Chapter 10
CHAPTER
THAD
As Charley turned, I wondered what she had to grab. She’d only been here twelve days. Longer than most rookies lasted slumming solo, but still, not a lot of time to start a collection.
I looked at Jason. “Stay put. And stay alert, okay?”
Jason nodded. “I’m on it.”
I followed Charley to the edge of the brush.
Watching her move, without warning, my mind flashed back to the moment she’d stepped onto the beach.
She’d stood on the black sand, chin raised, Kevin’s shorts slung low on her hips and his bandana wrapped around her chest, her dark hair whipping around her shoulders, like a kick-ass character from a graphic novel.
I’d been shocked.
Shocked by her looks, shocked by her clothes. I was so shocked that she’d beaten me to the meet-and-greet, which was a first. Her accent was thick, like honey. I liked the way words dripped off her tongue, but what I liked the most right now was that she’d found Kevin’s clothes—just his clothes.
Back in the present, relief and elation slammed through me again, two waves of a tight set, washing away days of worry. You did it, man.
I couldn’t wait to give Natalie the good news. I’d let Jason tell her, I decided. Let him relive it again. And I’d tell Rives about the hyena.
A bamboo lean-to blended into the trees, sleek and impressive.
Beside it, Charley moved slowly. Maybe she was reconsidering coming with us.
When I’d asked her to come to the City, she’d looked at me like I’d asked her to go skinny-dipping.
She wouldn’t be the first to bail on the City, but the thought of her scouting Nil alone made me cold.
She picked up a rock, some green strips, and two coconuts. The coconuts were small and underripe, and I was about to tell her to leave them when she took an odd step sideways.
“Charley, you okay?” I stepped closer, wondering what was up with her.
She didn’t answer.
I hesitated. “Charley?”
She dropped the rock, then the coconuts, like a juggler who’s lost control. Green strips fell like confetti. Charley crumpled to the ground, where her head struck a boulder with a sickening crack.
I ran over, way too late. C’mon, Thad. I wanted to kick my own ass. You can time it better than that.
Charley was out cold. Bright red blood dripped down her temple. I kneeled beside her, not sure what to do. Moving head trauma victims was never a good call, but neither was sending Jason back alone for help. And leaving her here wasn’t an option. It’d be like a sacrifice to Nil.
I picked up Charley, thinking she was too light for someone her height.
Jason came over as I stepped onto the beach. “What happened?” he asked.
“She passed out. Hit her head on a rock.”
“She’s bleeding.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” I scowled at Jason. “Let’s hustle. Watch the tree line. And keep a hand on your spear.”
We strode in silence, retracing our steps. Charley didn’t stir, which scared me.
“Thad, look!” Jason’s shout was excited. “See it? Near the high-tide mark!”
“What?” I panted.
“Gate at two o’clock!”
Now I saw it. Up ahead, glittering air rose from the ground, writhing like a sheet of living ice.
“Go, Jason!” I said. “Run!”
“What?” He looked stunned. “No way! It’s yours!”
“No. I’m taking Charley back. Now go!”
Indecision flickered across Jason’s face.
“Go, dammit! Run!”
He shed his gear, then took off like a shot. Digging deep, arms pumping, Jason bolted like a beach sprint, only this time it was the real deal. Seventy meters out, the iridescent wall of air rolled away from us, racing toward the trees.
“Angle up!” I shouted.
Jason didn’t acknowledge me, but I knew he’d heard. His head stayed down, his feet flying over the black sand.
Run, Jason. Get there. He had the speed, the distance. The angle.
Victory roared in my chest. Jason was less than a meter away.
Then the gate collapsed, dissolving into a shimmering line, then a black dot. And then it was gone.
Only one victory today, Nil teased, shaking her polished finger, her island eyes laughing. Not two.
Jason stood near where the outbound had vanished, his hands on his knees, his chest heaving.
“Any more?” I yelled. My gut said no, the first one was too fast, but you never knew what Nil might have up her designer sleeve.
“Nope. A single,” Jason shouted.
Damn, I thought. Because if it was a double, Jason would make it. But it wasn’t his day. Or mine. Or anyone else’s. It was a single gate, with no takers.
His face flushed from his sprint, Jason strolled back, catching his breath. No need to run now, not for another twenty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes.
Charley’s eyes stayed closed.
“Hang on, Charley,” I murmured. “We’re almost there.”
Leaving the black sand, I wove through the trees, grateful for the shortcut through the cliff.
Almost running but not, I kept one foot on the ground, trying not to jostle Charley.
Soon I saw the ring of A-frames. Close enough to see people by the water, too far for them to hear.
I’d just left the cliff behind when Jason caught up with me, loaded with his gear and mine. And Charley’s.
“Now what?” he huffed.
“Find Natalie,” I said. “Tell her about Kevin and Charley. Tell her we need help. Tell her about Kevin first!”
With a nod, he took off, running almost as fast as when he chased the gate. But this time his head was high, and he was grinning like a fool.
I looked down at Charley. Her golden eyes were still closed.
“Hey, Charley,” I whispered. “Welcome to Nil City.”