Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
I’d reluctantly agreed, though every instinct screams it’s a mistake. The caves beyond Benson Hut and into Soda Springs are a death trap in the best conditions, even without throwing feral people into the mix. With them hunting us, following us…it’s suicide.
But I owe Aubrey this. I failed Lainey. I won’t fail Aubrey too, even if it means following her into the darkness. I’ll be there to protect her, or die trying.
Heavy footsteps on the stairs announce the others waking. Cole descends first, hair matted from sleep, followed by Red and Eli. Their expressions are grim, the reality of Hank’s disappearance weighing on all of us.
Because of course, he’s still gone, and his absence is heavy.
“Coffee,” Cole mutters, making a beeline for the pot.
Red stretches, joints popping. “Some night. Never thought I’d be glad to see dawn in this place.”
“Everything went fine during the night?” Eli asks. His gaze bounces between me and Aubrey, curious. She’s very obviously ignoring me. I try to give him a look that says that I told her everything and he gives me a subtle, sympathetic nod.
“We need to pack up,” I announce, after everyone’s had time for coffee and a quick breakfast of instant oatmeal. “Hit the trail back to the ranch before the snow gets too soft. Could mean early avalanches.”
“About damn time,” Red says, already gathering his gear. “Should’ve headed back yesterday.”
Cole nods his agreement. “Whole trip’s been pointless. No offense, ma’am,” he adds to Aubrey. “But your sister’s long gone, one way or another.”
A flash of pain crosses Aubrey’s face, though it’s quickly masked. “I’m not going back yet,” she says, her voice steady despite the strain in her posture. “We’re continuing to Benson Hut.”
The room goes still, all eyes turning to her.
“No way in hell,” Red says flatly. “Hank’s gone. Probably dead. We’re not sticking around for whatever got him to come back for seconds and thirds.”
“I agree with Red,” Cole adds with a frown. “It’s not safe up here. I say we cut our losses and head back.”
“Then you two go back,” Aubrey says with steely determination. “Jensen and I will continue on.”
I give the others a pointed look. “Well. It’s your choice. You can come with or go back. I won’t judge what you need to do.”
“You’re seriously going on to Benson Hut?” Red demands, stepping toward me with challenge in his stance. “After what we found in the snow? After Hank’s blood trail leading into those trees? Are you out of your goddamn mind, McGraw?”
“Never felt more sane,” I volley back, my shoulders rising. “You want to give up and go back, that’s fine with me. But we’re going and hopefully we can find Hank along the way.”
Cole lets out a bitter laugh. “So much for not judging! So what, we’re the cowards that rode home so you can play hero? Fuck that. Hey, maybe I’ll run into Marcus when I’m back at the ranch, let him know what you’re getting paid.”
The tension in the room ratchets higher, the fear and anger of the past night boiling to the surface. I see Eli shift his weight to stand between me and Red.
The confrontation hovers on a knife’s edge—
Then a sound stops us cold. A heavy pounding on the cabin door, three solid blows that reverberate through the room.
We all freeze. Eli reaches for his shotgun, leveling it at the door.
“Who the hell…” Red whispers.
The pounding comes again, more insistent this time.
I move cautiously toward the door, my own pistol drawn now. “Who’s there?” I call, voice tight with tension.
“It’s me, boss! Open up! It’s colder than a witch’s tit out here!”
That voice. Impossible, but unmistakable.
“Hank?” I call out, disbelief making my voice crack.
“Course it’s me! Who the hell else would be out in this frozen wasteland? Now open the damn door before my balls fall off!”
I glance back at the others, their faces mirroring my shock. Slowly, keeping my gun at the ready, I slide back the bolt and crack open the door.
Hank stands on the porch, snow crusted on his boots and pants, nose red from cold, but otherwise looking perfectly fine. Unharmed. Whole.
And maybe a little annoyed.
“Jesus Christ, finally,” he mutters, pushing past me into the warmth of the cabin. “Thought y’all were gonna leave me out there to freeze.”
The room erupts in exclamations—Cole and Red surrounding Hank with questions, Eli hanging back with open suspicion, Aubrey watching the scene with wide, confused eyes.
“Where the hell have you been?” I demand, shutting the door and securing the bolt. “We searched for you last night. Found your blood trail leading into the trees.”
Hank blinks at me, then laughs—a harsh sound that raises the hair on my arms. “Blood trail? What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb,” Red snaps. “You’ve been missing since last night. We thought you were dead.”