Page 61 of Surviving Love

Rick looked past us at our shelter. “You did the right thing by hunkering down and not trying to cross the river during the storm.”

Jack nodded. “We knew it was too risky.”

“So, you boys ready to get the heck out of here?” Rick asked.

“More than ready,” I said, moving toward the others.

“Let’s do it.” Jack hesitated. “I’m just going to grab the machete.”

“Meet us down at the creek,” Rick said, turning on his heel.

I waited for Jack, and then we followed the others down to the creek. The waters had definitely calmed. The creek was still much higher and rougher, but there was far less debris than the day before.

There was a group of men on the other side, and Rick and his guys tossed lines and set up a pulley system so that we could traverse the rough water safely. Jack went first, which I was glad of. If he thought it was too dangerous, I knew he’d say so.

The rain had finally stopped, and the sun poked through the gray clouds as Jack waded into the water. It took about five minutes for him to get across the creek, and then it was my turn. Heart pounding, I let Rick attach the harness on me.

“You’ll be fine, Mason,” Jack called out. “It looks way worse than it is.”

“Okay.” I swallowed hard and walked slowly into the swirling brown water. I grabbed the thick line and pulled myself through the water. My foot slipped a few times on the uneven, sludgy bottom, but thanks to the ropes, I stayed upright.

“Keep going,” Rick yelled. “Don’t stop.”

I shivered and coughed when the water splashed up into my face. Spitting out muddy water, I kept moving. Jack had made it look so easy, but I was being tossed around a lot more. Eventually, I neared the edge, and Jack was the first person to grab hold of me. He practically hauled me out of the water, and then the others joined us and unhooked me from the safety harness.

Jack slapped my back. “Good job.”

“Thanks.” I rubbed my face, feeling grit on my cheeks from the filthy water.

“Appreciate you coming for us,” Jack said, shaking Rick’s hand.

“Our pleasure.” Rick laughed. “Sorry we couldn’t get to you sooner.”

Jack smiled. “No problem. We kept ourselves amused.”

My face warmed at his casual comment. It would have been pretty awkward if Rick and his pals had arrived hours earlier to find us…amusingourselves.

“The Karangalan tribe was worse off than yours. Their beach isn’t as sheltered. Some of my guys are going to help them rebuild their shelter. Shep felt bad for them,” Rick said.

Jack laughed. “He felt sorry for them? I didn’t think Shep had a heart. My guess is he didn’t want them to quit the show.”

Rick grinned. “It’s like you know Shep or something.”

“You can tell this show is his life. Can’t blame him for not wanting anyone to quit. Nobody is going to watch a show with just Mason and me.” Jack smirked. “The show needs lots of different personalities to entertain the audience.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Rick pointed toward a muddy path to the left. “Me and the boys are going this way. Good luck in the game, you two.”

“Thanks again for coming to get us.” Jack shook Rick’s hand.

Rick and his crew waved and headed down the other trail, and Jack and I continued on the path that led toward our camp.

As we neared, I smelled smoke. “That’s a promising scent,” I said.

“Definitely.”

We came out of the trees and found camp buzzing with activity. Sherry and Harold were cooking something over the fire, and the others sat around them talking. When they noticed us, they all started clapping and cheering.

“You’re alive,” Harold crowed, striding over to us. He hugged us and then stood back, studying us. “You two look pretty thrashed.”