Chapter 70
seventy
JO
There’s something about this place that’s making my brain itch.
It’s not quite déjà vu, but I feel like I should recognize it.
I’ve never been here before. I know that much.
It’s just trees and frozen dirt as far as I can tell.
I’m not risking a flashlight or even the light from the phone screen.
The moon was bright enough to show me tire tracks in the snow, but not bright enough for me to see anything else.
There could be men with guns or cameras hidden everywhere for all I know.
I don’t think so since no one has come to look for me.
Although it wouldn’t surprise me if Patrick was waiting for me to come to him, or he could be cocky enough to think no one would find him out here.
But the moon is low in the sky, and the pinks and purples of sunrise are starting behind the trees.
I hate waiting. I’m close to where the tracker is saying Maverick is, and it’s taking every logical cell in my body to stay still.
If I go in there with one gun against who knows what, there’s every chance I'll just get us both killed. I’m not even a good shot.
I’d do better in hand-to-hand combat, but I don’t think I can ask Patrick or anyone else he’s recruited to put down their guns and put up their fists.
My breath puffs out in white clouds as I wait on the chilly Maine morning to begin.
Harrison and the crew are a little over an hour behind me.
Willa called me, not at all surprised, but more annoyed with herself for not noticing I gave them all the slip.
I didn’t tell her to stay away. I knew there would be no point, but I did ask her to let me get closer before they did anything.
She agreed, but I have a feeling Harrison wasn’t part of that agreement, so I need to get as close as I can before he risks himself.
It doesn’t take long for the sun to light up enough of the path for me to follow and confidently see enough to know there are no cameras or people.
I have to resist the urge to run with every step.
There’s a building in the distance, and as I get closer, that itch of familiarity gets stronger.
It’s not until I’m a hundred feet away and the sun has crested the horizon enough to light up the structure that I realize where I am.
Oh. Fuck.