toiletries.

“How’d you sleep?” The question came out more stilted than Olive had intended.

“Not great.” He glanced toward the window where she’d seen—or thought she’d seen—the hooded figure last night. “You?”

“Same.” She sat up, pulling the covers around herself like armor. “You ready for this?”

Jason paused from packing. “I’m not sure any of us are ready for whatever we’re walking into out there.”

The honesty in his voice made something twist in her chest.

Olive had never been much of a hiker—her idea of outdoor recreation usually involved surveillance from the comfort of a rental car, not trudging through wilderness with a backpack.

Her father had taken her hiking exactly once, when she was fourteen and they were living in Georgia. That had been a disaster.