56. Chapter 56
Kate
The ocean breeze rustles my hair as I soak in the views. This is probably the nicest place we’ve stayed in.
Technically, it isn’t ours nor are we allowed to be here.
It’s a ghost town out here, and will be until it gets warm.
With summer not yet upon us, the affluent families have not made it to their vacation homes for the season.
It was easier than we expected to disable the cameras and the security system.
Michelle navigated the helicopter like a professional, though it didn’t stop my nerves. We were leaving the island, the virus, and our lives behind without a single idea of what to do next.
As she landed the chopper on an empty beach, we picked the first house we saw.
My fingers glide across deck railing as Jordan scouts for cameras in the home. I scan the horizon as if I can see where we left, where my brother is stuck.
My chest feels tight, my breathing shallow. I have to let him go, but I don’t even think I know how.
“It’s clear,” Jordan informs me from behind. I don’t bother trying to compose myself as I turn to her.
Her face immediately becomes soft, understanding, as she strides to me and pulls me into her arms, stroking my hair gently. “I know,” she tells me.
“This place has a walk-in shower,” Michelle hoots, and Jordan and I break apart. My friend is grinning ear-to-ear, seemingly still riding the high of flying. But one look at us and she sobers a bit. “How long do you think we can stay here?”
“Maybe a month or two,” Jordan answers. “This town will be packed once it gets warm.”
“And what do we do now?” I wonder.
“You brought Parker’s notebook, right?” Michelle prompts. “We should release it.”
“To whom?” I scoff, my temper already rising up. “Do you think anyone will really care?”
Michelle shrugs. “I don’t know, but we can’t move on with our lives like it never happened.”
“She’s right,” Jordan interjects. “We have the evidence.” She cradles my face in her hands. “But we don’t have to do anything right this second.”
“I always need to be doing something,” I argue weakly.
Jordan shakes her head. “Not now. Not today.”
We hold each other’s gaze, locking together. I hear Michelle’s boots against the floorboards; I’m assuming to use that huge shower she mentioned. “Who will even believe us?” I whisper, dread sluicing through me. “It’s our word against everyone else’s.”
“We’ll deal with that when it’s time,” she soothes, thumbs softly caressing my cheeks. “But for now, we’re safe. We’re together.”
Her words help relax me, bringing my mind back from the brink of panic.
She presses her forehead against mine. “We’re together,” I repeat, though something still nags at me. We’re together, but for how long? I can’t be without Jordan.
Color catches my attention in my periphery. Pulling back, I see a small butterfly has landed on my shoulder. Delicate wings flutter as it rests.
A small gasp escapes me as I catch Jordan’s eye, whose eyes are darting between us. “I think we’re going to be okay,” she tells me.
Something shifts in my chest.
Pressing up on my tiptoes, I place a kiss on Jordan’s cheek. As the butterfly departs, I know what I need to do.